Air Power Series>1:32 die-cast display model>SBD>HA0215

General Background

The Douglas “Dauntless” was the workhorse for the US Navy during the WWII. This “Slow but Deadly” dive-bomber was the only plane that had fight in every major Pacific conflicts. Although it had been considered obsolete in 1941 already, the Dauntless was used until 1944 and undertook the last major conflict in the Battle of Philippine Sea. A total of 5,936 SBDs were produced in WWII.

The Aircraft

In June 1943 USN aircraft began wearing a new tricolor national insignia with a red surround as well as false gun ports painted on the wing leading edges. Between September 1943 and June 1944 VB-16 flew from USS Lexington. On September 18, 1943 VB-16 took part in the raids on the Gilbert Islands, raids on Tarawa and Wake in the fall. On December 4, 1943 VB-16 was part of a large raid on Kwajalein Atoll in an effort to soften the Japanese strong hold prior to the actual invasion in early 1944.

Specifications :

Dimensions:
Length:	32 ft., 8 in.
Height:	13 ft., 7 in.
Wingspan:	41ft., 6 in.
Weights:
Empty:	6,345 lb.
Gross:	10,400 lb.
Powerplant:	One 1,000 horsepower Wright R-1820-52 engine
Performance:
Maximum Speed:	250 M.P.H.
Maximum Range with Bomb Load:	1,345 miles
Service Ceiling:	27,100 ft.
Crew:	Pilot and gunner/radio operator
Armament:	Two fixed forward-firing .50-in. guns, two flexible-mounted rear-firing .30-in. guns, 1,200 lb. of ordnance