New Year Special  Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2214 Curtiss SB2-C Helldiver White 208, VB-83, USS Essex, April 1945. 1/72 Scale Diecast Model, Size: 7.25" Wingspan & 8.75" Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments & Display Stand Are Included.

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, also known as the Curtiss A-25 Shrike, was a dive bomber developed by Curtiss-Wright during World War II. As a carrier-based bomber with the United States Navy (USN), in Pacific theaters, it supplemented and replaced the Douglas SBD Dauntless. A few survivors are extant. Primary Role: Dive Bomber.

On April 1, 1945 VB-83 Bombing 83 launched from USS Essex during the battle for Okinawa. On April 7 the squadron was involved in the attack on the Japanese fleet including the super battleship Yamato that was sunk. Some of the early production SB2C-4 Helldivers wore a tricolor paint scheme and VF-83 found the new SB2C-4 a vast improvement over earlier variants. VB-83 and their aircraft were involved in WWII battles right up to August 15, 1945 when the war ended.