The National Air and Space Museum’s Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver, will go on exhibition tomorrow, April 1st, at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, where it has been undergoing restoration for the past 15 months. A few days ago, Warbirds News reported on the final preparations to get this rare Curtiss SB2C Helldiver ready for display. It is the first historic aircraft to be restored in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, which is part of a major new addition to the center, also consisting of several artifact storage facilities, a collection processing unit, the Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory, and the museum’s Archives.
The final symbolic act of restoration—securing the last panel—will be completed before a group of World War II veterans and others whose backgrounds relate to the Helldiver story, as well as the museum curators and collections specialists who participated in the restoration of this particular aircraft.
RSVP to Alison Mitchell at [email protected] or 202-633-2376 or Karen DeThomas at [email protected] or 202-633-2372. Limited seating will be available for the speaker engagements.
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More pictures of the restoration work provided by by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution via Public Affairs Office of National Air and Space Museum.
excellent photos, have always wondered what the curious ”notch” is for at the bottom of the tail section where it meets the fuselage, have searched for any info but cant find any answers. again excellent photos.
It’s a retractable cover for the ring mount twin .30 rear machine guns crewed by the radio operator.
The man behind the Guns is my Dad. This was the last aircraft he and Gene Pompa flew during the war.