Curtis produced more than 7,000 SB2C Helldivers. Sometimes called the Son-of-a Bitch-Second-Class, a take off on its designation of SB2C-1 and its inferior handling to the SBD which it was to replace.
The Navy demanded more than 800 modifications before it was released to combat, much heavier than the original design. It had a checkered career despite its wide spread use once cleared. |
C-130J
The C-130J is no more beautiful than when I first flew the C-130B in 1960. But, Oh! What a capable bird! It will go down in the same annals as the B-52, the DC-3 and other legends as being irreplaceable.
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The trusty HH-52A was built as a commercial venture by Sikorsky, and the timing was good for the Coast Guard, as the HH-19G was getting long of tooth and the HUS left a bad taste after serial crashes early after its introduction. Freshly minted NATTC test pilot LCDR Frank Shelly was tasked with evaluation of touted performance and developed new techniques such as the beep to a Hover. It soon became a legend for its versatility, ease of maintenance and roomy cabin. One hangs in the Udvar Hazy Museum and one in the Seattle Museum of flight.