General Background

The Douglas “Dauntless” was the workhorse for the US Navy during the WWII. This “Slow but Deadly” dive-bomber was the only plane that had fight in every major Pacific conflicts. Although it had been considered obsolete in 1941 already, the Dauntless was used until 1944 and undertook the last major conflict in the Battle of Philippine Sea. A total of 5,936 SBDs were produced in WWII.

The Aircraft

On December 7, 1941 LCDR Howard Young, Commander Enterprise Group, USS Enterprise was leading 36 aircraft from the carrier back to Ford Island. Approaching land Young noticed aircraft over MCAS Ewa and thought this was odd for an early Sunday morning. Anti-aircraft explosions were sighted and an attacking aircraft came into view. Under attack the U.S. aircraft had no chance to become the attackers so they dove and zigzagged trying to elude the attackers. By the time the American aircraft landed they had lost 6 SBDs, Young’s aircraft survived.

Specifications

• Dimensions
• Length: 32 ft., 8 in.
• Height: 13 ft., 7 in.
• Wingspan: 41ft., 6 in.
• Weights
• Empty: 6,345 lb.
• Gross: 10,400 lb.
• Powerplant: One 1,000 horsepower Wright R-1820-52 engine
• Performance
• Maximum Speed: 250 M.P.H.
• Maximum Range with Bomb Load: 1,345 miles
• Service Ceiling: 27,100 ft.
• Crew: Pilot and gunner/radio operator
• Armament: Two fixed forward-firing .50-in. guns, two flexible-mounted rear-firing .30-in. guns, 1,200 lb. of ordnance