Douglas SBD Dauntless

The SBD (Scout Bomber Douglas) Dauntless was an American naval dive bomber manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company from 1940 to 1944. It served as the primary dive bomber and scout plane for the United States Navy during World War II and became one of the most important aircraft in the Pacific Theater.

The Dauntless was a two-seat aircraft with a crew consisting of a pilot and a rear gunner/radioman. It had a maximum speed of 255 mph, a range of 1,115 miles, and a service ceiling of 25,200 feet. Its armament typically included two forward-firing .50-caliber machine guns, one or two rear-facing .30-caliber machine guns, and up to 2,250 pounds of bombs. The aircraft's distinctive perforated dive flaps allowed precise bombing runs while controlling speed during steep dives.

The SBD Dauntless achieved legendary status during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, when it sank four Japanese aircraft carriers, helping to turn the tide of the Pacific War. Due to its rugged construction, maneuverability, and defensive armament, the Dauntless maintained the lowest loss ratio of any U.S. carrier-based aircraft throughout its service. 

Despite being considered obsolete at the beginning of the war, the SBD Dauntless ultimately sank more Japanese shipping than any other Allied aircraft during World War II. Naval aviators often referred to the SBD using the nickname "Slow But Deadly," a play on its initials that acknowledged its relatively modest speed and remarkable combat effectiveness.