![]() ![]() The SBD-4 provided a 12-volt (up from 6-volt) electrical system, and a few were converted into SBD-4P reconnaissance aircraft. It had increased armor, self-sealing fuel tanks, and four machine guns. The next version was the SBD-3, which began manufacture in early 1941. Unusual for carrier aircraft, folding wings were not chosen for the design, opting instead for structural strength. Distinctive perforated split flaps or "dive-brakes" had been incorporated into the BT-1 to eliminate tail buffeting during diving maneuvers. The SBD-1 went to the Marine Corps in late 1940, and the SBD-2 to the Navy in early 1941, replacing the SBU Corsair and Curtiss SBC Helldiver squadrons on US carriers. Navy and Marine Corps had placed orders for the new dive bomber, designated the SBD-1 and SBD-2 (the latter had increased fuel capacity and different armament). The plane was developed at the Douglas El Segundo, California, plant, and that facility, along with the company's Oklahoma City plant, built almost all the SBDs produced. Ed Heinemann led a team of designers who considered a development with a 1,000 hp (750 kW) Wright Cyclone engine. The Northrop BT-2 was developed from the BT-1 by modifications ordered in November 1937, and provided the basis of the SBD, which first entered service in mid-1939. In 1937, the Northrop Corporation was taken over by Douglas, and the active Northrop projects continued under Douglas Aircraft Corporation. Army Air Forces, as the A-24 Banshee.ĭesign work on the Northrop BT-1 began in 1935. ![]() One land-based variant of the SBD – omitting the arrestor hook - was purpose-built for the U.S. It possessed long range, good handling characteristics, maneuverability, potent bomb load, great diving characteristics from the perforated dive brakes, good defensive armament, and ruggedness. The type earned its nickname "Slow But Deadly" (from its SBD initials) during this period, along with a rarely-used accompanying nickname of "Furious D."ĭuring its combat service, the SBD proved to be an excellent naval scout plane and dive bomber. ![]() The SBD is best remembered as the bomber that delivered the fatal blows to the Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. The SBD was also flown by the United States Marine Corps, both from land air bases and aircraft carriers. The SBD ("Scout Bomber Douglas") was the United States Navy's main carrier-based scout/dive bomber from mid-1940 through mid-1944. Each model is a small but faithful replica of an airplane widely known for deeds in wartime or present day popularity.The Douglas SBD Dauntless is a World War II American naval scout plane and dive bomber that was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft from 1940 through 1944. These model construction kits have scale realism for the super detail fan and light weight for those who build and fly. Although the fuselages of these models are roomy enough to take simple R/C equipment, no instructions and diagrams are included or available. Kits can be built as beautiful scale shelf model or flown (rubber free flight or powered U-Control). The world’s finest scale balsa model kits featuring true to life action parts such as movable flying surfaces, sliding canopies, retractable landing gear, and drop-able bombs. At war’s end, the claim was made that the Dauntless SBD had sunk more enemy combatant tonnage than all other arms of the service combined. carrier form Japanese air strikes- prowess not expected of a dive-bomber. Not as well known is its impressive record for shooting down enemy aircraft when protecting the U.S. Fulfilling the attack role assigned to it at its conception, the SBD, operating from the decks of the carriers Lexington, Yorktown, Wasp, and Enterprise, mortally damaged the main units of the Japanese carrier fleet and set the stage for the ultimate Allied victory in the Pacific theatre. Navy engagements of World War II, the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway Island, the carrier based Dauntless dive bomber played an historic part in blunting the Japanese offensive that began at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Scale is 1:16, Wingspan is 31.25in Product Description ![]()
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