Merit 88001
Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless Display Model
USN VB-6, "Black B1", Richard Best, USS Enterprise, Battle of Midway, June 1942 |
| 1:18 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless | | 22" | | 28" |
Born in Bayonne, New Jersey in 1910, Richard Best dreamed of becoming a pilot after listening to the stories of WWI aviators. Graduating from the United States Naval Academy with the Class of 1032, Best was initially assigned to Cruisers. He applied for Aviator training in 1934 and by the US Entry into WWII, Best was a very experienced pilot including instructional duties in Pensacola Florida. Returning to the Fleet in 1940 he was assigned as a dive-bomber pilot and gained experience in the Marshall Islands. By Midway he was commander of VB-6 (Bombing Six) on the Big E Uss Enterprise CV-6, part of CDR McClusky's air group. Without doubt the Battle of Midway on June 4th 1942 was the turning point of the Pacific War – if not WWII. Best would prove to be one of the men that would turn this battle in just five heart stopping minutes.
First flown in 1938, The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the United States Navy's main dive-bomber during World War II. The Dauntless featured "Swiss cheese" flaps-dive brakes punched with 3-inch holes, which helped it achieve pinpoint accuracy when diving to the target. The cockpit accommodated the pilot, who doubled as the bombardier and manned a fixed-forward gun. The rear cockpit contained a machine gun and played a major defensive role. During the Battle of Midway, SBD dive-bomber attacks fatally damaged all four of the Japanese aircraft carriers, and heavily damaged two cruisers. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Merit International range presents detailed, ready-made plastic models of military vehicles.
Merit International display models feature"
- Molded plastic construction.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
