May 17, 2008 Chino Airshow
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.