Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA0166
Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless Diecast Model
RNZAF, Piva, April 1944 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless | | 5.5" | | 7" |
During February and March 1944 the RNZAF received 18 ex-USMC SBD-5's. One of the aircraft c/n 3863 Bu.No28516 became NZ5060 and was assigned to No. 25 Squadron. The aircraft arrived at Piva Airstrip on Bougainville on March 23rd 1944 and flew its first mission on March 24th. NZ5060 was crewed by Flying Officer Leslie McLellan-Symonds and Flight Sergeant R.F. Bailey. The main targets for No. 25 were other parts of Bougainville and Rabaul. The normal tour of duty in the Piva area was six weeks but No. 25 Squadron did eight. The crews flew an average of 95 hours and completed 29 of 32 planned strikes. The RNZAF began to receive F4U-1 Corsairs and after only 4 months of service the SBD-5's were returned to the USMC on May 20, 1944.
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 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Hobby Master's 1:72 scale SBD Dauntless is constructed almost entirely from diecast metal, with plastic components used to achieve maximum detail. The large bird-cage style canopy has fine rivet details and is removable for an unobstructed view of the cockpit with pad-printed instrumentation, direction finding antenna and rear gunner station with machine gun. The swing arm that cradles the center mounted bomb is positionable and can be displayed in the pre-launch configuration. Some releases feature perforated dive brakes that are either fixed in the closed position or in the deployed position, and some include under-wing mounted bombs and antenna. Variants in the series include both early and later versions.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
