Curtiss SBC-4 Plans

Curtiss SBC-4 (or -3) "Helldiver" Biplane Dive Bomber Plans

These SBC-4 plans were scaled from Peter Westburg drawings published in the old "Model Builder" magazine.  These plans are drawn from a 3-D wire frame, so the parts fit.

This is a large, beautiful, complex aircraft, for the scale craftsman, and it is the ultimate biplane for the lover of Golden Age aircraft.  The SBC was a metal airplane with some fabric covering.   The model simulates this.  It is built with scale-like structure. It has all ribs, fuselage formers, stringers, spars and floors in the scale locations.  When you look into the cockpit, the structure you see is what you would have seen on the original.metal covered areas are covered with a specialty paper that exactly simulates sheet metal covering, down to the slight ripple effect along rivet lines.  The panel lines are panel lines.  The overall effect is one of breathtaking realism, and the process results in a lighter weight aircraft. The instructions detail this process.

The SBC had a retractable landing gear, the wheels lying flush with the sides of the fuselage ahead of the lower wing. The plans include a scale retractable gear plan, with air and electric schematics and layouts. The gear requires only home shop fabrication.

Plans show a scale, Retractable Tail Wheel.  Plans show all structural details, scale control surface hinging, wire rigging and operating dive brakes.  Flying wires and struts are scale and functional.  All control surfaces are removable.  The aircraft separates into several components: The upper wing is in 3 sections. The outer sections are readily removable for transport and storage, while the cabane struts and landing wires can remain attached to the fuselage.  The cabanes and landing wires are removable, too.  The flying wires are attached to quick-disconnect struts.  The lower wing is removable.  The empennage is removable.  The landing gear is removable.  So are the cowling and upper front deck.  The canopies slide.  The upper rear deck can be hinged to collapse to clear the rear gun for use.  Servos remove with the various sections, needing only plug connections.  All servos are accessible.  Lighting design is provided.  Engine Cooling is provided.  Dummy engine mounting is provided for and purchased parts are specified.

SBC-3 configuration variations are shown on the plans.

Specs:

• Scale: 1:6
• Wingspan: 68"
• Wing Area: Upper: 1273 sq. in.  Lower: 561 sq. in.
• Weight: 16lbs
• Engine: 1.2 to 1.4 4-stroke