Trumpeter 02242 U.S.NAVY SBD-3/4/A-24A  [TP02242]

The Douglas SBD Dauntless plunge bomber became a mainstay for the Navy's air fleet within the Pacific, because of the lowest loss ratio of any U.S. carrier-based aircraft. Douglas delivered an overall total of 5,936 SBD/A-24s between 1940 therefore the end of manufacturing in July 1944. The SBD Dauntless featured "Swiss cheese" flaps  dive brakes punched with 3-inch holes  such that it could attain pinpoint precision by diving to your target, dropping the bomb after which pulling out of this near-vertical dive. As well as the U.S. Navy, aquatic Corps and Army Air Forces, the Dauntless served forces in New Zealand and Mexico. The very first enemy ship sunk by the U.S. Navy in World II is credited to a Dauntless from the USS Enterprise. The scuba diving Dauntless proceeded to destroy 18 enemy warships, including a battleship and six carriers. The SBD-3 which starred in March 1941 had O5Os in the cowling. Self-sealing tanks were introduced, in addition to protective armour, while the engine had been the 1,000 hp R-1820-52.The SBD-4. The latter differed only in groing through to a 24-volt system; 780 had been designed for the Navy. Wingspan: 12.7m Length: 9.8m Height: 4.1m Ceiling: 8260m Range: 2165km Weight: 2878kg Power plant: 1,000-hp R-1820-52 engine Speed: 402km/h Crew: Two

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