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Douglas SBD Dauntless
Click on the picture to hear the wav sound.
NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Douglas SBD Dauntless was among the most effective U.S. dive bombing aircraft of the Second World War. Its origins trace back to 1934 when the Navy issued a request for proposal for a modern light attack bomber.
The prototype Dauntless first flew in 1935. Although the aircraft exhibited stable handling characteristics, its 825 hp engine left it somewhat under powered. Production aircraft were eventually equipped
with a 1,000 h.p. engine, significantly improving performance.
The USMC received the first deployment of Dauntless aircraft in June of 1940, following by the US Navy in July of that year. Navy aircraft had larger, self sealing fuel tanks, additional armor plating to protect the pilot,
and an early autopilot system. By late 1941, SBD-3 Dauntless aircraft were the main carrier based bombers of the US Navy.
Following the entry of the United States into World War II, SBD Dauntless aircraft first saw action operating from the USS Yorktown and USS Lexington. They participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea against
Japanese ships and shore installations.
During the Battle of Midway, in June of 1942, SBD Dauntless aircraft were credited with the sinking of four Japanese aircraft carriers. They also scored numerous hits to or sinkings of Japanese shipping.
The SBD-4 Dauntless was among the first US Navy aircraft to be equipped with radar and radio navigation.
The SBD-5 Dauntless had a 1,200 hp engine and additional ordnance capacity. More SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft were produced than any other type.
The final Dauntless to be produced was the SBD-6 with a 1,350 hp Wright R-1860-66 engine. Less than 500 of the aircraft were built before the War ended.
A total of 5,936 Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft of all types were produced.
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SBD-5 Dauntless Specifications
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Primary Function:
Crew:
Engine:
Power:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Ordnance:
Machine Guns:
Length:
Wingspan:
Cruise Speed:
Max. Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
Year Deployed:
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dive bomber
two
Wright R1820-60
1,200 h.p.
6,520 lbs.
10,700 lbs.
2,250 lbs.
4 x .50 cal.
33' 1"
41' 6"
185 mph
255 mph
1,500 fpm
25,500 feet
1,565 miles
1940
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Radio Control Airplane
A rc SBD Dauntless from Jerry Bates Plans.
Radio Control Airplanes:
NitroPlanes.com Enter Coupon Code:
CJ10
and Receive $10 OFF $125! 
The radio control airplane picture immediately above is the rc SBD Dauntless built from plans for sale from Jerry Bates. It has a
wingspan of 85", weighs around 23 lbs. and can be powered by G 45 or ST 3250 engines.
Jerry Bates has plans for sale for a rc giant scale Douglas SBD Dauntless with a 100" wingspan. It weighs around 38 lbs.
and needs from 3.7 to 5.2 two cycle engines for power.
The first picture below is of the rc SBD Dauntless from a kit for sale by Skyshark RC. It has a 55" wingspan and is 44" long.
Engines can be from .45 to .61 two stroke or .61 to .91 four stroke. Weight is about 6 lbs. The kit appears to have been discontinued.
Scale RC Models has rc SBD Dauntless plans in two sizes. The larger builds to a 96" wingspan and is 71.5" long for 3.7 - 5.2 engines.
Scale RC Models has plans for a smaller rc SBD Dauntless. This one has a 62" wingspan and is 46" long. It takes from
.45 to .60 four stroke or .30 to .50 two stroke engines.
The AMA has rc SBD Dauntless plans for sale from Modern Hooycraft Products. Wingspan is 40" and plan no. is 25703.
Guillows has a kit that has been converted to rc for a 31" wingspan SBD Dauntless. Weight is about 11 oz.
The second picture below is of the nice looking rc SBD Dauntless built from a short kit for sale by Pat's Custom Models.
Its wingspan is 30" and it is 25" long with a weight of about 10 1/2 oz.
The third picture down is of Jim Greenly and his rc giant scale SBD Dauntless from plans for sale by Nick Ziroli. It was
enlarged from plans that build to a 100" wingspan with a 78" length for 62 to 85 cc engines with a weight of about 38 lbs.
The bottom picture is of the rc SBD Dauntless ARF for sale by ESM China. It has a wingspan of 71" and is 55" long. Power can
be from a 1.08 two stroke or 1.20 four stroke engine. Weight is about 14 lbs.
Windrider has a ARF SBD Dauntless rc for sale. Its wingspan is 42" with power from a Speed 480 size motor.
Troy Built Models has a rc SBD Dauntless ARF for sale. Its wingspan is 71" and length is 55". You can use a 1.08 two
stroke or 1.20 four stroke engine to power it. Weight is around 13 3/4 lbs.
YT International has a rc SBD Dauntless ARF for sale with a 72" wingspan. It weighs about 12 1/2 lbs. and needs a 26 cc gas
or 1.20 cid glow engine for power.
Cleveland has plans for sale for the rc SBD-3 Dauntless in wingspans of 15", 20", 30 1/2", 40 1/2", 61", and giant scale 81" and 122".
Kit Cutters has a rc SBD Dauntless kit for sale from SPPS. Its wingspan is 85".
Kit Cutters has two rc SBD Dauntless kits for sale from Jerry Bates Plans. Wingspans of the models are 85" and 100".
Kit Cutters has the rc SBD Dauntless kit made from Nick Ziroli Plans with a wingspan of 100".
Email us.
Radio Control Airplane
A rc SBD Dauntless from a Skyshark RC kit.
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Douglas SBD Dauntless
