The SBD has always had a special place in my memories. This was the first service aircraft I flew after receiving my Navy wings! An excellent flying machine and best Dive Bomber of the war (WWII, that is). The SBD Dauntlass was just a little slow and a little too small for the task allotted to it, and it was replaced by the SB2c Helldiver.

The plans for the Dauntlass are very straight forward and should be able to be handled by anyone who has a moderate experience in building Giant model aircraft. The plans are easily read and quite clear. This would be an excellent scale model with retracts. The main gear is short and widespread for ease of ground handling. The full scale plane was an easy plane to land due to the short gear and wide tread. The unique flaps and fairly simple cockpit and gunner arrangement increase the appeal to the scale enthusiast. The plans show a Q-35 as the power plant. The 96-inch plus wing and a weight of approximately 25 lbs. would seem to need a Q-50 or a Sachs 3.1. All in all this is a fine scale model that could be flown every Sunday with success. Specs: Span 88 inches, five sheets 36" x 50". Plans can be ordered from D.P. Systems, Inc., Houston, Texas.