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.
NOTE: These image are NOT public domain, there are all
copyrighted. See copyright notice below.
Copyright notice: All images on this site are copyright
Van Gilder Aviation Photography. Images are not to be
reproduced, electronically or in print without expressed written
consent. If you wish to use any of the photos on this website,
contact us via e-mail.
