1:32 Scale Diecast Model of the Douglas SBD-5, Dauntless Dive-Bomber "Ace of Spades" Flown by Maj. Elmer Glidden, USMC, VMSB-231, Marshall Islands, 1944

Limited Edition - No. 503 of only 750 Distributed World-Wide

The third release in Hobby Master's new top-of-the-line Premium Collection, this 1/32 scale, limited edition die cast model beautifully replicates the SBD-5 Dauntless dive-bomber flown by US Marine Corp Maj. Elmer Glidden, VMSB-231, Marshall Islands, 1944

Replicating "White 1," a Dauntless dive-bomber flown by Maj. Elmer Glidden - the Marine Corps' leading WWII dive-bomber pilot with 104 combat dives - of VMSB-231, the "Ace of Spades," during operations to bomb bypassed Japanese garrisons in the Marshall Islands in 1944.

This limited edition, 1/32 scale die cast model - part of Hobby Master's top-of-the-line Premium Collection - features a fully outfitted cockpit with a sliding canopy and a realistic figure of Glidden, an engine cowling that removes to reveal a finely detailed radial engine, a full bomb load, a movable rear gun, working dive brakes, a rotating propeller, retractable landing gear with real rubber tires, an authentic paint scheme with an Ace of Spades emblem and combat dive markings on the fuselage, and more. It arrives ready to display.

The wingspan is 15¾ Inches!

The SBD was considered out-dated and the US had planned to replace the Dauntless but the attack on Pearl Harbor changed all that. By the end of WWII the SBD had become one of the most famous dive- bombers ever built. Even though the SB2C Helldiver was slowly replacing the Dauntless it continued to play a significant role in the major battles of the Pacific. The final large action for the SBD was the Battle of the Philippine Sea in 1944. By the end of production 5, 936 Dauntless had been manufactured.

VMSB-231 nicknamed the “Ace of Spades” had the oldest insignia in the Marine Corps dating back to WWI. Based in the Marshall Islands from 1944 – 45 the squadron operated from Majuro Atoll. Their mission was to bomb the smaller islands in the chain that had initially been by-passed. Maj. Elmer Glidden and M/Sgt James Boyle flew SBD-5 “White 1”. Major Glidden was the services leading dive- bomber pilot having flown SBD’s at Midway and Guadalcanal. On Majuro he flew another 77 combat dives for a war total of 104.