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Hello everybody. Today, I’d like to suggest the Curtiss XBT2C-1 for US Aviation in War Thunder. Not to be confused with Curtiss’ earlier XBTC-2 design for the US Navy, the XBT2C-1 was envisioned as the final Curtiss aircraft for the Navy to succeed the SB2C Helldiver during the closing stages of World War II. One feature that set the XBT2C-1 apart was its inclusion of a compartment for a radar operator, a rarity among similar aircraft of its time. However, like many other prototypes developed for the Navy, the XBT2C-1 ultimately proved to be an unsuccessful competitor for the 1945 Navy specification, which sought a single aircraft capable of fulfilling both dive-bomber and torpedo-bomber roles.
Key Characteristics
- Curtiss’ final naval aircraft design
- Crew of two: pilot and radar operator (if radar equipment is installed)
- Powered by a 2,500-hp Wright R-3350-24 Duplex-Cyclone air-cooled radial engine
- Equipped with dive-bomber/torpedo-bomber weaponry and provisions for the AN/APS-4 radar system
History
On January 29, 1945, Curtiss submitted a design known as the Model 98 in response to a US Navy requirement issued that same month. This would become the final dive-bomber aircraft design, combined with the torpedo-bomber role, developed during World War II.
Curtiss’ Model 98 was a continuation of its SB2C Helldiver program and shared several similarities with the XBTC-2. In fact, the Model 98 featured approximately 50% commonality with the SB2C-5. Among the most notable shared components were the basic wing design, wing-fold mechanism, perforated split dive flaps, and bomb bay. The wingtips were clipped to reduce the folded height of the aircraft, which was taller than its predecessor. Additionally, the Model 98 was to be equipped with a more powerful engine and featured a lengthened fuselage with a revised tail section.
The simplified design allowed the development and eventual construction process to progress more efficiently. On March 27, 1945, the Navy approved the proposal and ordered 10 service test aircraft. These Model 98 aircraft were officially designated as XBT2C-1.
Although similar to the XBTC-2, the XBT2C-1 featured a smaller engine with a single propeller and an additional compartment for a radar operator, positioned in the fuselage aft of the pilot. The powerplant selected was a 2,500-hp R-3350-24 engine with a single, two-speed supercharger, driving a four-blade propeller. The landing gear included a telescoping oleo strut mechanism to facilitate gear retraction. The aircraft had 182 pounds of cockpit armor and a reinforced airframe, stronger compared to the Helldiver, though this increased the overall weight. Provisions were made for the AN/APS-4 radar system, which was mounted on the starboard wing for the radar operator to use.
The XBT2C-1 successfully completed its maiden flight on August 7, 1945, preceding the XBTC-2’s first flight. Deliveries of the remaining nine aircraft were made through October 1946, marking the final Curtiss-built aircraft for the Navy. Only nine aircraft were completed, as the engine cowling, wings, and empennage of the tenth were repurposed for one of the Curtiss XSB2C-6 prototypes. Compared to the SB2C Helldiver, the XBT2C-1 offered improved performance, flying approximately 40 mph faster and carrying an additional 1,000 pounds of payload with better takeoff characteristics.
Despite these improvements, evaluations conducted through 1947 revealed several shortcomings. The XBT2C-1 underperformed in comparative torpedo-dropping trials and was found to be more difficult to maintain than the Grumman TBF Avenger. Additionally, the aircraft’s acceleration and climb rate with external stores were deemed insufficient for safe carrier operations. As a result, the XBT2C-1 program was ultimately shelved, unable to compete with the emerging Skyraider and other more capable designs.
Specifications
Curtiss XBT2C-1General Characteristics
- Crew: 2 (Pilot and Radio Operator)
- Length: 39 ft 2 in (11.94 m)
- Height: 12 ft 1 in (3.68 m)
- Span: 47 ft 7 in (14.50 m)
- Wing Area: 416 sq ft (38.6 sq m)
- Propeller Type: 4-bladed Hamilton Standard constant-speed propeller
- Propeller Diameter: 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m)
- Powerplant: Wright R-3350-24 Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
→ 2,500 hp (1,900 kW)- Internal Fuel: 410 US gal. (1,552 L)
- Oil Tankage: 35 US gal. (132 L)
- Empty Weight: 12,268 lb (5,565 kg)
- Gross Weight: 15,975 lb (7,246 kg)
- Max. Takeoff Weight: 18,118 lb (8,218 kg)
Engine Ratings
- Takeoff
→ 2,500 bhp @ 2,900 rpm @ S.L.- Military
→ 2,500 bhp @ 2,800 rpm @ 3,500 ft
→ 1,900 bhp @ 2,600 rpm @ 11,000 ft - 14,800 ft- Normal
→ 2,100 bhp @ 2,400 rpm @ 5,500 ft
→ 1,800 bhp @ 2,400 rpm @ 9,750 ft - 15,000 ftPerformance w/ Clean Condition @ Military
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.156 hp/lb (0.256 kW/kg)
- Sea level Speed: 328 mph (528 km/h)
- Critical Altitude Speed: 349 mph @ 17,100 ft (562 km/h @ 5,212 m)
- Wing Loading: 38.4 lb/sq ft (187.5 kg/sq m)
- Rate of Climb: 2,590 fpm (13.16 m/s)
- Time to Altitude:
- 4.3 minutes to 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
- 10.9 minutes to 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
- Service Ceiling: 28,100 ft (8,565 m)
- Combat Range: 1,440 miles (2,317 km)
Armament
- Avionics:
- APS-4 radar pod
- Guns:
- 2 x 20-mm AN/M2 cannons (200 rpg; 400 rounds)
- Bombs:
- Fuselage Bomb-Bay:
- 1 x 2,000-lb bomb
- 1 x 2,000-lb mine
- 1 x 1,600-lb bomb
- 1 x 1,000-lb bomb
- 1 x 1,000-lb mine
- 2 x 500-lb bombs
- 4 x 250-lb bombs
- 4 x 100-lb bombs
- Wings:
- 2 x 1,000-lb bombs
- 2 x 1,000-lb mines
- 2 x 500-lb bombs
- 2 x 250-lb bombs
- 6 x 100-lb bombs
- Torpedo:
- 1 x Mk 13-3 torpedo
- Rockets
- Fuselage Bomb-Bay:
- 1 x 11.75-in Tiny Tim rocket
- Wings:
- 2 x 11.75-in Tiny Tim rockets
- 8 x 5-in HVAR rockets
- Drop Tanks:
- 2 x 100-gal drop tanks
SAC Data
Cockpit
Conclusion | Why it should be in the game
The Curtiss XBT2C-1 represents the final Curtiss design in naval aviation during World War II. It was a prototype aimed at combining the roles of dive-bomber and torpedo-bomber into a single versatile platform, featuring advanced innovations such as a radar operator station and the powerful Wright R-3350-24 engine. Despite this, with the rise of more capable competitors like the AD Skyraider and AM Mauler, the XBT2C-1 became redundant, ultimately sealing its fate.
That said, the XBT2C-1 is still a fascinating piece of naval aviation history. Building on the legacy of the SB2C Helldiver, the XBT2C-1 was introduced with several enhancements to meet the Navy’s evolving requirements. In War Thunder, it would be an excellent addition to the naval attacker line, bridging the gap between the SB2C Helldiver and the AD-1 Skyraider as a testament to Curtiss’ final contribution to naval aviation.
- XBT2C-1 Airplane Characteristic & Performance (1 August 1945)
- US Experimental & Prototype Aircraft Projects: Fighters 1939-1945 (2008)
- Curtiss XBT2C - Wikipedia
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃