Hobby Master 1/72 US Navy Curtiss SB2-C Helldiver White 62, VB-18, USS Intrepid, 1944 (HA2215)

Up for sale is a brand new 1:72 scale US Navy Curtiss SB2-C Helldiver White 62, VB-18, USS Intrepid, 1944 (HA2215) by Hobby Master.

The SB2C was designed to replace the SBD Dauntless. When the Helldivers were first delivered they were so poorly manufactured that some broke in half on landing and wings fell apart in a dive. Some countries cancelled orders and the USAAF never used the 900 they received. Eventually after over 800 modifications and technical changes the Helldiver went on to become one of the most effective dive-bombers of WWII. Most people referred to the plane as “The Big Tail Beast” or just “The Beast”.

On October 24, 1944 a fleet of 29 Japanese warships heading toward Leyte Gulf were detected by the US Navy. The USN launched air-strike after air-strike in an attempt to stop the fleet. One of the first groups sent was VB-18 with 12 SB2C-3s from the USS Intrepid along with her Avengers and Hellcats. It took six strikes throughout the day to sink the battleship Musashi, one cruiser and damage many other ships. When the day ended VB-18 had lost five of their twelve SB2C-3s.

This model air-plane is made from die-cast metal and include extensive detailing. It is similar in quality to Corgi, Gemini Jets, JC Wings, Witty Wings, Century Wings, NG Models and Aviation72.