Helldiver number three takes to the air

Within a period of only six weeks the global number of airworthy Curtiss Helldivers has gone up from one to three. On 10 August 2024 the third SB2C under restoration to airworthy condition took to the air for the first time in decades. This Helldiver is an earlier SBC2-1A version, BuNo75552, which has been under restoration at WestPac Restorers in Colorado Springs (CO).

The rare plane is destined to join the inventory of the National Museum of World War II Aviation, situated in the same town. BuNo 75552 was actually built as an A-25A Shrike land based dive bomber for the USAAF with serial 42-80387. It was later diverted to the USMC and at time declared written off.

For many, many years, Commemorative Air Force owned Helldiver N92879, BuNo 83589 (c/n 83725) was the only one of its kind in the world. But recently, since 22 July 2024, a second one joined the ranks. On that day Fagen Fighters WWII Museum owned Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver BuNo 83393 (c/n 4401) took to the air for the first time since 1945. The rare dive bomber was restored by Fagen Fighters Restoration of Granite Falls (MN), USA.

Photo by Dave Devore via National Museum of World War II Aviation Facebook page