1:72 Scale Diecast Model of the Douglas SBD-5, Dauntless Dive-Bomber #167, Flown by French Navy Flotille (Squadron) 4.F, Morocco 1944

Limited Edition - No. 325 of only 1000 Distributed World-Wide

Replicating a Dauntless dive-bomber flown by French Navy Flotille 4.F from June, 1944, to November, 1949, this limited edition, 1/72 scale die cast Hobby Master model features engraved panel lines and simulated rivets, a detailed cockpit with an optional-position canopy, removable bombs, open dive brakes, optional-position landing gear, authentic post-World War II markings, and more.

6¾" wingspan; includes a display stand

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.