RAZBAM SB2C-5 Helldiver

[SADT]

On board our ship he was a not too bright, Lt. JG that indulged in porn. He used to take pictures with a $300 buck camera and was an officer. Yet a guy that ran the guns, radio, and radar and most importantly, kept the pilot awake, could be an AMM 3/C. - Go figger.

Hello Helldiver,

I was wondering if you could enlighten me as to what the term "AAM 3/C" means? It is also sad to hear that an officer in the U.S. Navy indulged in pornography.. Such is the way things were..

Cheers,
Craig. :-)

[TARPSBird]

AMM 3/C = Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class. His basic job field was aircraft engine mechanic but as an aircrewman he'd be responsible for the other tasks that Helldiver mentioned. Our Navy has never had an enlisted rating especially for aircrewman, it's always been an additional duty to your normal job in airframes, powerplants or avionics.

[TARPSBird]

We're getting a bit off-topic from the SB2C but indulge me...
Helldiver mentioned the LTJG's porn activities. When I was aboard USS Coral Sea in 1970 the ship's Aerial Photo Lab had machines for duplicating both 16mm and 8mm movie film. Normally the 16mm machine would be used for gun and strike camera film but the 8mm machine wasn't normally used for anything. However, the PH1 (Photographer's Mate First Class) who ran the lab put it to good use duping "stag movies" (porn) which he borrowed from other guys on the ship. He would then sell the copies. Technically illegal but he bought his own 8mm dupe film and since the processing machines were available it was no big deal.

[Helldiver]

The JG was in charge of the Photo Lab. He had a couple of seaman that helped him to develop gun camera film. Of course there was no color in those days, all black and white.
His porn was strictly still photos. There was a big market for them the longer we were at sea. No women were allowed aboard, thank goodness. I don't think young men stuck at sea for long periods of time with available women is a very bad mix.
We were not even allowed to speak to WAVES when I was in. They kept us both isolated. They were strictly Officers property.

[Helldiver]

Thanks Tarps for straighten that out. I made a mistake when I wrote AAM 3/C
But your explanation of what a AMM does was concise and right on the mark. I was a mechanic in Flight Test in Jacksonville when I went to sea. Then I became an aircrewman, having trained at NAS Menphis before going to Jax. So an AMM gets to do a lot of fun things, just playing with airplanes. Best rate there is.

[Prowler1111]

Dunno why, but this image comes to mind!

Attachment 46573

LOLOLOL...

Prowler

[robcap]

Dunno why, but this image comes to mind! Prowler

WOOOT

[fliger747]

Any more pix?

T

[c87]

I see this thread is a bit moldy but give that the Buckeye is about to come out, what's the status of this gem of an airplane? I haven't heard anything for a while.

[Helldiver]

I haven't heard a thing about the status of the Helldiver. But it won't make much of a diffrence to me anyways. My version of FSX has s**t the bed and Microsoft won't allow any refills. Anyone got a copy thry'll sell cheap?

[Pips]

It has been yonks since any news has been released regarding the Helldiver. Really hope the project is still underway. So, just to keep the thread alive, here's a classic photo.

[Prowler1111]

VC is being developed, nothing yet to show but early shapes at our FB group

Prowler

[Helldiver]

Nobody asked me but the Beast never had a 50 cal. machine gun. Too awkward and didn't fire enough. Twin.30s were preferred. They got a lot more ammo out there and faster to move . Plus you show the tail hook half way extended. It's either stowed or deployed.. Only the CAF one has it locked half way out. Their airplane is a screwed up mess. The pilots straps are too white. They were a kind of grayish material but got pretty stained with abuse. When are you going to release it? I'll be 85 in a couple of months. Now I got only one eye to see with. I sure wish I was in the trial period. But then again I know too much about the plane. Like it was full of "no step-no push" signs. The insides of the dive flaps were painted red. The interior should be a yellowish green zinc chromate. It looks like you've used the exterior zinc chromate. (Like the CAF plane) the landing gear and wells had a darker zinc chromate than the interior.

[FlameOut]

Good to see you around.
Yes, are there any updates on this project?

I'm just a "young-un" .... 55+....

[TARPSBird]

Helldiver, good to hear from ya shipmate. :salute: