Douglas SBD Dauntless

The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a carrier‑based dive bomber that served the United States Navy and Marine Corps throughout World War II. First flown in 1939 and entering service in early 1940, the SBD was developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company as a successor to the earlier TBD Devastator. Its distinctive perforated split‑flaps allowed steep, accurate dives and reliable bomb release, while the rugged airframe could absorb the stresses of repeated carrier launches. Powered by a Wright R-1820 radial engine delivering 1,200 horsepower, the Dauntless could reach 255 mph and carry a 1,000‑pound bomb or a pair of 500‑pound ordnance loads. Equipped with a forward‑firing .30‑caliber machine gun, a rear defensive .30‑caliber gun, and optional rocket rails, it proved versatile in both attack and reconnaissance roles. The aircraft’s most celebrated moment came at the Battle of Midway in June 1942, where Dauntless squadrons sank four Japanese carriers, turning the tide of the Pacific War. Its combination of dive‑precision, survivability, and carrier‑friendly design made the SBD Dauntless an iconic symbol of American naval aviation and a benchmark for future dive‑bomber concepts. Its legacy endures in museums and in the annals of naval warfare.

Douglas

Douglas SBD Dauntless

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