The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a World War II American naval scout plane and dive bomber. It was similar to the Aichi D3A but with greater bomb load and armor protection.
Generally rugged and reliable, it served alongside the TBF Avenger as the backbone of the American fleet air arm. The plane is best kown for sinking the four Japanese aircraft carriers at the Battle of Midway.
The aircraft was designed by Ed Heinemann who would subsequently design the A-1 Skyraider and the A-4 Skyhawk.
