whats the availability of Curtiss Helldiver parts?

[Nathan]

What is the availability of Helldiver parts out there? Hard to come by?

thanks,
Nate

[Jerry O'Neill]

With at least two projects being rebuilt as fliers, I would say some parts might be hard to find.

[marine air]

It's a piece of cake. You just make what you need. That's what they do on the far more common P-40 survivors.

[OZFURYFAN]

Speaking of Helldivers, an recent news on Vultures Rows restoration, I really enjoyed reading Chucks updates but have not seen any recent ones,Pete

[Spectre_I]

It's a piece of cake. You just make what you need. That's what they do on the far more common P-40 survivors.

I'd probably have to say "zero" as well. You'll likely have to fabricate what you need.

[SaxMan]

Unless you happen to luck up into a previously unknown cache of Helldiver parts, sounds like fabrication is the only way to go. Unlike the TBM, which had a very significant post-military career as tankers and sprayers, there was no need for any operators to acquire, let alone keep, any Helldiver spares.

[fiftycal]

even if you find parts you will most likely need to re manufacture them to be air worthy

[Dan K]

Nate, it really depends on what you hope to accomplish.

Are you hoping to gather some bits together to create a small display? Cockpit project? Full-scale rebuild?

A 10-minute search pulled up about a dozen different SB2C parts, mostly in the cockpit area.

Recreating something like an instrument panel is a fairly-simple exercise, since many of the gauges, switches and whatnot are used on a variety of aircraft types. Even the autopilot units come up on ebay fairly regularly.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii15 ... 012S-1.jpg

Anyone who tells you Helldiver parts can't be found has--quite simply--never tried very hard.

[Mark Allen M]

Nathan I agree completely with Dan, there's stuff out there. Maybe not so much the large dedicated Helldiver parts, but as Dan stated, there's smaller items I see for sale a bit on eBay. If interested try contacting Chuck Wahl at Vultures Row, he's a good friend and will be happy to help you out. He may even have some stuff to pass your way.

What specifically are you interested in? As you know, I've been collecting Corsair parts. And yes there's a LOT of stuff out there, trust me.

Best of luck and happy new year.

M

[OZFURYFAN]

Hi Mark, how is Chuck doing?? I miss the quality posts he used to put up & the details about how various bits were made, not sure why that stopped but would love to see some more, lots of us here enjoyed the details,pls pass on my regards, Pete Bradley

[Mark Allen M]

Greetings Pete, Chuck is up to his ears in SBD and SB2C work. I had an e-mail chat with him just the other day. He's cranked up his production by adding a whole Army to his restoration staff. Quite a impressive empire he has going on. The SBD is looking AMAZING!!!! ... I have a few recent photos but it's best I don't post them. Chuck will hopefully come by and post up a recent report for us.

Happy New Year!

Mark

[OZFURYFAN]

Great!! thanks Mark, Pete

[DH82EH]

Mark, please pass along to Chuck, that there are a core of folks here on WIX that wish him the best.
It's unfortunate when folks type before they think.

Best to all for the New year and the future.

Andy Scott

[Spectre_I]

My apologies if I was too discouraging in my initial comments. I read the post as, "I want to put together a Helldiver, where can I get stuff"? We all know those odds

If the OP is looking for an instrument, or similar tid-bit for a small display that can be found with a bit of looking.

Good luck on your hunt!

[Nathan]

Im asking because Im thinking of getting a SB2C-1 dataplate. dateplate rebuild haters beware.

Thanks all!