DOUGLAS SBD-5 DAUNTLESS (The most successful American dive bomber of World War II)

In 1934 Northrop proposal for a new US Navy dive bomber base don the Northrop A-17 light attack bomber. A prototype was ordered and first flew in July 1935, designed XBT-1. After a series of service trials, an order was placed for 54 BT-1 models. The first production batch was fitted with the 825hp Wright R-1535-84 engine. However, the last one off the production line was fitted with a 1000hp R11820-32 engine and designated XBT-2. Further modifications followed, and alter the Northrop Corporation became a division of Douglas in August 1937, the aircraft was redesigned XSBD-1.

It was June 1940 before the US Marine Corps started to receive a batch of 57 Dauntless SBD-1 with their distinctive, large perforated flaps. A few weeks later, the US Navy ordered 82 SBD-2 aircraft

with increased fuel capacity, protective cockpit armour and autopilot. After further modifications, the Navy received over 400 SBD-3 during the summer of 1941. By the end of year, the Dauntless formed the attack element of the US Navy’s carrier based air group in the Pacific.

After the Japanese strike on Pearl Harbor, the SBD’s operated from the US aircraft carriers Lexington and Yorktown Turing the early months of 1942. They carried out numerous offensive operations against enemy shipping and island shore installations in the built up to the battle of the Coral Sea. During this battle, the SBD’s were joined by the Douglas TBD Devastator torpedo aircraft, and together they attacked and sank the Japanese Light carrier Shoho and damaged the fleet carrier Shokaku. This was followed in June 1942 by Battle of Midway, where SBD’s from the carriers Enterprise, Hornet and Yorktown had a mayor success by sinking the Japanese Carriers Akagi, Kaga and Soryu, and damaging the Hiryu so badly that it had to be scuttled. By the end of battle, Japan had lost most of its capital ships in the Pacific.

In October 1942 the SBD-4 made its appearance fitted with radar and radio navigation equipment. This was followed in large quantities by SBD-5, which had more powerful 1200hp engine. One SBD-5 was fitted with a 1350hp R1820-66 engine and used as a prototype for the SBD-6. This was the Dauntless variant to be produced and appeared in early 1944.