I've always loved seeing this bird down at her homebase in Peachtree city. I love the SBD even tho it's looking more benign than it's Axis counterparts like the Val or the Stuka
If u want a terriffic memoir of flying the SBD early war, read "Dauntless Helldivers" by Buell. These things were REALLY slow when bomb laden, 120-130kts.
Agreed, it is not something that I ever considered, but it seems almost obvious when pointed out. That said, I do not envy anyone who had to try and maneuver with that gunner seat view.
I basically knew that the rear crewman had some flight controls, but I didn't know that he couldn't see squat forward from there. The stowable control stick is a detail that hadn't occurred to me before but now seems like such an obvious necessity, considering that the gunner would have to be able to switch between facing aft to operate the defensive guns and facing forward to control the aircraft.
It makes sense that the gunner has a throttle control & stick for emergency situations. If he needed to bale out with an unresponsive pilot who can’t control the aircraft, being able to reduce the airspeed and level out is very important.
The Daunty was always one of my kid favourites. I found it way more daring having to go and attack a target not really being able to defend against fighters but then also having to dive onto a target trough heavy flack, keep focussed, release, pull out, and keep doing evasive manouvers to not get shot down on the exit.... and then get home. Plus bf1942... :D
'Gunner'... I once flew with a pilot from one of the Nordic countries. His name was, at least the one he went by, Gunner Gunnerson. Pretty good guy and a good pilot.
The movie Aliens contains several lines that the crew of an SBD might have said when attacking an enemy ship. Backseat crewman, "We're on an express elevator to hell. Going down!" Or said by the pilot, "We're in the pipe, five by five." Yes, I watch too many Sci-fi movies and RUclips videos.
I have had the pleasure of seeing two of these birds in my recent travels to the USA, at Wright-Patt and Pima respectively. It was humbling to see the aircraft that quite possibly helped save my home country of New Zealand from being invaded. On another note the production quality is amazing as always and I am curious about the set-up as I am wanting to possibly do something similar with the unique access to warbirds I have here in New Zealand.
The engine was a _single supercharger stage_ Wright R-1820-60 with *two* supercharger SPEEDS, 7.13:1 and 10.04:1. The propeller was driven through a 0.666 reduction gear. The maximum sea level power output was 1,200 hp at 2,500 rpm for take off and 1,000 hp at 2,300 for normal operation. There were two stage supercharger models of the R-1820 but they used a turbosupercharger first stage in the high flying Boeing B-17. A single mechanical two speed, two stage supercharger R-1820 was built for an experimental Brewster XFLA-4. Nice video, thanks.
@@Teh0X He took in a comment from me about ‘Turn and Bank’ indicators and now everything is a turn and slip indicator, the bit about turn coordinators must have been a paragraph too many but it is sort of almost OK, would drop marks in the exam though.
It may have been border-line obsolescent, but the SBD out-did the competition delivering bombs on target. Once freed of its payload, with its two forward firing 12.7 mm machineguns, it didn't do too badly as an interceptor.
I read an account of one of the air-to-air engagements between an SBD and several Zeros. It was tense and hair-raising. An impressive display of superb airmanship, combat awareness, and indomitable spirit. Spoiler Alert - The SBD won, and several Zeros were no longer available.
Ironically I was just debating with someone on the SBD vs the Ju 87 as a pure dive bomber. The SBD was slightly later but seems to have all the better performance numbers...
Whom else read the book " Flight Deck " by Robb White when they were a kid? That was the book that lead me to be enamored of aviation for the rest of my life. The book was about the exploits of a WW 2 Navel Aviator in the SBD. Imagine flying over the South Pacific in a rain squall and having to navigate by "Dead Reckoning" trying to get back to your carrier low on fuel. Great book. Great plane. "
As always a very good video🥰 And you are very brave😮,🤔 to visit a country that is demonstrably populated by so many people without sense and the majority of these also love weapons.😱 It must feel very strange to meet one and wonder if it is a Trump voter or one with sense.
what a great plane ! Hmmm So what DID happen on June 4 1942 ? Maybe just some training flights I think nothing really big after all it was just a day like any other in the Pacific right ?
Love the map board! The peek into the rear cockpit was cool too. Never got a good look into the rear before, and didn't realize that the gun was recessed into a compartment for storage. Thanks for the video!
This SBD visited Kennesaw airport back in 2005 or so, with the Mustang shown in the video. I could only choose one, so I flew in the Mustang. Still remains the only plane I’ve ever been at the controls of 😁.
Dad flew an F6F-5 Hellcat on his missions in WW 2, but I've always liked the look of the SBD. It's not dramatically different in outward appearance from the T-6/SNJ trainer that was ubiquitous at air bases all over the country, and top speed of the SBD was similar to the T-6/SNJ as well..
Used to be "The Confederate Air Force" which was a funny twist on the Texas based firms location. Changing it to the woke Commemorative Air Force was a ridiculous change.
The Douglas SBD Dive Bomber was my first favorite WWII aircraft (4th Grade/9yo? - I was focused on the Pacific War), and I think the first plastic model I built respectably. Was surprised to learn there were aviation controls in the rear seat area: that seems unusual?
You refer to the aircraft’s sides as “starboard” and “port” side. Is not the Dauntless a carrier based aircraft? As such, I thought you should refer to its sides as left and right? So you don’t confuse the aircraft’s sides with those of the carrier?
@@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935 My understanding was that all air forces use the starboard/port convention with the exception of the naval one. Could be wrong though. I heard it on QI.
From all that I have read US Navy pilots loved the Dauntless and disliked the replacement ~the Helldiver. The Curtis did have better longer distance capability. The Dauntless, like Wildcats, were shuffled off to smaller carriers & they were used to the end of the War.
Ive never been able to pin down why. But the SBD dauntless has always just lookes like a perfect plane. The best i can guess is that it is the middle ground visually between a war bird and a classic 40s, 50s civilian plane.
I always assumed the radio operator was stuck facing rearward for the whole flight. It must have been difficult for him to re-orient himself rearward to become the tail gunner. Does anyone know how such a contortionistic feat was accomplished?
I was very surprised to find that the gunner had the ability to control the aircraft with the optional stick and integrated backseat rudder controls. Sound like a modern "flight experience" from the back seat could include control of the airplane if the stick is employed.
Thank you very much Chris. One of Douglas Aircraft Company's home-run birds. Excellent tour as usual! @militaryaviatonhistory. Some day: the audible difference between 2x .50, 4x .50, 6x .50 and 8x .50 cal Browning guns. Dauntless to F4u/P47. Just an idea.
Very cool tour. My grandfather flew SBDs with VB-10 for 2 cruises on CV-6 Enterprise. Participated in Marianas Turkey Shoot, Philippine Sea, Truuk Lagoon and other campaigns.
The bombing window comes as news to me. The only other plane that I knew had one is the Stuka although now I suppose that there could be more. Thanks for the tour.
the Grumman Wildcat had windows in the lower fuselage, but not for bombing ... I don't really know why, but my guess is because it was a carrier aircraft and they felt it would help the pilot landing.
This was a very informative walk around. I didn’t know the backseater has numerous task other than being a gunner, especially seeing the flight controls as a backup in case the pilot was incapacitated. As always your videos are above and beyond informative. Thank you and keep up the good work.
My favorite WWII plane by far. I am jealous that you got to check it out up close and sit in it! I'm still waiting for someone to make the Dauntless for DCS.
Excellent tour of the SBD...thank you, once again! I had no idea that the rear occupant had stick, rudder, and throttle controls. 😮 Riding in that rear cockpit is a top-level bucket list item for me.
Thank you Chris! Been waiting for this one. Also one of my favorite airplanes. I was surprised that the gunner/radio operator also had flight controls.
Excellent presentation. I would think that having to fly from the rear cockpit would have been pretty blind, but would have been better than having no way to get back in the direction of home had the pilot been unable to do so.
I've always loved seeing this bird down at her homebase in Peachtree city. I love the SBD even tho it's looking more benign than it's Axis counterparts like the Val or the Stuka
If u want a terriffic memoir of flying the SBD early war, read "Dauntless Helldivers" by Buell. These things were REALLY slow when bomb laden, 120-130kts.
I never knew that the2nd crewman had a stick and throttle available to him, but since these also dual-hatted as scouts, that makes *ALOT* of sense!
Agreed, it is not something that I ever considered, but it seems almost obvious when pointed out. That said, I do not envy anyone who had to try and maneuver with that gunner seat view.
I basically knew that the rear crewman had some flight controls, but I didn't know that he couldn't see squat forward from there. The stowable control stick is a detail that hadn't occurred to me before but now seems like such an obvious necessity, considering that the gunner would have to be able to switch between facing aft to operate the defensive guns and facing forward to control the aircraft.
Makes me wonder - do those controls operate in the same direction as the pilot's stick (pull to pitch up, push to pitch down etc) or in reverse?
A lot is two words Sir.
The SBD is one of my favorite planes. I think it's really pleasing to the eye. Thanks for this video.
Slow but deadly. Few aircraft ever changed history so dramatically in such a short span of time, an immortal aircraft.
An excellent overview.
It makes sense that the gunner has a throttle control & stick for emergency situations. If he needed to bale out with an unresponsive pilot who can’t control the aircraft, being able to reduce the airspeed and level out is very important.
The Daunty was always one of my kid favourites. I found it way more daring having to go and attack a target not really being able to defend against fighters but then also having to dive onto a target trough heavy flack, keep focussed, release, pull out, and keep doing evasive manouvers to not get shot down on the exit.... and then get home. Plus bf1942... :D
'Gunner'... I once flew with a pilot from one of the Nordic countries. His name was, at least the one he went by, Gunner Gunnerson. Pretty good guy and a good pilot.
Even after the Navy switch to the SB2C Helldiver many crews preferred. The SBD.
The Helldiver was a bloody NIGHTMARE!
SB2C aka "The Son-of-a-Bitch 2nd Class" SBD Was so much better in every way save it's lack of folding wings and speed.
Despite being kinda mediocre as a movie, 2019s Midway really got me interested in the SBD, and it is now also one of favorite aircraft.
The movie Aliens contains several lines that the crew of an SBD might have said when attacking an enemy ship. Backseat crewman, "We're on an express elevator to hell. Going down!" Or said by the pilot, "We're in the pipe, five by five." Yes, I watch too many Sci-fi movies and RUclips videos.
Love this plane. My dad flew in the back seat of the SBD during the war.
I have had the pleasure of standing right next to that very Dauntless. The CAF GA guys are an awesome bunch. Live what you do chris!
I have had the pleasure of seeing two of these birds in my recent travels to the USA, at Wright-Patt and Pima respectively. It was humbling to see the aircraft that quite possibly helped save my home country of New Zealand from being invaded.
On another note the production quality is amazing as always and I am curious about the set-up as I am wanting to possibly do something similar with the unique access to warbirds I have here in New Zealand.
Beautifully restored Dauntless. Hats off to the CAF.
Was the Commemorative Air Force once named the Confederate Air Force decades ago ?
If so what year did the new name replace it ?
@@robertrobert7924 It was. I believe they changed it to "commemorative" sometime in the late 2000's, early 2010's. I don't remember when, exactly.
We gotta get you a proper hat.
The engine was a _single supercharger stage_ Wright R-1820-60 with *two* supercharger SPEEDS, 7.13:1 and 10.04:1.
The propeller was driven through a 0.666 reduction gear. The maximum sea level power output was 1,200 hp at 2,500 rpm for take off and 1,000 hp at 2,300 for normal operation. There were two stage supercharger models of the R-1820 but they used a turbosupercharger first stage in the high flying Boeing B-17. A single mechanical two speed, two stage supercharger R-1820 was built for an experimental Brewster XFLA-4.
Nice video, thanks.
Sadly not the first time Chris mixed stages and speeds. As a punishment he should ditch that hat.
@@Teh0X He took in a comment from me about ‘Turn and Bank’ indicators and now everything is a turn and slip indicator, the bit about turn coordinators must have been a paragraph too many but it is sort of almost OK, would drop marks in the exam though.
That Was Great! Douglas Made A-lot Of Great Planes & I Don't Think I've Ever Seen A More Comprehensive Review On The SBD. Thank You.
So Many Thanks. For no reason I understand or can defend, I've always thought of the SBD as my favorite military aircraft. A great walk-around.
It may have been border-line obsolescent, but the SBD out-did the competition delivering bombs on target. Once freed of its payload, with its two forward firing 12.7 mm machineguns, it didn't do too badly as an interceptor.
Coral Sea, Swede Vetjasa, 3 A6Ms vs him in his SBD. Absolute Madlad
The buzzsaw .30s in the back were just as deadly.
My favorite "Slow But Deadly" Dauntless.
The SBD is/was so much better than the SB2C, I've always loved the Dauntless.
the SBD also had a positive air-to-air kill ratio. very unique for a dive bomber. my favorite
I read an account of one of the air-to-air engagements between an SBD and several Zeros. It was tense and hair-raising. An impressive display of superb airmanship, combat awareness, and indomitable spirit. Spoiler Alert - The SBD won, and several Zeros were no longer available.
Ironically I was just debating with someone on the SBD vs the Ju 87 as a pure dive bomber.
The SBD was slightly later but seems to have all the better performance numbers...
Never heard of a Stuka shooting down 3 Spitfires in the one engagement. 😂
Whom else read the book " Flight Deck " by Robb White when they were a kid?
That was the book that lead me to be enamored of aviation for the rest of my life.
The book was about the exploits of a WW 2 Navel Aviator in the SBD. Imagine flying over
the South Pacific in a rain squall and having to navigate by "Dead Reckoning" trying to get
back to your carrier low on fuel.
Great book. Great plane.
"
As always a very good video🥰
And you are very brave😮,🤔 to visit a country that is demonstrably populated by so many people without sense and the majority of these also love weapons.😱
It must feel very strange to meet one and wonder if it is a Trump voter or one with sense.
My Mother's brother "Tucker" was shot down in one of these during the battle of Guadalcanal, so I have a soft spot in my heart for these aircraft.
Good video. Thank you to CAF Georgia for providing access.
I had no idea the plane could be flown from the gunner's position. Fascinating video, thanks.
One of my favorite WW2 planes. I've always found it unusual that one of the most successful carrier based airplanes didn't have folding wings.
Been a Dive Bomber. You really need the strongest, non failure prone wings possible. Ie. No hinges or folding mechanisms.
what a great plane !
Hmmm So what DID happen on June 4 1942 ? Maybe just some training flights I think nothing really big after all it was just a day like any other in the Pacific right ?
Lol! 😅😅
I’m surprised you did not get up in the air in her.
I share you affection for the SBD.
I do not know why, but it is one of my favorite aircraft.
i'm glad the CAF changed their name
Love the map board! The peek into the rear cockpit was cool too. Never got a good look into the rear before, and didn't realize that the gun was recessed into a compartment for storage. Thanks for the video!
This SBD visited Kennesaw airport back in 2005 or so, with the Mustang shown in the video. I could only choose one, so I flew in the Mustang. Still remains the only plane I’ve ever been at the controls of 😁.
Love the hat. Really nice bash.
Have always had a soft spot for The Dauntless, The Avenger, and The Devastator. Excellant video Herr Chris, sehr gut!
How easy is it for the gunner to turn around in his seat to face forward or rearward? Does the seat swivel around at all?
The seatback flips forward and back to change seating positions. Can't be done while sitting in the seat.
The Dauntless is just a good looking plane.
Dad flew an F6F-5 Hellcat on his missions in WW 2, but I've always liked the look of the SBD. It's not dramatically different in outward appearance from the T-6/SNJ trainer that was ubiquitous at air bases all over the country, and top speed of the SBD was similar to the T-6/SNJ as well..
Used to be "The Confederate Air Force" which was a funny twist on the Texas based firms location. Changing it to the woke Commemorative Air Force was a ridiculous change.
The Douglas SBD Dive Bomber was my first favorite WWII aircraft (4th Grade/9yo? - I was focused on the Pacific War), and I think the first plastic model I built respectably. Was surprised to learn there were aviation controls in the rear seat area: that seems unusual?
この機体がなければ帝國海軍の誇る赤城・加賀・蒼龍・飛龍がミッドウェイ沖で沈むことはなかった。
あの作戦は日本側の杜撰な部分とアメリカのインテリジェンスの高さが勝敗を分けたが、付け加えるなら勇敢なドーントレス乗りの決死の攻撃が敗北続きだったアメリカの流れを変えたとも言える。
正に戦局を変えた航空機であると思う。
The SBD is probably my favorite WW2 aircraft. I still don't understand the Navy's desire to phase it out with the SB2C.
Grandfather was an SBD tailgunner on USS Enterprise from 43-45. Sure wish he would have shared his stories. They died with him in 2004.
You refer to the aircraft’s sides as “starboard” and “port” side. Is not the Dauntless a carrier based aircraft? As such, I thought you should refer to its sides as left and right? So you don’t confuse the aircraft’s sides with those of the carrier?
Starboard is a nice big word, port is short. Pilots like things made easy, brain power can easily run out. Red and Green is good too.
@@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935 My understanding was that all air forces use the starboard/port convention with the exception of the naval one. Could be wrong though. I heard it on QI.
The cockpit seemed quite large and spacious. More so than many other aircraft in the same class. How comfortable were you in it?
From all that I have read US Navy pilots loved the Dauntless and disliked the replacement ~the Helldiver. The Curtis did have better longer distance capability. The Dauntless, like Wildcats, were shuffled off to smaller carriers & they were used to the end of the War.
Great video. Did the Dauntless originally have the telescopic tube sight or the Reflex reflector sight during the Midway battle?
An interesting show. If you like suggestions how about: a side by side by side comparison of the Dauntless, the Val and the Stuka?
Ive never been able to pin down why. But the SBD dauntless has always just lookes like a perfect plane. The best i can guess is that it is the middle ground visually between a war bird and a classic 40s, 50s civilian plane.
I always assumed the radio operator was stuck facing rearward for the whole flight. It must have been difficult for him to re-orient himself rearward to become the tail gunner. Does anyone know how such a contortionistic feat was accomplished?
Did I hear right? The rear position had flight controls??? Was always under impression the rear seater could, only, face rearwards?
And people wonder why F-16's are taking so long., 100 times more complicated.
A good looking aircraft has an unbuilt airfix in 1:24 scale bought late 70s, do not judge! School work and life interfered
Love the SBD.
Like a lot of planes the Allies started the war with - not perfect but good enough to hold the line.
Then….
Great video Chris 👍. Dauntless is a favourite of mine also.
I am always shocked at how bad the ergonomics were in almost all WW2 aircraft cockpits!😮
I love the Dauntless, I couldn’t click play fast enough.
Mmm, possibly my favorite among all USA aircraft.
I was very surprised to find that the gunner had the ability to control the aircraft with the optional stick and integrated backseat rudder controls. Sound like a modern "flight experience" from the back seat could include control of the airplane if the stick is employed.
@2:16 can we already talk about a "Gullwing" like on a Corsair or does it not fit the requirements?
Its successor, the Helldiver, will always live in its shadow. Sad but true.
Do you happen to know if the canteen holder on the left side was standard or was it just added on? Another great video, thank you.
The US Navy has had some excellent air frame designs in their inventory.
What a treat to see you do an inside cockpit of a flyable SBD. I am Jealous.
I think the lights on top of the wing are position lights used for formation flying, not navigation lights.
Love the SBD!
Didn't know it had dual controls! :D TIL
Thank you very much Chris. One of Douglas Aircraft Company's home-run birds.
Excellent tour as usual!
@militaryaviatonhistory. Some day: the audible difference between 2x .50, 4x .50, 6x .50 and 8x .50 cal Browning guns. Dauntless to F4u/P47.
Just an idea.
Was there any major difference from the Army version? The A-24?
Would be curious how you remove the back window to use the guns?
Were these planes ever used in the European Theater ? What was the life expectancy of the rear gunner ?
The red-trim roundel was used mid-1942
Great airplane, great job showing!!!
Slow But Deadly. A ship killer
Hearing this dubbed in Japanese was a weird experience
That is a very sexy aircraft. My favorite also.
Very cool tour. My grandfather flew SBDs with VB-10 for 2 cruises on CV-6 Enterprise. Participated in Marianas Turkey Shoot, Philippine Sea, Truuk Lagoon and other campaigns.
Americans really hit the jackpot with that degsin. Range, reliability, payload, accuracy, flight characteristics - everything was top notch.
Interesting fact: the designer of the Dauntless, also designed the the JU-87 Stuka for the Germans.
@MrLBPug ... to take commentator 'interesting facts' with a big pinch of salt.
The bombing window comes as news to me. The only other plane that I knew had one is the Stuka although now I suppose that there could be more. Thanks for the tour.
I think some (early?) Corsairs had them.
the Grumman Wildcat had windows in the lower fuselage, but not for bombing ... I don't really know why, but my guess is because it was a carrier aircraft and they felt it would help the pilot landing.
This was a very informative walk around. I didn’t know the backseater has numerous task other than being a gunner, especially seeing the flight controls as a backup in case the pilot was incapacitated. As always your videos are above and beyond informative. Thank you and keep up the good work.
So cool to see our friend 'Bismarck' taking business trips to the US. ;-)
I'm so early this morning [0230] it feels like I'm in the cockpit myself!
Just Incredible!
My favorite WWII plane by far. I am jealous that you got to check it out up close and sit in it! I'm still waiting for someone to make the Dauntless for DCS.
Excellent tour of the SBD...thank you, once again! I had no idea that the rear occupant had stick, rudder, and throttle controls. 😮 Riding in that rear cockpit is a top-level bucket list item for me.
I have always loved the SBD for the last 50 years, a beautiful airplane and so significant to our history. Thank you!
Thank you Chris! Been waiting for this one. Also one of my favorite airplanes. I was surprised that the gunner/radio operator also had flight controls.
Палубный пикировщик!
Love the way you put the outline overlays on the cockpit items. That should set a new standard for videos of this kind. Thank you.,
Excellent presentation. I would think that having to fly from the rear cockpit would have been pretty blind, but would have been better than having no way to get back in the direction of home had the pilot been unable to do so.
Landing on a land base would be essential.
@@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935 That, or just ditching near the fleet, would be better than trying to land on a carrier.
@@davidstrother496 And gear up, on land a tail dragger would be a death sentence to a total novice.
I watched just for the hat.
Douglas built great planes, and a lot of thought to the crew and making it easy to understand and I imagine fly.
Saw this aircraft at AirVenture 2 years ago, shes a real beauty up close. So glad they have her flying.
The SBD Dauntless had a greater effect on the course of history than any other single model of aircraft.
Great vid on a great bird!
Nicely done mate!
Thanks!
One of my favorites over the years. Have many pictures from visits to Ptree City.
I got to climb into the rear seat on this plane. It is a fond memory and I got my picture taken.
The Army had their own version of the Dauntless, called the A-24. No tailhook.
Not very successful.
I thought it was the USMC?
@@glenmoss02 Army Air Force used the A-24. USMC versions were still called SBD.
My absolutely favorite plane. Thank you