Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - [WWII] Curtiss SBC Helldiver scout bomber (USA)

copeab · 03-27-2010, 02:22 PM

Curtiss SBC Helldiver scout bomber
Copyright 2010 by Brandon Cope

The SBC was the last biplane purchased by the US Navy. It was an advanced biplane, with an enclosed crew and retractable landing gear and entered production in 1937. By the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor they equipped only three front line units (two USN aboard the USS Hornet and one USMC) but were soon relegated to training and second-line duties. The plane was replaced in service by the SBD Dauntless. They were completely retired by 1944. Some 257 were built, 174 of them the -4 model.

Fifty of the USN's SBC-4's (which were in reserve service at the time) were supposed to be transferred to France in 1940, via Canada, with the armament replaced, self-sealing fuel tanks added and new paint schemes. However, France fell before they could be delivered. They were instead unloaded at Martinique where they were left to rot outside. The British ended up with five of the planes, designating them as Cleveland Mk I, but didn't use them in combat. The last unit to fly the SBC in a combat role was a Marine squadron on Samoa, which flew them until early 1943; fortunately, they never encountered Japanese aircraft.

The crew consists of a pilot and observer/gunner. The SBC-4 uses 31.9 gallons of aviation fuel per hour at routine usage.

Subassemblies: Heavy Fighter chassis +3, Light Fighter Wings with Biplane option +3, three retractable wheels +1.
Powertrain: 709-kW aerial HP gasoline engine with 709-kW prop and 120-gallon standard fuel tanks [Body].
Occupancy: 2 CS Cargo: 2.5 Body

Armor
Body/Wings: 2/2C
Wheels: 2/3

Armament
2*Aircraft LMG/Browning M-2 [Body:F,B] (500 each).
1000-lb bomb [Body:U]

Equipment
Body: Medium radio receiver and transmitter, bombsight, precision navigation instruments, autopilot, arrestor gear.

Statistics
Size: 28'x34'x12'
Payload: 1.07 tons
Lwt: 3.81 tons
Volume: 224
Maint.: 46 hours
Price: $18,500

HT: 12
HP: 260 [body], 135 [each wing], 25 [each wheel]
*
aSpeed: 237
aAccel: 6
aDecel: 26
AMR: 6.25
aSR: 2
Stall: 67

Design Notes
Design speed was 255 mph. The historical speed has been used, as well as the actual wing area (317 square feet). Loaded weight was increased 7%.

Variants
The 83 SBC-3's had less powerful engines (615-kW), with a top speed of 227 mph and only a 500-lb bomb load..

03-27-2010, 02:22 PM	#1
copeab Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: near Houston	[WWII] Curtiss SBC Helldiver scout bomber (USA) Curtiss SBC Helldiver scout bomber Copyright 2010 by Brandon Cope The SBC was the last biplane purchased by the US Navy. It was an advanced biplane, with an enclosed crew and retractable landing gear and entered production in 1937. By the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor they equipped only three front line units (two USN aboard the USS Hornet and one USMC) but were soon relegated to training and second-line duties. The plane was replaced in service by the SBD Dauntless. They were completely retired by 1944. Some 257 were built, 174 of them the -4 model. Fifty of the USN's SBC-4's (which were in reserve service at the time) were supposed to be transferred to France in 1940, via Canada, with the armament replaced, self-sealing fuel tanks added and new paint schemes. However, France fell before they could be delivered. They were instead unloaded at Martinique where they were left to rot outside. The British ended up with five of the planes, designating them as Cleveland Mk I, but didn't use them in combat. The last unit to fly the SBC in a combat role was a Marine squadron on Samoa, which flew them until early 1943; fortunately, they never encountered Japanese aircraft. The crew consists of a pilot and observer/gunner. The SBC-4 uses 31.9 gallons of aviation fuel per hour at routine usage. Subassemblies: Heavy Fighter chassis +3, Light Fighter Wings with Biplane option +3, three retractable wheels +1. Powertrain: 709-kW aerial HP gasoline engine with 709-kW prop and 120-gallon standard fuel tanks [Body]. Occupancy: 2 CS Cargo: 2.5 Body Armor Body/Wings: 2/2C Wheels: 2/3 Armament 2Aircraft LMG/Browning M-2 [Body:F,B] (500 each). 1000-lb bomb [Body:U] Equipment Body: Medium radio receiver and transmitter, bombsight, precision navigation instruments, autopilot, arrestor gear. Statistics Size: 28'x34'x12' Payload: 1.07 tons Lwt: 3.81 tons Volume: 224 Maint.: 46 hours Price: $18,500 HT: 12 HP: 260 [body], 135 [each wing], 25 [each wheel] aSpeed: 237 aAccel: 6 aDecel: 26 AMR: 6.25 aSR: 2 Stall: 67 Design Notes Design speed was 255 mph. The historical speed has been used, as well as the actual wing area (317 square feet). Loaded weight was increased 7%. Variants The 83 SBC-3's had less powerful engines (615-kW), with a top speed of 227 mph and only a 500-lb bomb load.. __________________ A generous and sadistic GM, Brandon Cope GURPS 3e stuff: http://copeab.tripod.com