Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>SBD>HA0176

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

Howard Young’s first encounter with the Japanese was on December 7, 1941 when U.S. aircraft returning from Wake Island met the Japanese attackers at Pearl Harbor. In February 1942, under Young’s command, Air Group Six made the first attack on Japanese held territory. Young took part in raids on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands and later the Marcus and Wake Islands. His actions of leading two successful raids on February 1, 1942 earned Young the DFC. In April 1942 he was promoted to Carrier Air Group Commander.

Specifications :

Manufacturer:	Douglas Aircraft Company
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
Maximum Speed:	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