Back to photostream

Douglas SBD Dauntless

Nicknamed "Barge" or "Clunk" the SBD also went by the nickname "Slow but Deadly." The SBD was the U.S. Navy's principal dive bomber until 1944. It was underpowered, obsolete, and slow but it might be one of the most influential planes in history.

 

Carrier-based dive bomber, a development of the Northrop BT. The SBD was a small aircraft, slow and vulnerable, and already considered obsolete when it entered service (army version named A-24 Banshee). Nevertheless it sparheaded the early offensives in the Pacific and served throughout WWII. If anything, it was an accurate dive-bomber and got ample opportunity to show it. Its largest success was the destruction of four Japanese carriers in the Battle of Midway.

2,024 views
2 faves
1 comment
Uploaded on December 16, 2010
Taken on December 16, 2010