June 8, 2009- QB-39
Douglas 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.