Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>SBD>HA0174

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

June 4, 1942 LCDR C. Wade McClusky led aircraft to locate the Japanese Fleet off Midway Island. When they arrived the enemy had gone so McClusky made a history altering decision. He guessed correctly where the Japanese Fleet was and his Group attacked and sank two carriers. Two Zeros attacked and his gunner W.G. Chochalousek managed to down one plane but 55 bullets ripped through the Dauntless wounding McClusky but not harming the gunner. He nursed the plane back to the Enterprise and later was awarded the Navy Cross.

Specifications :

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