SB2C Helldiver Mishaps Part II

A VB-18 Helldiver seen flat on the deck of the USS Intrepid (CV-11). The flight deck shows no visible damage but the prop tips are bent.

The US Navy continued to operate the Helldiver briefly in the post-war era. Here an SB2C-5 comes to a spectacular end aboard the USS Kersarge (CV-33) in September 1948.

A VB-92 Helldiver goes over the side of the USS Lexington (CV-16) with a second Essex-class carrier in the background. US Navy doctrine at the time was to operate carriers in Battle Groups of four, along with numerous escorts.

Another mishap aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16) as the prop of this Helldiver chews up the deck. On advantage of the wooden deck is that it could be repaired quickly.

Crash crews aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12) respond quickly as this VB-2 Helldiver impacts the island.

The Helldiver was notoriously hard to control at low speeds resulting in another collision with the after 5”/38 gun mounts aboard the USS Wasp (CV-18).

With a long nose and a short tail the Helldiver displayed a tendency to nose over if the tailhook missed the arresting wires but the landing gear did not. This mishap occurred aboard the USS Shangri-La (CV-38) on 13MAR45.

A Helldiver hangs suspended over the side of the USS Intrepid (CV-11) on 30OCT44 after the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The odd thing is the tail markings indicate the aircraft was assigned to the USS Hancock (CV-19) at the time.

A view of the same Helldiver from below shows just how precarious the situation is. Aside from the bent prop the aircraft appears relatively undamaged.

This SB2C-4E has come in too low and struck the ramp of the USS Shangri-La (CV-38).

Part I here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2020/10/21/sb2c-helldiver-mishaps-part-i/