Warbird Information Exchange

So what difference is there to the SBD-1, -2, and -3? I know all three versions were present at Pearl Harbor on Dec 7th. The flight of SBD's -2 and -3's from VS-6 and VB-6 that ended up flying into the Pearl Harbor attack. Ewa MCAS had -1 versions. And I beleive VMSB-241 at Midway operated SBD-2's at the Battle of Midway. Was this the last combat for the -2 versions?

Thanks.
Nathan

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Nathan,

The SBD-1 has a much larger intake fairing on top of the cowl than the -2 or 3. There are other differences, but I don't have my references handy. That prompts a question from me that maybe David Aiken could answer: Were all the Marine -1s at MCAS Ewa camouflaged or was the commander's airplane still in the prewar scheme?

Scott

Thanks Scott. I noted the larger intake before but wasn't sure. I never really studied up on the SBD much. I know what SBD-1 your talking about. I think there might have been a few others in the overall light gray scheme. But not sure.

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The Ewa airplanes were almost all in the overall grey camo by 7 December. I have seen an aerial photo taken just after the attack that seems to show at least one SBD in the prewar scheme and I think it is the unit commander's airplane. I've got an Accurate Miniatures -1 that I'd like to build in that scheme.

There were a lot of internal differences between the -1 and -2. The early airplanes were assigned to the Marine Corps as they weren't fully combat-configured, if I recall correctly.

Scott

Here are some "Key" difference that I have been able to find for the variants.

SBD-1: All went to the USMC
SBD-2: All went to the USN but had a few changes over the -1 (e.g. greater range, autopilot, reduction in size of the carburetor intake scoop).

Note: The orders for the -1 and -2 were placed on the same day April 8, 1939

SBD-3:self-sealing fuel tanks, crew armour,armoured windshield,dual 30 cal in gunner position, flotation equipment removed.
SBD-4: main difference was the change to a 24 volt electrical system.

The restored SBD on display at the NMNA was at Pear Harbor the morning of the attack, Battle of Coral Sea, and Battle of Midway. Pretty impressive history.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

The information I have is as follows
SBD-1 Initial production model, with a 1000hp R-1820-32, three 0.3 inch guns, (two nose, one dorsal) and 1200lb of bombs. 57 built for the USMC.

SBD-2 As SBD-1 but with crew armour, self sealing fuel tanks, increased fuel capacity and underwing racks for 2 x 100lb bombs.

SBD-3 As SBD-2 but with detail improvements. 24 volt electrical system, two 0.5 inch nose guns, two 0.3 inch dorsal guns and 1600lb of bombs. 1000hp R-1820-52 engine.

SBD-4 As SBD-3 but with Hamilton Standard airscrew, electrical fuel pumps.

The SBD-2 did not originally have self sealing fuel tanks or armour though would have been retrofitted later.

These items commenced in the SBD-3 and -2's were not used -at least by one carrier (during Coral or Midway) unless these mods had been undertaken.

regards

Mark

PS SBD-2P 2173 recovered from Lake Michigan in June originally did not have this equipment. On being rebuilt in late 1941 after crash these items (being installed on the -3) were fitted to 2173 as well and was therefore operated by VS-5 on USS Yorktown (CV-5)

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