The story
The Dauntless was slow and plain, and it changed the course of the Pacific war. On 4 June 1942 SBDs from Enterprise and Yorktown dove on the Japanese carrier fleet at Midway and left three carriers burning in about six minutes, with a fourth that afternoon. Its perforated dive flaps let it drop almost vertically and hold steady enough to hit a moving ship. Sailors said SBD stood for Slow But Deadly. A handful remain airworthy.
In the Pacific, the SBD sank more enemy shipping than any other Allied bomber.
Quick answers
How do you identify a SBD Dauntless?
A long greenhouse canopy over two seats, a fixed tailwheel, and the big perforated dive flaps on the trailing edge of the wing. The flaps are full of round holes you can see from the ground.
What does a SBD Dauntless sound like?
A single Cyclone radial with a flat, hard beat; nothing fancy.
How fast is the SBD Dauntless?
Top speed is 222 kts.
How many people does the SBD Dauntless carry?
Typical configuration: Pilot and rear gunner.
How far can the SBD Dauntless fly?
Range is about 970 nmi.
How big is the SBD Dauntless?
It is 33 ft 1 in long and 41 ft 6 in across the wings.
When did the SBD Dauntless first fly?
Its first flight was in 1940.
How many SBD Dauntlesss have been built?
5,936 built.
How rare is a SBD Dauntless in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first SBD Dauntless catch is worth 250 points.
