![]() ![]() SBD-5s pictured on the assembly line at Douglas Aircraft Company El Segundo Plant, California (USA), 1943 When the buffeting complaint first surfaced during testing with the flaps fully open, Ed Heinemann took a ride in the backseat to see for himself. This detail was developed on the BT-1 after serious tail buffeting was experienced while diving.ģ18 slightly ovalized three-inch holes were drilled into the flaps upon the suggestion of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. The hydraulically actuated perforated split-flaps and dive-brakes were the most distinctive feature of the Dauntless. Twin flexible 7.62 mm (0.30 in) Browning M1919 machine gun in the rear cockpit of a Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless 1942 Distinctive feature The gunner did not have control over the landing gear or tail hook, but he had just enough control that he could return to the carrier and ditch nearby. ![]() The rear cockpit control stick could be unclipped from the left cockpit sidewall and inserted into a socket in the floor. It had a two-man tandem cockpit with emergency flight controls for the rear gunner. The configuration of the Dauntless was a three spar, low-wing, cantilever monoplane of all-metal construction, except for the fabric covered flight controls. The new model XBT-2, became the forerunner of the now well known Dauntless. On November 28, 1937, numerous major modifications were ordered on the BT-1, one of which was the landing gear being changed from retracting backwards into large fairing trousers beneath the wings, to folding laterally into recessed wheel wells. ![]() Aircraft being serviced – Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 1944 Northrop was dissolved on Septemand Northrop designs continued production under Douglas. The airplane originated with the design of the Northrop BT-1, powered by a 700 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535-64 Twin Wasp Junior engine. Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless Photo: Airwolfhound Design It served during WWII with the US Navy, US Marines and US Army air squadrons. The Dauntless SBD (Scout Bomber Douglas) despite being slow and low-tech, it would change the course of the Naval Pacific war. Designed as a light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft by designer Ed Heinemann who worked for Jack Northrop. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |