Wings Over Camarillo Airshow 2014
SBD Dauntless
Orders were placed by
the US Marine Corps and US Navy for the SBD Dauntless in April
of 1939 to satisfy the need for a new dive bomber. The Marine
Corps orders were filled first with the SBD-1 models, followed
by the Navy order of SBD-2s. The most numerous of the
Dauntless were the SBD-5s. The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and
Mexico both ordered the SBD-5 models, although these never saw
service with Britain or Mexico. The US Army also received the
Dauntless and dubbed it the A-24 Banshee. The A-24s were never
popular with the Army pilots and most of them were kept in
training roles. This Dauntless is an SBD-5 that is owned and
operated by the Planes of Fame museum in Chino.