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Douglas SBD-6 'Dauntless'

Description
  Manufacturer:Douglas


Control Panel
  Base model:SBD
  Designation:SBD
  Version:-6
  Nickname:Dauntless
  Designation System:U.S. Navy / Marines
  Designation Period:1934-1946
  Basic role:Scout Bomber
  Crew:Pilot and observer/rear gunner
 
 

Specifications
  Length: 33' 1" 10.0 m
  Height:13' 7" 4.1 m
  Wingspan: 41' 6" 12.6 m
  Wingarea: 325.0 sq ft 30.0 sq m
  Empty Weight: 6,554 lb 2,972 kg
  Gross Weight: 9,465 lb 4,292 kg
  Max Weight: 10,882 lb 4,935 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 1
  Powerplant: Wright R-1820-66
  Horsepower (each): 1350

Performance
  Range: 1,230 miles 1,980 km
  Cruise Speed: 143 mph 230 km/h 124 kt
  Max Speed: 262 mph 421 km/h 227 kt
  Climb: 1,710 ft/min 521 m/min
  Ceiling: 28,600 ft 8,716 m

Known serial numbers
35950, 54600 / 55049

Examples of this type may be found at
MuseumCityState
National Air and Space MuseumWashingtonDist of Col


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 D. Howerton
 Dyersburg, TN
Cruise speed for the SBD-6 is posted in this website as 142mph which can't be correct. The -6 variant had a 1350hp engine, 150hp more than the -5 model which was reported by Wikipedia to have a 188mph cruise speed and a 222mph top speed. Does anyone have the correct airspeed figure(s) for the -6 Dauntless?

Too bad Douglas didn't produce a single seat model of the Dauntless for the Navy and Marines with laminar wings like the P-51 and the 1350hp engine for greater speed. It would have given the F4F Wildcat a run for its money.
07/23/2014 @ 06:48 [ref: 68575]
  S/Sgt Bishop O Eads
 Monticello, KY
VMSB 333 from WW11 Douglas SBD Dive bombers will be holding its annual reunion in Indianapolis, Ind begining Sept 14 thru 17th. Please contact F T Hughes at fthughes@sbcglobal.net for details.
04/26/2011 @ 10:16 [ref: 37573]
 1st.Lt. George Felton
 Tucson, AZ
I flew lots of SBD-5's and SBD-6's (in combat).VMSB-236 in the Philippines during WW-2. Last flight was in 54823 on 8-1-1945 from Zamboanga to Cebu where she was to be put to sleep on the bottom of the Pacific. I'm still kicking at 87
04/18/2010 @ 21:16 [ref: 26036]
 Bishop O. Eads
 Monticello,, KY
VMSB 333 again held yearly reunion 2007 at St Charles Mo Our numbers are getting smaller .We were stationed in the pacific during WW 11 under Squadron Commander Major Leon Williamson who was lucky enough to survive the battle of Midway in another SBD squadron. Our remaining Veterans of vmsb 333 from WW 11 era are all over 80 yrs old now. We lost four members last year.Planning a reunion next September in Indianapolis, Ind. Semper Fi S/Sgt Bishop O Eads
11/02/2007 @ 05:12 [ref: 18380]
 Bishop O. Eads
 Monticello, KY
Haveing served in the 3rd Marine Air Wing during WW11 in V.M.S.B. 333 from its begining until its retirement at the end of the war, I saw a great rugged dive bomber that drew the respect of all of us. I will be attending our yearly reunion of V.M.S.B. 333 at Erie,Pa starting on Sept 20 th 2006 to again talk over experiences & old times with the SBD 6 Sincerely, S/Sgt Bishop O. Eads RT 1 Box 290R Monticello, Ky 42633
07/16/2006 @ 10:00 [ref: 13727]
 Aaron F. Robinson
 Wilmington, NC
There is an SBD-6 In Battlefield 1942.Was it ever used in combat over Midway or Guadalcanal?
04/17/2005 @ 09:11 [ref: 9973]
 tom
 taipei, AL
It is astonishing when I take first sight at its picture,not just because the short fulse but also for its amazing achievement in JUNE 6th,1942,battle of MIDWAY:Commander MacClusky took lead of the task force of VF16,they hovered around the sky searching up and down for only one thing--the Japanese carriers,as were running out gas they got lucky-favored, MacClusky pinpointed the target and dived first then followed the other team crews. Consequently four Japanese carrier were sunk,if anything credited as the turning point in the Pacific,WW2,then it derserved!Again,I show My respect to SBD and those USN heroes who sacrificed during the battle!
10/08/2000 @ 10:51 [ref: 866]
 tom
 taipei, AL
It is astonishing when I take first sight at its picture,not just because the short fulse but also for its amazing achievement in JUNE 6th,1942,battle of MIDWAY:Commander MacClusky took lead of the task force of VF16,they hovered around the sky searching up and down for only one thing--the Japanese carriers,as were running out gas they got lucky-favored, MacClusky pinpointed the target and dived first then followed the other team crews. Consequently four Japanese carrier were sunk,if anything credited as the turning point in the Pacific,WW2,then it derserved!Again,I show My respect to SBD and those USN heroes who sacrificed during the battle!
10/08/2000 @ 10:45 [ref: 865]

 

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