Mushroom Model Publications

Douglas SBD Dauntless

by  Robert Pecskowski

Reviewed By  Keith Pruitt, IPMS# 44770

MSRP: £12.99 ($27.00 USD) ISBN: 978-83-89450-39-5 Yellow Series No. 6123 136 pages, 70 B&W Photos, 169 Color Photos, 23 Structural Illustrations, 34 Color Profiles. According to Mushroom Model Publications' catalog, "The Yellow Series are aircraft technical profiles, giving full details of the design and development of the subject type, with drawings and photographs clearly illustrating the technical aspects." This book is the latest in that series, chronicling the Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber of World War II. The design began as the Northrop XBT-1, a dive bomber design requested by the US Navy. Because the aircraft was prone to buffeting in a dive, perforated flaps, which had been recently designed by NACA, were added. Serious problems in the flying characteristics of the BT-1 led to its withdrawal from service, and ultimately led to changes in the design. These were implemented in the XBT-2. There was a new engine and propeller introduced, as well as changes in the cockpit. Early in 1937, with Northrop in financial trouble, Douglas Aircraft took over the project, renaming it the XSBD-1. After wind-tunnel tests, the design was further changed, including fully retractable landing gear. With these changes, in April 1939, the Navy gave Douglas the first order for 144 SBD-1 aircraft. Each of the variants is covered in great detail, including the A-24 Banshee version used by the USAAC. These are documented by historical reference and photographs. There are reports on the Dauntless units that were used by the US Navy and Air Corps, as well as the units of foreign users. There is a chapter on Unit Operation Principles, which is illustrated with a diagram of the proper dive procedure and the typical search pattern used during the October 1942 Battle of Santa Cruz.

There are numerous black and white photographs of various operational aircraft, as well as detailed cockpit photographs taken from the Pilot's Manual. There are detailed color walkarounds of an SBD-2 at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida, and an SBD-5 at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. There are also color photographs of various SBDs in stages of restoration at various facilities. The photographs are divided into sections covering the fuselage, wings, dive flaps, landing gear, cockpit, and even the ordnance carried by the aircraft.

The Yellow Series is an outstanding, and enjoyable, selection for those history buffs that like to know the developmental story of the various aircraft. The book covers every aspect of the aircraft in exquisite detail. Modelers, particularly those that love to superdetail their models (Advanced Modeling Syndrome), will find it invaluable as a reference source. This book, and the whole Yellow Series, would have to be highly recommended! Thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for this review sample and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to do the review.

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.