Friday, April 22, 2005
Today In Aviation History
APRIL 22, 1938.
First Flight of the Douglas XBT-2 prototype for the SBD Dauntless dive-bomber. The Dauntless led American naval aircraft in the "Battle of Midway", knocking out 4 aircraft carriers, which was the "beginning of the end" for the Japanese in WW11.
SPECIFICATIONS: (SBD-6):
Engine: One 1,350-hp Wright R-1820-66 Cyclone 9-cylinder radial piston engine
Weight: Empty 6,535 lbs., Max Takeoff 9,519 lbs.
Wing Span: 41ft. 6in.
Length: 33ft. 0in.
Height: 12ft. 11in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed: 255 mph
Cruising Speed: 185 mph
Ceiling: 25,200 ft.
Range: 773 miles
Armament:
Two forward firing 12.7-mm (0.5-inch) machine guns;
Two 7.62-mm (0.3-inch) machine guns on flexible mounts;
Under-fuselage mountings for up to 1,600 pounds of bombs;
Wing hardpoints for up to 650 pounds of bombs.
Number Built: 5,936
Number Still Airworthy: 3
Douglas SBD "Dauntless" Info
More "Dauntless" Info!!
"Dauntless" Images
First Flight of the Douglas XBT-2 prototype for the SBD Dauntless dive-bomber. The Dauntless led American naval aircraft in the "Battle of Midway", knocking out 4 aircraft carriers, which was the "beginning of the end" for the Japanese in WW11.
SPECIFICATIONS: (SBD-6):
Engine: One 1,350-hp Wright R-1820-66 Cyclone 9-cylinder radial piston engine
Weight: Empty 6,535 lbs., Max Takeoff 9,519 lbs.
Wing Span: 41ft. 6in.
Length: 33ft. 0in.
Height: 12ft. 11in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed: 255 mph
Cruising Speed: 185 mph
Ceiling: 25,200 ft.
Range: 773 miles
Armament:
Two forward firing 12.7-mm (0.5-inch) machine guns;
Two 7.62-mm (0.3-inch) machine guns on flexible mounts;
Under-fuselage mountings for up to 1,600 pounds of bombs;
Wing hardpoints for up to 650 pounds of bombs.
Number Built: 5,936
Number Still Airworthy: 3
Douglas SBD "Dauntless" Info
More "Dauntless" Info!!
"Dauntless" Images
