The Douglas SBD Dauntless is a World War II American naval scout plane and dive bomber that was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft from 1940 through 1944. The SBD ("Scout Bomber Douglas") was the United States Navy's main carrier-based scout/dive bomber from mid-1940 through mid-1944.

In one of the most famous images of the Dauntless from World War II, two SBD-3 dive-bombers from USS Hornet approach the burning Japanese heavy cruiser Mikuma during the early afternoon of June 6, 1942, near the conclusion of the Battle of Midway.

The SBD Dauntless was the most effective U.S. dive bomber of WWII. It sank more Japanese shipping than any other Allied bomber. Navy and Marine SBD squadrons were credited with sinking Japanese carriers in the Battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal.

Feb 27, 2020 · The SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber, also known as the Douglas SBD Dauntless, performed the roles of both scout plane and dive bomber for the United States military during World War 2 from 1940 through 1944.

Designed as a light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, by designer Ed Heinemann who worked for Jack Northrop, the Dauntless SBD (Scout Bomber Douglas) was one of the 35 US aircraft types that engaged in the major battles of WW II. Despite being slow and low-tech, it would change the course of the Naval Pacific war.

Every day, memories of World War II—its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs—disappear. The Douglas SBD Dauntless earned its reputation—and helped earn victory—at the 1942 Battle of Midway, sinking four Japanese carriers.

Sep 1, 2018 · The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the mainstay of the US Navy's dive bomber fleet for much of World War II (1939-1945). Produced between 1940 and 1944, the aircraft was adored by its flight crews which praised its ruggedness, dive …

Lovingly referred to as the "Slow, But Deadly" by the Marines who flew and maintained it, the Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber was the Marine Corps' most advanced bomber at the outset of World War II.

Including Midway, SBDs participated in all five of the great carrier vs. carrier battles of World War II and formed an important element of the famed Cactus Air Force during the bitter battle for Guadalcanal.

The Douglas SBD Dauntless was one of the truly great aircraft of World War II. It played a major role throughout the Pacific. On June 4, 1942, during the Battle of Midway, SBDs destroyed four Japanese carriers, dramatically altering the course of the war.