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The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a carrier-based dive bomber, renowned for its precision in sinking Japanese carriers and other large ships. Here, the Dauntless is shown resting beneath the sea, a final resting place for this mighty aircraft. View more flight images.Few aircraft names capture their essence as well as the Douglas SBD Dauntless. Not only was it created by two brilliant minds, but it also had the rare distinction of altering the course of a war with a single mission.
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The term "dauntless" aptly fits this sleek low-wing monoplane from Douglas. Against all odds, it soared through World War II, diving through intense anti-aircraft fire to engage Japanese targets at close range. The SBD Dauntless was inspired by the visionary aircraft executive Jack Northrop, famous for his remarkable "flying wings," and crafted through the meticulous genius of engineer/designer Edward H. Heinemann.
In just moments during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, the heroic SBDs emerged from the sun, delivering a crushing blow to the Imperial Japanese Navy. This daring assault sank four aircraft carriers and shattered Japan's hopes of victory in World War II.
The Douglas SBD Dauntless traces its roots back to Jack Northrop's all-metal, single-engine monoplanes, which began with the Alpha and evolved into the BT-1 dive-bomber of 1938. After Northrop left to establish his own company, a team of Douglas engineers, under Heinemann's supervision, revamped the initial design.
Heinemann, known for his pursuit of the simplest, lightest, and most durable solutions, meticulously refined the aircraft in numerous ways, ultimately resulting in the purchase of 5,936 units by the U.S. military, with the Navy and Marines being the primary buyers.
Like many other aircraft of its time, the Douglas SBD Dauntless underwent a series of modifications to address wartime demands for enhanced armor and weaponry. Though it was underpowered and uncomfortable for long-distance flights, the Dauntless proved itself as the ultimate dive-bomber in the Pacific War, excelling not only at Midway but also in numerous other battles. Much like the B-17 bomber, it could endure extreme damage and still return home.
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Wingspan: 41 ft. 6-1/2 in.
Length: 33 ft. 1-1/2 in.
Height: 13 ft. 7 in.
Empty Weight: 6,500 lbs
Gross Weight: 10,700 lbs
Top Speed: 252 mph
Service Ceiling: 26,100 ft.
Range: 1,100 miles
Engine/Horsepower: One Wright R-1820/1200
Crew: 2
Armament: Two .50-inch Browning machine guns in the nose; two .50-inch Browning machine guns flexibly mounted in the rear cockpit; 1,600 lbs of bombs under fuselage; 650 lbs under the wing
