The Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bomber arguably was not exactly one of those.
It was underpowered and vulnerable, and it lacked range.
SBD Dauntless Old on Arrival?
A pair of Douglas SBD-5 bombers fly past their carrier in November 1943. The photo was taken by a Naval Air Station Weeksville airship. Image: U.S. Navy
Yet, it was also developed during a time of great innovation and massive leaps forward.
In actuality, the SBD was as much revolutionary as it was evolutionary.
Both fin and tailplane employed stressed-skin construction, while elevators and rudders were fabric covered.
Nine Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless scout bombers, of Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6) fly in formation. Image: U.S. Navy
Tabs were further provided on the control surfaces of the tail.
The original SBD-1 was powered by the R-1820-32 Cyclone engine that developed 746kW (1,000 hp) on take-off.
An intake atop the engine cowling provided carburetor cooling air.
Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless scout bomber In flight over the Pacific in mid-1941. This is the USSEnterprise(CV-6) Air Group Commander’s aircraft, wearing a light grey color scheme. Image: U.S. Navy
It had a maximum weight of 725kg (1,600 pounds).
However, experienced pilots could make it look almost easy with just the right motion on the stick.
The first of the U.S. Navys aircraft was delivered beginning in December 1940.
Wright R-1820 engines on the SBD production line at the Douglas aircraft plant in El Segundo, Calif., August 1943. Image: Lt. Charles F. Jacobs/U.S. Navy
It is noteworthy that actions not in the Pacific but in Europe factored into the evolution of the Dauntless.
These models entered service just as the Dauntless was being superseded by more modern and capable aircraft.
In practice, however, both the VB and VS units shared similar tasks.
Ordnancemen of load a 500-pound bomb on an SBD scout bomber on the flight deck of USSEnterprise(CV-6) during the first day of strikes on Guadalcanal and Tulagi, August 7, 1942. Image: U.S. Navy
They sought to find the carriers of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, and it could have ended in disaster.
As darkness approached and the SBDs were approaching their endurance limits, the IJNs fleet was discovered.
That turned the tide of the war in the Pacific.
A Douglas SBD Dauntless Scout-Bomber aircraft In flight, circa 1943-1944. Image: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command collection
However, USAAF pilots often found that they could not outmaneuver aggressive Japanese fighters.
In fact, casualties of the A-24 Banshee were so high that it was quickly withdrawn from front-line service.
Those aircraft saw action at Bougainville with great success.
Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless scout bombers From Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6), based aboard USSEnterprise(CV-6), in flight over the Pacific in late 1941. Image: U.S. Navy
The final Dauntless dive-bombers remained in service with the Mexican Air Force until 1959.
An additional 20 or so aircraft are now on display in museums in the United States.
Lt. j.g. W. L. McVay (L) watches ARM2C K. W. Jobe check the dual .30-caliber machine guns in their Douglas SBD-3 during Operation Torch aboard USSRanger(CV-4). Image: U.S. Navy
Five SBD’s from a Navy carrier peel off for a strafing attack on a Japanese radio station on Ulalu Island, Truk Atoll, in the strike of April 29-30, 1944. Image: U.S. Navy
On the USSRanger(CV-4), sailors mount a 1000-pound bomb on a SBD-3 during Operation Torch in November 1942. Canvas duck covers are in use on the carrier’s 5″ gun on the left. Image: U.S. Navy
A Douglas SBD-5 on the flight deck of USSYorktown(CV-10) awaits the take-off signal during a raid on a Japanese base, 1 September — 6 October 1943. Image: U.S. Navy
Douglas SBD-5 bombers on USSLexington‘s (CV-16) flight deck after returning from raids on Gilbert Islands targets, 18 September 1943. Image: U.S. Navy
Navy dive bombers during the attack on the Japanese fleet off Midway, June 1942. In the center is visible a burning Japanese ship. Image: NARA
SBD dive bombers from the USSLexington(CV-16), anEssex-class carrier, attack Wake Island on October 5, 1943. Wake Island was lost to Japan in December 1941. Image: NARA
In November 1942, SBD bombers fly by burning Japanese transports at Guadalcanal. Image: U.S. Navy
A Japanese heavy cruiser is attacked by an SBD dive bomber from the USSSaratoga(CV-3). The photo was taken from the plane’s gun camera during the raid on Rabaul, November 1943. Image: U.S. Navy
A U.S. Marine Corps SBD Dauntless flying to drop its bombs on Vunakanau, Airdrome at Rabaul. Image: Sgt. W. G. Brunk/USMC
Douglas SBD scout planes from the USSRanger(CV-4) fly anti-submarine patrol over the Operation Torch invasion convoy in the Mediterranean Sea, November 1942. Image: U.S. Navy
A Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless radioman-gunner test fires his twin .30 caliber machine guns. The yellow circle around the national insignia indicates that this was taken during Operation Torch. Image: U.S. Navy
Left side view of a Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft on the flight line at McCarren Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo was taken during the Gathering of Eagles convention in 1986. Image: NARA
Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless scout bombers fly in formation over the Caribbean Sea, circa 1944-1945. Image: U.S. Navy
