Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA0126
SBD-3 VS-41 “Operation Torch”
USS Ranger CV-4, North Africa, Nov. 1942

HA0126 - SBD-3
Operation Torch
Heavy die-cast.
Minimum use of plastic.
Professionally painted.
Fully assembled.
Display stand included.
Undercarriage can be
displayed up or down.
Canopy comes with
various options.
A free spinning
propeller.
Rubber wheels.
Comes with bombs.
Tampo applied
markings not decals.
Accurately painted color
scheme.

SBD-3 spec:

Dimensions:
Length: 32 ft., 8 in.
Height: 13 ft., 7 in.
Wingspan: 41ft., 6 in.

Weight:
Empty: 6,345 lb.
Gross: 10,400 lb.

Power Plant:
One 1,000 horsepower Wright
R-1820-52 engine

Performance:
Maximum Speed: 250 M.P.H.
Maximum Range with Bomb Load:
1,345 miles
Service Ceiling: 27,100 ft.

Crew:
Pilot and gunner/radio operator

Armament:
2 x fixed forward-firing .50-in. guns,
2 x flexible-mounted rear-firing .30-in. guns, 1,200 lb. of ordnance

Operation Torch SBD history:
At 0000 GMT on November 8, 1942 “Operation Torch” began. It was the most ambitious
naval operation in the European-African theater. It was a combined effort by British and
U.S. Forces to dislodge the French Vichy Forces from Morocco and Algeria. Also with
Operation Torch taking place it means that the British under Montgomery aren’t the only
opposition for Rommel. The Vichy government was formed by German sympathizers
after France surrendered to Germany. It basically was a puppet government for the
Nazis. With the Vichy out of the way this would clear the path for the Allies to rid North
Africa of Rommel’s Afrika Corps and become a gateway to Italy and open another front
for the Germans to have to contend with.
Negotiations to have the Vichy forces not resist had begun but by the time the operation
had started there was no agreement reached. This meant that there would be bloodshed
and loss of life on both sides.
There were 5 U.S. carriers involved in the attacks on Morocco with VS-41 “Top Hatters”
aboard the USS Ranger (CV-4) being part of the group. They took part in the bombing
missions that either destroyed or crippled several French Naval vessels. One being a
submarine while it was still tied up at its berth. A large portion of the French Air Force
was destroyed in the air and on the ground. The SBD’s were a fairly new plane to VS-41
as it was only in September 1942 that the very inadequate SB2U Vindicators were
replaced by them. On November 10th, just when the U.S. forces had prepared to attack
Casablanca the French stopped fighting in that area. The attacks further east along the
Algerian coast met with heavy Resistance as they didn’t have the same amount of air
cover. The attacks from German planes take a toll but Allied forces manage to establish
a beachhead and begin their assault. Eventually the Germans are able to stop the
offensive and Ike calls off the mission but not before it has cost the Germans a great
deal of its means of supply and support. This devastating loss would eventually end up
costing Germany the war in North Africa.
Designed as a light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, various versions of the
Dauntless served during the war with the US Marine Corps, Army and Navy.
The Dauntless not only served well in the Pacific but is quite often overlooked for the
major role it played in the Atlantic. It was used in attacks on German shipping off the
coast of Norway, participated in Operation Torch in Morocco, and some even flew sub
patrols. Not having the greatest of speed the SBD-3 was dubbed “Speedy 3”.

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