The Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft had their first major engagement during the Battle of the Coral Sea where they formed part of the attack force which sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Shōhō, they are most famous as the instrument of destruction of the Japanese fleet in June 1942 during the Battle of Midway. Douglas SBD Dauntless Specifications: - Crew: Pilot and navigator
- Length: 33 ft 1 in (10.08 m)
- Wingspan: 41 ft 6 in (12.65 m)
- Height: 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
- Empty weight: 6,404 lb (2,905 kg)
- Loaded weight: 10,676 lb (4,843 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,700 lb (4,853 kg)
- Engine: Single 1,200 hp (895 kW) Wright R-1820-60 radial engine
- Maximum speed: 255 mph (410 km/h)
- Range: 773 mi (1,240 km)
- Service ceiling 25,530 ft (7,780 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,700 ft/min (8.6 m/s)
Douglas SBD Dauntless Armament: - Twin 0.50 cal (12.7 mm) forward-firing engine cowl mounted Browning M2 machine guns
- Single 0.30 cal (7.62 mm) rear cockpit mounted Browning machine gun
- Up to 2,250 lb (1,020 kg) of bombs
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