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Description
When the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
was introduced, it turned out to be
considered a dog! Nicknamed "Beast",
it was underpowered, un-maneuverable,
slow, and generally disliked by its crews.
"Step aside!" Exclaimed Professor Anton
Veeblefitzer, who flexed his god-like powers
and fixed-up the Beast!
PAV replaced the original problematic engine
(see Wikipedia for details on this craft. Interesting
history!) with the reliable, and more powerful PW-R2800
engine, (stolen) which boosted the craft's speed to 310mph (a slight
improvement). He also replaced the cluttered bird-cage cockpit
canopy with a borrowed (stolen) F4U1A Corsair canopy, which improved
pilot visibility. . ., slightly. And he replaced the awkward gunner position with
a TBF Avenger rotating turret, which greatly improved the field-of-fire potential
for the machine (again, stolen).
The biggest improvement (?) was replacing the outrageously over-size P-40-like
tail with a modified SB2C outer-wing panel, which improved maneuverability, slightly.
PAV replaced the original .50cal machine-guns with his own .55cal heavy mg's, four in
the wing, and one in the turret.
And, for a kick (pun intended), he added a solid-fuel rocket motor in the tail, for a power-
boosted take-off, when the craft might be overloaded (This was a worry, as it would scorch the
deck of the aircraft carrier!).
Sad-to-say, the USN rejected this design, as the improvements weren't sufficient enough to warrant
a production-commission (also, PAV was being sued by the Vought Co., the Curtiss Co. [he stole an SB2C
to begin with!], and Grumman Inc., for stealing their equipment and not even giving them credit for their
designs!).
PAV was even pursued by the FBI and the Truman Commission (google that!), and had to flee to Mexico,
where he helped to design unique aircraft for the infant Mexican Airforce!

(Oops! forgot to add that the Pratt & Whitney Co. also sued PAV too!)

Description
When the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
was introduced, it turned out to be
considered a dog! Nicknamed "Beast",
it was underpowered, un-maneuverable,
slow, and generally disliked by its crews.
"Step aside!" Exclaimed Professor Anton
Veeblefitzer, who flexed his god-like powers
and fixed-up the Beast!
PAV replaced the original problematic engine
(see Wikipedia for details on this craft. Interesting
history!) with the reliable, and more powerful PW-R2800
engine, (stolen) which boosted the craft's speed to 310mph (a slight
improvement). He also replaced the cluttered bird-cage cockpit
canopy with a borrowed (stolen) F4U1A Corsair canopy, which improved
pilot visibility. . ., slightly. And he replaced the awkward gunner position with
a TBF Avenger rotating turret, which greatly improved the field-of-fire potential
for the machine (again, stolen).
The biggest improvement (?) was replacing the outrageously over-size P-40-like
tail with a modified SB2C outer-wing panel, which improved maneuverability, slightly.
PAV replaced the original .50cal machine-guns with his own .55cal heavy mg's, four in
the wing, and one in the turret.
And, for a kick (pun intended), he added a solid-fuel rocket motor in the tail, for a power-
boosted take-off, when the craft might be overloaded (This was a worry, as it would scorch the
deck of the aircraft carrier!).
Sad-to-say, the USN rejected this design, as the improvements weren't sufficient enough to warrant
a production-commission (also, PAV was being sued by the Vought Co., the Curtiss Co. [he stole an SB2C
to begin with!], and Grumman Inc., for stealing their equipment and not even giving them credit for their
designs!).
PAV was even pursued by the FBI and the Truman Commission (google that!), and had to flee to Mexico,
where he helped to design unique aircraft for the infant Mexican Airforce!

(Oops! forgot to add that the Pratt & Whitney Co. also sued PAV too!)