The Douglas SBD Dauntless is a World War II American naval scout plane and dive bomber that was manufactured from 1940 – 1944, it was also used by the US army air forces, this was known as the A-24 Banshee and was flown from land bases.
Variants
XBT-2
prototype, airframe was a production Northrop BT-1 heavily modified and redesignated as the XBT-2.
Further modified by Douglas as the XSBD-1.
SBD-1
Marine Corps version without self-sealing fuel tanks.
SBD-1P
reconnaissance aircraft, converted from SBD-1s.
SBD-2
Navy version with increased fuel capacity and different armament, no self-sealing fuel tanks, starting in early 1941.
SBD-2P
reconnaissance aircraft, converted from SBD-2s.
SBD-3
Manufactured in early 1941.
This provided increased protection, self-sealing fuel tanks, and four machine guns.
SBD-4
provided a 24-volt (up from 12 volt) electrical system.
In addition, a new propeller and fuel pumps rounded out the improvements over the SBD-3.
SBD-4P
reconnaissance aircraft, converted from SBD-4s.
SBD-5
The most produced version, primarily produced at the Douglas Aircraft plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Equipped with a 1,200-hp engine and an increased ammunition supply.
In addition to American service, these saw combat with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Free French Air Force and the Mexican Air Force.
SBD-5A
as A-24B, for USAAF but delivered to USMC.
SBD-6
The final version, providing more improvements, including a 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) engine, but production ended in the summer of 1944.
A-24 Banshee
(SBD-3A)
USAAF equivalent of the SBD-3 without arrestor hook.
A-24A Banshee
(SBD-4A)
USAAF equivalent of the SBD-4.
A-24B Banshee
(SBD-5A)
USAAF equivalent of the SBD-5.
Specifications
Crew
2
Length
33 ft 1.25 in (10.0902 m)
Wingspan
41 ft 6.375 in (12.65873 m)
Height
13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
Wing area
325 sq ft (30.2 m2)
Airfoil
Root
NACA 2415
Tip
NACA 2407
Empty weight
6,404 lb (2,905 kg)
Gross weight
9,359 lb (4,245 kg)
Max take-off weight
10,700 lb (4,853 kg)
Fuel capacity
260 US gal (220 imp gal; 980 l) in non-metallic self-sealing fuel tanks
