The Helldiver really is one example of several with respect to how Americans worked (and to a great degree still do).

It was typical of the mindset; innovative but horribly flawed and we'll rush it into the inventory anyway to hell with it then sort it there.

The B29 and the Corsair were examples of the same thing; both the Corsair and the Helldiver got sorted but the B29 arguably had its fragilities throughout its life and gave good service if pampered a bit (much like the beloved P51; both were at their best if living in a clean sheets and hot food environment complete with eight hours of sleep a night.)

The Hellcat and Helldiver both got jettisoned at war's end; the Avenger and Corsair did not. The Avenger outlived its original role and became the first (and highly successful) COD aircraft, but the Corsair alone of the WWII Navy designs continued in a very effective combat role.

Of the Air Force designs, the B29/50 and the P51 continued on, living what would be the pampered Air Force life until the jet powered conversion was complete.

Oddly, the P47 did not, even though it was arguable a far better weapon than the P51. One could argue that was because it didn't fit the glamour role still so beloved in that service, the scarf-wearing fighter jocks and the strategic bomber "edge of the American sword" crowd. The USAF has made a profession out of belittling the tactical/ground support role for its entire existence.

Still, the P47 probably really got knocked off by the Skyraider, a wartime design that came into the inventory postwar, a hugely capable aircraft.

Still, the Air Force thinks of itself as a war-winner onto itself, still perpetuating that myth born of the minds of the likes of Mitchell and the LeMay crowd. In my day, we on the ground preferred our own gunship helicopter guys or working with Marine Air for fast-mover ground support missions and left the USAF to fight whatever war they imagined they were winning on their own.

It wasn't until the A10 guys carved a niche for themselves (and the A10 very nearly became an Army aircraft as the USAF institutionally wanted nothing to do with such pedestrian pursuits) that they became anything remotely useful to us in that role.

What a meandering muse from the Helldiver! GRIN!