SB2C-5 (France) - Revision history

U38088265: /* Description */

2024-01-07T22:07:58Z

‎Description

U120313908: /* Description */ updated to new description

2023-12-23T06:02:09Z

‎Description: updated to new description

U38088265: /* Defensive armament */ Updated

2023-10-21T20:12:14Z

‎Defensive armament: Updated

U38088265: /* Suspended armament */

2023-10-21T20:10:13Z

‎Suspended armament

U38088265: /* Suspended armament */ Updated

2023-10-21T20:08:14Z

‎Suspended armament: Updated

U38088265: /* Suspended armament */ Updated

2023-06-18T11:01:31Z

‎Suspended armament: Updated

U44629479: Edits

2023-05-03T18:58:11Z

Edits

U12017485: /* Suspended armament */ Updated, added names that can be found on the modifications screen and added info related to both: grind and naval battles.

2023-05-03T13:18:15Z

‎Suspended armament: Updated, added names that can be found on the modifications screen and added info related to both: grind and naval battles.

U38088265: /* Suspended armament */

2022-12-10T13:38:07Z

‎Suspended armament

U44629479: Edits

2022-08-22T21:27:22Z

Edits

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver entered service with the US Navy in 1942, it replaced the SBD Dauntless, it was a much larger aircraft, that was capable of carrying much larger payloads, for this task, it was powered by the R-2600 Twin Cyclone engine and featured an internal bomb bay for reduced drag. However the Helldiver was not really successful, due to its poor survivability, and in many cases the F6F Hellcat fighter bomber was capable of doing the same taks. France purchased 110 SB2C-5 Helldivers in 1949 in replacement of their own SBD Dauntless dive bombers, this aircraft were used up until 1958 serving in the French Navy aboard aircraft carriers, and saw only combat in the First Indochina War.
+The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver entered service with the US Navy in 1942, replacing the SBD Dauntless. It was a much larger aircraft that was capable of carrying much larger payloads, powered by the R-2600 Twin Cyclone engine and featuring an internal bomb bay for reduced drag. However, the Helldiver was not really successful, due to its poor survivability, and in many cases the F6F Hellcat fighter-bomber was capable of performing the same tasks. France purchased 110 SB2C-5 Helldivers in 1949 in replacement of their own SBD Dauntless dive bombers, these aircraft were used up until 1958 serving in the French Navy aboard aircraft carriers, and saw combat only in the First Indochina War.
-It was introduced in [[Update 1.73 "Vive la France"]]. The SB2C-5 Helldiver dive-bomber was designed as a replacement for the [[SBD-3|SBD Dauntless]] in US Navy service. US pilots may be familiar with the [[SB2C-1c]] and [[SB2C-4]] and this plane is virtually identical besides its inability to carry the 1,000 lb Type A magnetic mine. While the Helldiver works well as a dive-bomber or attacker, its good armament and bomber spawn also allow it to hunt other aircraft. The good turning ability can be a lethal surprise during dogfights if no payload is being carried, since this will reduce its performance in air combat. Is recommended mostly for ground and naval battles due to its ground attack configuration.
+It was introduced in [[Update 1.73 "Vive la France"]]. US pilots may be familiar with the [[SB2C-1c]] and [[SB2C-4]] and this plane is virtually identical besides its inability to carry the 1,000 lb Type A magnetic mine. While the Helldiver works well as a dive-bomber or attacker, its good armament and bomber spawn also allow it to hunt other aircraft. The good turning ability can be a lethal surprise during dogfights if no payload is being carried, since this will reduce its performance in air combat.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French dive bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.73 "Vive la France"]].
+The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver entered service with the US Navy in 1942, it replaced the SBD Dauntless, it was a much larger aircraft, that was capable of carrying much larger payloads, for this task, it was powered by the R-2600 Twin Cyclone engine and featured an internal bomb bay for reduced drag. However the Helldiver was not really successful, due to its poor survivability, and in many cases the F6F Hellcat fighter bomber was capable of doing the same taks. France purchased 110 SB2C-5 Helldivers in 1949 in replacement of their own SBD Dauntless dive bombers, this aircraft were used up until 1958 serving in the French Navy aboard aircraft carriers, and saw only combat in the First Indochina War.
-The SB2C-5 Helldiver dive-bomber was designed as a replacement for the [[SBD-3|SBD Dauntless]] in US Navy service. US pilots may be familiar with the [[SB2C-1c]] and [[SB2C-4]] and this plane is virtually identical besides its inability to carry the 1,000 lb Type A magnetic mine. While the Helldiver works well as a dive-bomber or attacker, its good armament and bomber spawn also allow it to hunt other aircraft. The good turning ability can be a lethal surprise during dogfights.
+It was introduced in [[Update 1.73 "Vive la France"]]. The SB2C-5 Helldiver dive-bomber was designed as a replacement for the [[SBD-3|SBD Dauntless]] in US Navy service. US pilots may be familiar with the [[SB2C-1c]] and [[SB2C-4]] and this plane is virtually identical besides its inability to carry the 1,000 lb Type A magnetic mine. While the Helldiver works well as a dive-bomber or attacker, its good armament and bomber spawn also allow it to hunt other aircraft. The good turning ability can be a lethal surprise during dogfights if no payload is being carried, since this will reduce its performance in air combat. Is recommended mostly for ground and naval battles due to its ground attack configuration.
 == General info ==
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 {{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
 {{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 * 8 x HVAR rockets
 * 4 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (1,000 lb total)
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 '''Cons:'''
 * Slow, poor climb and acceleration
 * Poor manoeuvrability, especially when laden with suspended ordnance
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 ;Skins
 * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=sb2c_5_france Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 == See also ==
 ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 * ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
@@ Line 243: / Line 247: @@
 == External links ==
 ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 * ''topic on the official game forum;''
 * ''other literature.''

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 The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:
-* 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, dorsal turret (1,000 rpg = 2,000 total)
+* 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, dorsal turret (2,000 rpg = 4,000 total)
 The twin 7.62 mm machine guns are not very effectively at warding off enemies at the Helldiver's rank. They can only pilot-snipe aircraft with no bulletproof glass and are not very effective at setting fires or damaging modules. Causing an oil or fuel leak is a lucky occurrence and the defensive gun should not be relied upon to protect the plane.

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 | || || 1 || ||
 |-
-| colspan="6" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 2,260 kg<br>Maximum permissible wing load: 1,130 kg
+| colspan="6" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 2,260 kg
 |-
 | colspan="7" | * M2 Browning pods cannot be equipped with HVAR rockets on the adjacent hardpoint

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 {{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 <!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
-* 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (500 lb total)
+{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
-* 1 x 2,216 lb Mk.13-6 torpedo
+|-
-* 1 x 2,216 lb Mk.13-6 Case torpedo
+! !! width="8%" | 1 !! width="8%" | 2 !! width="8%" | 3 !! width="8%" | 4 !! width="8%" | 5
-* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
+| rowspan="9" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_SB2C-4.png]]</div>
 * 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
 * 1 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb (1,000 lb total)
-* 1 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb + 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
+* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
 * 1 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bomb (2,000 lb total)
 The SB2C-5 has a good choice of ordnance, though it comes stock with only two [[AN-M57 (250 lb)|250 lb bombs]] that give it an extremely poor bombing capacity. From there on, either the [[M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|DGP-1]] or [[Mk.13-6 (2,216 lb)|ITC mk.III]] modifications can be researched to give either a total of four 12.7 mm machine guns (a preferable choice for Air Battles) or a torpedo (preferable for Naval Battles) respectively. It's not until the tier IV that the [[AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|MBC mk.I]] modification becomes available giving the plane an ability to use its most potent bombing setup with a single 1,000 lb + two 500 lb bombs.

@@ Line 126: / Line 126: @@
 * 1 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb + 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
 * 8 x HVAR rockets
-* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun (secondary) in 2 x DGP-1 wing-mounted twin-gun pods (340 rpg = 1,360 total)
+* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (gunpods) (340 rpg = 1,360 total)
-The SB2C-5 has a good choice of ordnance, though it comes stock with only two [[AN-M57 (250 lb)|250 lb bombs]] that give it an extremely poor bombing capacity. From there on either the [[M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|DGP-1]] or [[Mk.13-6 (2,216 lb)|ITC mk.III]] modifications can be researched to give either a total of four 12.7mm machine guns (a preferable choice for Air Battles) or a torpedo (preferable for Naval Battles) respectively. It's not until the tier IV that the [[AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|MBC mk.I]] modification becomes available giving the plane an ability to use its most potent bombing setup with a single 1000 lb + two 500 lb bombs.
+The SB2C-5 has a good choice of ordnance, though it comes stock with only two [[AN-M57 (250 lb)|250 lb bombs]] that give it an extremely poor bombing capacity. From there on, either the [[M2 Browning (12.7 mm)|DGP-1]] or [[Mk.13-6 (2,216 lb)|ITC mk.III]] modifications can be researched to give either a total of four 12.7 mm machine guns (a preferable choice for Air Battles) or a torpedo (preferable for Naval Battles) respectively. It's not until the tier IV that the [[AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|MBC mk.I]] modification becomes available giving the plane an ability to use its most potent bombing setup with a single 1,000 lb + two 500 lb bombs.
-A total load of 2,000 lb is not exceptional for its rank but not bad either. The HVAR (FRC mk.2) rockets are somewhat underwhelming in terms of explosive power and ballistics, typically needing a direct hit to destroy ground or naval targets. They also cannot be taken in conjunction with other ordnance, so it is best to avoid them. The twin M2 Browning gun pods are a significant boost the SB2C-5's firepower and are a good choice for bomber hunting or head-on engagements while researching later load-outs. The default torpedo is extremely challenging to use in the realistic battles due to the need to slow down below 205 km/h below 105 meters, making you a very easy target for any unoccupied anti-air guns or even casemate-mounted secondaries. Improved torpedo significantly increases the drop speed and altitude, making it much easier to survive. Torpedo itself has a very respectable speed and TNT equivalent, making it able to sink destroyers and most of the light cruisers with a single hit.
+A total load of 2,000 lb is not exceptional for its rank but not bad either. The HVAR (FRC mk.2) rockets are somewhat underwhelming in terms of explosive power and ballistics, typically needing a direct hit to destroy ground or naval targets. They also cannot be taken in conjunction with other ordnance, so it is best to avoid them. The twin M2 Browning gun pods are a significant boost the SB2C-5's firepower and are a good choice for bomber hunting or head-on engagements while researching later load-outs. The default torpedo is extremely challenging to use in the realistic battles due to the need to slow down below 205 km/h below 105 m, making you a very easy target for any unoccupied anti-air guns or even casemate-mounted secondaries. Improved torpedo significantly increases the drop speed and altitude, making it much easier to survive. The torpedo itself has a very respectable speed and TNT equivalent, making it able to sink destroyers and most of the light cruisers with a single hit.
 === Defensive armament ===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{About
 |about = naval bomber '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
-|usage = other uses
+|usage = other versions
-|link = SB2 (Disambiguation)
+|link = SB2C (Family)
 }}
 {{Specs-Card
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French dive bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.73 "Vive la France"]].
-The SB2C-5 Helldiver dive-bomber was designed as a replacement for the [[SBD-3|SBD Dauntless]] in US Navy service. US pilots may be familiar with the [[SB2C-1c]] and [[SB2C-4]] and this plane is virtually identical besides its inability to carry the 1000 lb Type A magnetic mine. While the Helldiver works well as a dive-bomber or attacker, its good armament and bomber spawn also allow it to hunt other aircraft. The good turning ability can be a lethal surprise during dogfights.
+The SB2C-5 Helldiver dive-bomber was designed as a replacement for the [[SBD-3|SBD Dauntless]] in US Navy service. US pilots may be familiar with the [[SB2C-1c]] and [[SB2C-4]] and this plane is virtually identical besides its inability to carry the 1,000 lb Type A magnetic mine. While the Helldiver works well as a dive-bomber or attacker, its good armament and bomber spawn also allow it to hunt other aircraft. The good turning ability can be a lethal surprise during dogfights.
 == General info ==
@@ Line 108: / Line 108: @@
 The AN/M2 cannons are very powerful. They have a decent rate of fire and good muzzle velocity along with strong kinetic effects for the AP-T rounds and good explosive filler for the HEF-I rounds. Use either Default, Air Targets, or Universal: Default consists of 2/3rds HEF-I and 1/3rd AP-T, which works just fine, and Air Targets consists of 3/4ths HEF-I and 1/4th AP-I for those who want maximum explosive damage. For ground attack, the Universal belt has 50/50 AP-T and HEF-I content and is the best option. Ground Targets and Stealth have practice rounds that deal little damage, so these should be avoided. Note that the HEF-I rounds don't have tracers, so those who are not accustomed to leading the cannons should consider Universal.
-Gun convergence should be considered since the cannons are mounted far apart on the wings. 400-500 meters should work well.
+Gun convergence should be considered since the cannons are mounted far apart on the wings. 400-500 m should work well.
 === Suspended armament ===
@@ Line 128: / Line 128: @@
 * 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (gunpods) (340 rpg = 1,360 total)
-The SB2C-5 has a good array of ordnance. It can carry up to 2000 lb of bombs, which is not exceptional for its rank but not bad either. The HVAR rockets are somewhat underwhelming in terms of explosive power and ballistics and typically need direct hits to destroy ground targets. They also cannot be taken in conjunction with other ordnance, so it is best to avoid them. The twin M2 Browning gun pods are a significant boost the SB2C-5's firepower and are a good choice for bomber hunting or head-on engagements at the cost of dogfight performance and bomb carrying capacity. The torpedoes should be disregarded. They are useful against ships and only ships, but there are currently no French naval units to pair the Helldiver with.
+The SB2C-5 has a good array of ordnance. It can carry up to 2,000 lb of bombs, which is not exceptional for its rank but not bad either. The HVAR rockets are somewhat underwhelming in terms of explosive power and ballistics and typically need direct hits to destroy ground targets. They also cannot be taken in conjunction with other ordnance, so it is best to avoid them. The twin M2 Browning gun pods are a significant boost the SB2C-5's firepower and are a good choice for bomber hunting or head-on engagements at the cost of dogfight performance and bomb carrying capacity. The torpedoes should be disregarded. They are useful against ships and only ships, but there are currently no French naval units to pair the Helldiver with.
 === Defensive armament ===
@@ Line 144: / Line 144: @@
 <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
-The SB2C-5 enjoys a bomber spawn in RB, but using it as a pure bomber is not very productive since its bombload isn't very impressive; 2000 lbs maximum is not enough to take out a base at its battle rating. As such, the bombs are best used against ground targets and pillboxes. The cannon armament, decent durability, and bomber spawn also make it good at hunting other bombers, who may not expect to be intercepted by another aircraft so quickly.
+The SB2C-5 enjoys a bomber spawn in RB, but using it as a pure bomber is not very productive since its bombload isn't very impressive; 2,000 lbs maximum is not enough to take out a base at its battle rating. As such, the bombs are best used against ground targets and pillboxes. The cannon armament, decent durability, and bomber spawn also make it good at hunting other bombers, who may not expect to be intercepted by another aircraft so quickly.
 One method of using the SB2C is to use it initially as a high-altitude bomber hunter and later as a dive bomber and attacker. There is a window of time at the start of the match where enemy fighters will generally not have climbed up to bomber altitudes, and during this time any bombers encountered are typically not escorted. The powerful AN/M2 cannons can destroy enemies from a safe distance and the SB2C can afford to take a hit or two from defensive gunners. When enemies and/or teammates have reached your altitude, start thinking about when to dive down. If you are carrying bombs, they can be used to destroy quickly pillboxes and tanks. The cannon and gun pods can be used against lightly armoured targets, and if there is a surplus of ammo, against light pillboxes as well. The SB2C can use its manoeuvrability and guns to dive down and engage enemies below it, but keep in mind that the energy retention and climb rate prevent it from regaining that altitude easily once expended. Try to stay close to teammates as a knowledgeable enemy fighter will know to exploit the SB2C's poor speed and vertical performance to take it out safely. If any enemy attackers have survived up to this point, the SB2C stands a better chance of cleaning them up. But be wary of head-ons; some attackers like the [[SM.91]] have ludicrous forward armament that exceed the SB2C handidly, and others like the [[IL-2M type 3|IL-2]] have both lethal guns and heavy armour.
 === Ground RB ===
-The SB2C-5 can be used to good effect in Ground RB, though it does not have an accompanying tank lineup at the battle rating of 4.0. The best loadout for tank busting is the 1x 1000 lb + 2x 500 lb bomb setup, which should be sufficient for a few sizeable bomb drops. This SB2C lacks the ability to carry the extremely powerful magnetic mine available to its US cousins, which makes it somewhat less entertaining, but the traditional bombload is often more practical. Bomb delivery is easy due to the SB2C's slow speed and easy handling. The airbrakes are helpful for deep dives. Once the bombs are expended, keep an eye out for enemy fighters and attackers. The SB2C can fare surprisingly well in the low-altitude turnfights common in Ground RB, so make good use of the cannons. The cannon's AP-T rounds also do good work against lightly armoured vehicles like light tanks and SPAA, and even some medium tanks like the [[Pz.IV H|Panzer IV]]. Note that SPAA is a major threat to the SB2C since it is slow, big, and not heavily armoured, so keep an eye on the ground and try not to stall out in full view of a [[Wirbelwind]].
+The SB2C-5 can be used to good effect in Ground RB, though it does not have an accompanying tank lineup at the battle rating of 4.0. The best loadout for tank busting is the 1 x 1,000 lb + 2 x 500 lb bomb setup, which should be sufficient for a few sizeable bomb drops. This SB2C lacks the ability to carry the extremely powerful magnetic mine available to its US cousins, which makes it somewhat less entertaining, but the traditional bombload is often more practical. Bomb delivery is easy due to the SB2C's slow speed and easy handling. The airbrakes are helpful for deep dives. Once the bombs are expended, keep an eye out for enemy fighters and attackers. The SB2C can fare surprisingly well in the low-altitude turnfights common in Ground RB, so make good use of the cannons. The cannon's AP-T rounds also do good work against lightly armoured vehicles like light tanks and SPAA, and even some medium tanks like the [[Pz.IV H|Panzer IV]]. Note that SPAA is a major threat to the SB2C since it is slow, big, and not heavily armoured, so keep an eye on the ground and try not to stall out in full view of a [[Wirbelwind]].
 === Manual Engine Control ===
@@ Line 193: / Line 193: @@
 == Media ==
-''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 == See also ==
 ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 * ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
@@ Line 203: / Line 205: @@
 == External links ==
 ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 * ''topic on the official game forum;''
 * ''other literature.''
 {{AirManufacturer Curtiss}}
 {{France bombers}}