Obliterator Bricks
LEGO SBC Helldiver MOC
Hey guys, Jack here again, and this time I'm here with my LEGO MOC of a Curtiss SBC Helldiver.
Not to be confused with the SB2C Helldiver of World War II, a monoplane that also manufactured by Curtiss, the SBC Helldiver was a lesser-known, but still notable piece of military aviation history. Its coming-to-be, in addition, was very interesting indeed. This biplane-divebomber was initially supposed to be a fighter, with retractable undercarriage and a singular, foldable parasol wing -- as requested by the Navy in 1932, needing a storable, quick and versatile aircraft to be deployed on carriers and such. However, the prototype fighter built (designated XF12C-1) ran into many complications, resulting in multiple swap-outs of engines, in an attempt to give the airframe adequate thrust. In addition, the parasol wing failed to pass dive bombing tests. In the end, the final Helldiver would not see introduction until 1938, and not without numerous revisions either. Curtiss attempted to redesign and recategorize their monoplane to save the project, but eventually in 1935 put in a proposal to the U.S. Navy to turn the aircraft into a Scout Bomber biplane. Though competing with new, tough competitors such as Grumman and Great Lakes Aircraft, also submitting designs to fulfill this role, Curtiss was soon given the green light by the Navy. The monoplane was thus converted into a biplane, featuring improved divebombing characteristics, reworked retractable forward gear, and an improved engine (after numerous swap-outs through various prototypes). This SBC Helldiver(as it was designated) was crewed by two (the pilot seated up front and the radio operator/gunner at the aft of the new, tandem canopy) and, though the wings did not stow, was finally introduced in 1938 on various Naval bases and carriers. After Pearl Harbor though, many of these Naval bases and carriers started replacing their SBCs with Douglas SBD Dauntlesses. This was also true of Marine Corps units who had them. In the end, these aircraft saw action in the early war ears only through limited observational purposes, and the last of them were retired in 1943.
The model itself features functioning forward landing gear, space for a minifigure in the pilot position, and slight dihedral on the lower wings (as there should be). This was my first biplane in a while, so I hope you guys like it! Comments, faves, and constructive criticisms, as always, are highly appreciated!
LEGO SBC Helldiver MOC
Hey guys, Jack here again, and this time I'm here with my LEGO MOC of a Curtiss SBC Helldiver.
Not to be confused with the SB2C Helldiver of World War II, a monoplane that also manufactured by Curtiss, the SBC Helldiver was a lesser-known, but still notable piece of military aviation history. Its coming-to-be, in addition, was very interesting indeed. This biplane-divebomber was initially supposed to be a fighter, with retractable undercarriage and a singular, foldable parasol wing -- as requested by the Navy in 1932, needing a storable, quick and versatile aircraft to be deployed on carriers and such. However, the prototype fighter built (designated XF12C-1) ran into many complications, resulting in multiple swap-outs of engines, in an attempt to give the airframe adequate thrust. In addition, the parasol wing failed to pass dive bombing tests. In the end, the final Helldiver would not see introduction until 1938, and not without numerous revisions either. Curtiss attempted to redesign and recategorize their monoplane to save the project, but eventually in 1935 put in a proposal to the U.S. Navy to turn the aircraft into a Scout Bomber biplane. Though competing with new, tough competitors such as Grumman and Great Lakes Aircraft, also submitting designs to fulfill this role, Curtiss was soon given the green light by the Navy. The monoplane was thus converted into a biplane, featuring improved divebombing characteristics, reworked retractable forward gear, and an improved engine (after numerous swap-outs through various prototypes). This SBC Helldiver(as it was designated) was crewed by two (the pilot seated up front and the radio operator/gunner at the aft of the new, tandem canopy) and, though the wings did not stow, was finally introduced in 1938 on various Naval bases and carriers. After Pearl Harbor though, many of these Naval bases and carriers started replacing their SBCs with Douglas SBD Dauntlesses. This was also true of Marine Corps units who had them. In the end, these aircraft saw action in the early war ears only through limited observational purposes, and the last of them were retired in 1943.
The model itself features functioning forward landing gear, space for a minifigure in the pilot position, and slight dihedral on the lower wings (as there should be). This was my first biplane in a while, so I hope you guys like it! Comments, faves, and constructive criticisms, as always, are highly appreciated!