Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA0160
SBD-5, VMS-3, US Virgin Islands
1944, “Major Christian Lee”

THESE ARE
PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES
NOT THE RETAIL VERSION

Fully assembled.
Superb detailing in 1/72scale.
Pre-painted with pad applied markings.
Weapons are not permanently attached.
Display stand included.
Option to display model with wheels up or down.
Minimum use of plastic.
Very collectable

Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company

Crew: 2 (pilot, observer/gunner)

Dimensions
Length: 33’ 1”   (10.0m)
Height: 13’ 7”   (4.1m)
Wingspan: 41’ 6”   (12.6m)
Wing area: 325.0 sq. ft.   (30.0 sq. m)

Weights
Empty weight: 6,404 lb   (2,905 kg)
Gross weight: 10, 676 lb   (4,853 kg

Performance
Powerplant: 1 X Wright R-1820-60 1,200 hp
Range: 1,115 miles   (1,795 km)
Cruising speed: 185 mph   (298 km/h)   (161 kt)
Maximum speed: 255 mph   (410 km/h)   (221 kt)
Climb rate: 1,700 ft/min   (518 m/min)
Ceiling: 25,530 ft   (7,780 m)

Armament
2 X 0.50 inch MGs in upper nose
2 X 0.30 inch movable MGs rearward firing from rear cockpit
up to 2,250 lb of bombs – 1 X 1,600 lb or 1,000 center-line bomb – 2 X 325 lb under wing

Prior to WWII the USMC had three Marine Scouting Squadrons with only one stationed
east of the USA. VMS-3 known as the “Devilbirds” were located in St. Thomas, Virgin
Islands where their task was to deploy on anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic during
1943-44. The last aircraft type used by VMS-3 prior to the end of WWII was the Douglas
SBD Dauntless. The S-1 of Major Christian Lee is a fine example of an Atlantic color
scheme of insignia white and blue-grey.

General information about the SBD-5
The SBD-5 Dauntless was the best variant built with 2,965 aircraft being built. Even with
its upgrades there was one major stumbling block for this plane and that was its lack of
folding wings. As the USN built more and more carriers for their offensive against Japan
this problem became even larger. So after the invasion of the Marianna’s the USN SBDs
were assigned to secondary land based operations where they spent the rest of WWII.

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