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SB2C-5 Helldiver aircraft, BuNo 83393 (Photo Fagen Fighters WWII Museum Facebook page)

The Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota, announced the successful test flight of their restored SB2C-5 Helldiver on July 22, 2024, marking its first flight since 1945.

The Helldiver, built in early 1945 and originally stationed at Naval Air Field Newport, Rhode Island, and NAS Dahlgren, Virginia, crashed during a test flight on July 24, 1945, killing the pilot, LTJG Mark Gilbert. The backseater, RM3 Edward Pierce, survived with a broken leg. The crash’s cause remains unclear, but it is believed the torpedo it carried for testing came loose.

The wreckage, recovered years later, was partially used by the National Air and Space Museum before Fagen Fighters WWII Museum acquired it and embarked on a 17-year restoration project. The first engine runs were completed on October 7, 2023.

On July 22, 2024, pilot Ed Vesely flew the restored Helldiver. The aircraft was then showcased at the EAA AirVenture Air Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Read the full story on The Aviationist and view more images of the restored Helldiver on the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum Facebook page.