Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>SBD>HA0130

General Background

The SBD-4 Dauntless had an adjustable Yagi radar antenna under each wing and the adjustable pitch propeller with spinner was changed to a spinner less constant speed propeller. The electrical system changed from 12 volts to 24 to handle the new electronics and electric fuel pumps. 780 SBD-4s were delivered and 170 modified as A-24 Banshees went to the Army. Most SBD-4's were assigned to land based squadrons because the non-folding wings were a problem on carriers. The Avenger soon replaced all the SBD's.

The Aircraft

VC-22 Dauntless' aboard USS Independence first action was in September 1943 against the Marcus Islands next Wake Island, Rabaul and Tarawa where Independence was torpedoed and sent for repairs. Eleven months later VC-22 Dauntless' flew in the Philippines, Okinawa, Formosa and helped sink the battleship Musashi, four aircraft carriers and disabled a cruiser. VC-22 fought for another year and then Independence was used to carry troops home. July 1, 1946 CVL-22 was used in atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll and sunk as a target on September 11, 1948 by VC-22. USS Independence received eight battle stars for WWII service.

Specifications :

Manufacturer:	Douglas Aircraft Company, El Segundo California
Type:	Scout Dive Bomber, carrier and land based
Dimensions:	Length: 33 ft 1 in (10.08 m)
	Wingspan: 41 ft 6 in (12.65 m)
	Height: 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
	Wing area: 325 ft2 (30.19 m²)
Weights:	Empty: 6,404 lb (2904.81 kg)
	Loaded: 10,676 lb (4842.55 kg)
	Maximum takeoff: 10,700 lb (4,853.44 kg)
Powerplant:	Engine: Wright R-1820-60 radial
	Power: 1,200 hp (894.84 kW)
Performance:	Maximum speed: 255 mph (410.38 km/h)
	Combat range: 773 miles (1243.8 km)
	Service ceiling: 25,530 ft (7,781.54 m)
	Rate of climb: 1,700 ft/min (518.16 m/min)
Armament:	Guns: 2 × 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machineguns, forward firing through propeller, with synchronizer gear; 2 × 0.3 in (7.62 mm) flexible-mounted machineguns
	Service ceiling: 25,530 ft (7,781.54 m)
	Bombs: 1,600 lb (under fuselage) (725.75 kg), 650 lb (wing) (295 kg)