SBD Dauntless SBD Guides, Tutorials

Douglas SBD Dauntless
SBD Dauntless
Description
Role	Carrier/land-based dive bomber
Crew	2
First Flight	1939
Entered Service	1940
Manufacturer	Douglas Aircraft Company
Dimensions
Length	33 ft 1 in	10.08 m
Wingspan	41 ft 6 in	12.65 m
Height	13 ft 7 in	4.14 m
Wing area	325 ft²	30.19 m²
Weights
Empty	6,404 lb	2904.81 kg
Loaded	10,676 lb	4842.55 kg
Maximum takeoff	10,700 lb	4,853.44 kg
Powerplant
Engines	1x Wright R-1820-60 radial
Power	1,200 hp	894.84 kW
Performance
Maximum speed	255 mph	410.38 km/h
Combat range	773 miles	1243.8 km
Ferry range	miles	km
Service ceiling	25,530 ft	7,781.54 m
Rate of climb	1,700 ft/min	518.16 m/s
Wing loading	? lb/ft²	? kg/m²
Power/Mass	? hp/lb	? kW/kg
Armament
Guns	2 × 0.5 in (12.7 mm) forward-firing machineguns 2 × 0.3 in (7.62 mm) flexible-mounted machinegnus
Bombs	1,600 lb (under fuselage)	725.75 kg
Rockets	None
Other	650 lbs (wing)	294.84 kg

The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the U.S. Navy's main scout bomber and dive bomber from mid- 1940 until 1943, when it was replaced by the SB2C Helldiver. Commonly, their extremely effective dive bombing technique was known as "Helldiving", leading to their being nicknamed "Helldivers" (not to be confused with other aircraft officially designated the Helldiver, like the SB2C listed above).

The Northrop BT-1 provided the basis for the design of the SBD, which began manufacture in 1940. It was designed with a 1,000 horsepower Wright Cyclone powerplant. A year earlier, both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps had placed orders for the new dive bombers, aptly designated the SBD-1 and SBD-2 (the latter had increased fuel capacity and different armament). The former went to the Marine Corps in late 1940, and the latter went to the Navy in early 1941.

The next version, titled the SBD-3, began manufacture in early 1941. It provided increased protection, self-sealing fuel tanks, and four machine guns. The SBD-4 provided a 12-volt (from 6) electrical system, and a few were converted onto reconnaissance platforms.

The next (and most produced) variant, known as the SBD-5, was primarily produced on Douglas's plant at Tulsa, OklahomaOklahoma ( In Detail) (Full size) State nickname: Sooner State Other U. States Capital Oklahoma City Largest City Oklahoma City Governor Brad Henry Area Total Land Water % water Ranked 20th 181,196 km² 178,023 km² 3,173 km² 1. 8% Population Total ( 2000). It was equipped with a 1,200 hp engine and increased ammunition. Over 2,400 were built, and a few were shipped to the Royal NavyThe Royal Navy is the navy of the United Kingdom. It operates a number of aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, fifteen nuclear submarines, and various other ships, as well as aircraft and Britain's amphibious forces, the Royal Marines. The Royal Navy (although they were not used operationally). A few were also sent to MexicoThis article is about the country Mexico. For other meanings, see Mexico (disambiguation The United Mexican States or Mexico ( Spanish: Estados Unidos Mexicanos or Mexico regarding the use of the variant spelling Mejico see section The name below) is a co. The final version, the SBD-6, provided many improvements, but came later and was not used as much.

The U.S. Army made its own version of the SBD, known as the A-24, which was essentially the same aircraft with a few changes (the removal of the unnecessary arresting hook and different tires). Two versions (the A-24A and A-24B) were produced and used by the Army through and after the war.

1 History

It was first majorly used during the Battle of the Coral SeaThe Battle of the Coral Sea in early May 1942, was the first major aircraft carrier engagement of World War II, and one of the half-dozen most significant battles of the Pacific War. It was also the first naval battle to take place at long distance: neith, when SBDs and TBDs sank the Japanese aircraft carrier ShohoThe Shoho was a Japanese aircraft carrier. It was destroyed on 7 May 1942 by planes of the US Navy during the battle of the Coral Sea, the first such ship sunk by the U. Navy during World War II. Shoho class aircraft carriers.. However, its most important contribution to the American war effort probably came during the Battle of MidwayThe Battle of Midway fought in World War II, took place on June 5, 1942 ( June 4 in US time zones). The United States Navy defeated a Japanese attack against Midway Atoll, marking a turning point in the war in the Pacific theatre. Fought just a month afte (early June 1942), when it sank four of the Japanese heavy carriers (the Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu), also heavily damaging two Japanese cruisers (the Mikuma and the Mogami , one of which was later scuttled by a Japanese destroyer).

However, they were not utilized to the best of their ability. One squadron of Marine SBDs, operating off Midway Island, was not yet trained in the effective "Helldiving" technique; instead, they were forced to use the slower but easier glide bombing technique, which led to that squadron's almost total destruction. The carrier-borne squadrons, on the other hand, were much more effective, combined with their F4F Wildcat fighter escorts.

Next, SBDs participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign, both from American carriers and Henderson Field on Guadalcanal Island. It contributed to the heavy loss of Japanese shipping during the campaign. Dauntlesses eventually sank the Japanese carrier Ryujo near the Solomon Islands (in late 1942), damaging three others. They proceeded to sink one cruiser and nine transports during the decisive Battle of Guadalcanal.

During this decisive time of the Pacific Campaign, the SBD's strengths and weaknesses became evident. Interestingly, while the American strength was dive bombing, the Japanese preferred their Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers, which caused the bulk of the damage at Pearl Harbor. Finally, the Dauntless was also very steady while diving.

In 1944, the Dauntless undertook its last major action during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, although the Marines utilized them until the end of the war (in 1945). It had already been replaced by the SB2C Helldiver in the U.S. Navy. The Dauntless was one of the most important aircraft in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, with dozens of ships sunk or heavily damaged by Dauntlesses.

2 Sources

Related content
Related Development	YA-13 - A-17 - Northrop BT
Similar Aircraft	Fairey Barracuda - Aichi D3A
Designation Series	SBD - XSB2D
Related Lists	List of military aircraft of the United States

US bomber aircraft 1930-1939 Carrier-based aircraft

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1 History

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