Douglas SBD Dauntless - Versions

Versions

XBT-2

prototype, airframe was a production Northrop BT-1 heavily modified and redesignated as the XBT-2. Further modified by Douglas as the XSBD-1.

SBD-1

Marine Corps version without self-sealing fuel tanks; 57 built.

SBD-1P

reconnaissance aircrafts, converted from SBD-1s.

SBD-2

Navy version with increased fuel capacity and different armament but without self-sealing fuel tanks, starting in early 1941; 87 built.

SBD-2P

reconnaissance aircraft, converted from SBD-2s.

SBD-3

began to be manufactured in early 1941. This provided increased protection, self-sealing fuel tanks, and four machine guns; 584 were built.

SBD-4

provided a 12-volt (up from six volt) electrical system; 780 built.

SBD-4P

reconnaissance aircraft, converted from SBD-4s.

SBD-5

The most produced version, primarily produced at the Douglas Aircraft plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Equipped with a 1,200-hp engine and an increased ammunition supply. A total of 2,965 were built, and a few were shipped to the Royal Navy for evaluation. In addition to American service, these experienced combat against the Japanese with No. 25 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force which soon replaced them with F4Us, and against the Luftwaffe with the Free French Air Force. A few were also sent to Mexico.

SBD-5A

as A-24B, for USAAF but delivered to USMC; 60 built.

SBD-6

The final version, providing more improvements, including a 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) engine, but production ended in the summer of 1944; 450 built.

A-24 Banshee (SBD-3A)

USAAF equivalent of the SBD-3 without arrestor hook; 168 built.

A-24A Banshee (SBD-4A)

USAAF equivalent of the SBD-4; 170 built.

A-24B Banshee (SBD-5A)

USAAF equivalent of the SBD-5; 615 built.