The Army had been looking for an airplane to compete with the Junkers Ju-87 Stuka dive bomber, but operated no similar aircraft of this type. Earlier, it survived the Pearl Harbor attack while assigned to an aircraft pool on Ford Island, and served in Bombing Squadron (VB) 2 aboard the carrier LexingtonВ (CV-2), taking part in raids on Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea, in early 1942. In the summer of 1941, 168 SBD-3s were delivered to the USAAF, designated as the A-24 Banshee. The SBD-2 on display, Bureau Number 2106, is the only known surviving aircraft from the Midway battle, assigned to Marine Scout Bombing Squadron (VMSB) 241. Called the 'Speedy Dee' by its pilots, the Dauntless established a reputation for ruggedness and reliability. In a matter of minutes SBDs sank three Japanese carriers and heavily damaged a fourth that was attacked again and sunk the following day. bomb, the SBD's steep dive bombing attack was devastating to ship targets, as was amply demonstrated during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Scoring a major victory at Midway and all through. Even after the larger and more powerful Helldiver joined the fleet. One important improvement was to the hydraulic system, improving dive brake operation.В By December 1941, 584 SBD-3s had been sent to Navy and Marine squadrons.Д¬apable of delivering a 1,000 lb. 5936 Dauntless dive bombers were built (946 as the A-24 Banshee for the army) prior to and during WWII. The Douglas Dauntless was the US Navys frontline dive-bomber in the early days of WWII. As a carrier-based bomber with the United States Navy (USN), in Pacific theaters, it supplemented and replaced the Douglas SBD Dauntless. By spring 1941, the SBD-3 appeared, incorporating self-sealing fuel tanks, extra armor and two. The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, also known as the A-25 Shrike, is a dive bomber developed by Curtiss-Wright during World War II. machine guns in the engine cowling and either one or two. The SBD-2 had increased fuel capacity and was armed with two.

In April 1939 orders were placed for 57 SBD-1s and 87 SBD-2s, the former for the Marines, the latter to go to the Navy. The new aircraft, built at Northrop's El Segundo plant, which had become a division of Douglas Aircraft, evolved into Douglas' famous Dauntless dive bomber. Dauntlesses accounted for the sinking of four Japanese carriers at Midway, turning the tide of the Pacific War.ДЄ refined version of Northrop's BT-1 dive bomber that had been developed in 1935, the prototype SBD was actually a BT-1 that had undergone numerous structural and engine changes, and was redesignated the XBT-2. Throughout World War II, the Dauntless proved a highly effective dive bomber with the Marine Corps, its unique split flap/dive brake allowing for very steep and accurate diving attacks (70 degrees). This one-of-a-kind SBD Dauntless, Bureau Number 2106, is a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor and participated in dive bombing runs against a Japanese carrier during the pivotal Battle of Midway, making it one of the most historic aircraft in existence.