Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA0162
SBD-5, "167", French Navy Flotille 4F
LIMITED EDITION

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

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION
PICTURES, NOT THE FINAL
PRODUCT

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 Mariannas
the USN SBDs were assigned to secondary land based operations where they spent
the rest of WWII.

In 1944 the French Naval Aviation (Aeronautique Navale) received 32 SBD-5s for 2
squadrons (flotilles) 3FB and 4FB. The aircraft retained standard USN colors with
added French markings. In April 1945 each SBD-5 averaged 3 missions a day in the
European theater. In 1946 4FB became 4F and was assigned to the former Royal Navy
aircraft carrier Colossus now named Arromanches. In late 1947 during one operation in
the Indo-China War 4F flew 200 missions and dropped 65 tons of bombs. 1950 saw the
TBM replace the SBD-5s.

SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless Specifications

Number Manufactured: 2,965

Maiden Flight: 1940

Engine: Wright R-1820-60 Cyclone engine with 890 kW (1,200 HP)

Performance:
Speed – Maximum 252 mph (406 kph) (220 kts)
Cruising - 139 mph (224 kph) (121 kts)
Service Ceiling - 26,100 ft (7,955 m)
Rate of Climb - 1,700 fpm (518 mpm)

Range:
Bombing - 1,115 mi (1,794 km) (970 nm)
Scouting - 1,565 mi (2,518 km) (1,360 nm)

Dimensions:
Wingspan - 41 ft 6.5 in (12.66 m)
Wing Area - 325 sq. ft   (30.2 sq. m)
Length - 33 ft. 1.5 in   (10.09 m)
Height - 13 ft. 7 in   (4.14 m)

Weight:
Empty - 6,533 lbs. (2,963 kg)
Maximum Loaded - 10,700 lbs. (4, 854 kg)

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

This new site is being updated regularly and it will be much improved before too long. Please be patient, give it time, and check back regularly. Opportunities for community collaboration are in the works for a little further down the road.

This is not a retail site. You cannot buy models here.

Thanks to Dauntless Aviation for providing web hosting and other support for this site. Real or sim pilot? Check out their stuff!

This is not an official site of any manufacturer or retailer. Information provided here may be incomplete or in error. Use at your own risk.

This is not an "advice" site. Please do not contact us asking about these models. Please contact a manufacturer or retailer with your questions or comments.

Please update your links!

Update HomePage links from the HMC website to either www.MetalWings.com or, preferably, www.dauntless-soft.com/MetalWings.
Update your page links to this page from HMCwebsite/HA0162.html to http://www.dauntless-soft.com/MetalWings/HA0162.asp

This site will be modified over time. We are well aware of its many issues, including missing images and bad formatting.