U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-1 Dauntless

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The Douglas SBD Dauntless is a World War II American naval scout plane and dive bomber that was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft from 1940 through 1944. The SBD (“Scout Bomber Douglas”) was the United States Navy’s main carrier-based scout/dive bomber from mid-1940 through mid-1944. The SBD was also flown by the Marine Corps, both from land air bases and aircraft carriers. The SBD is best remembered as the bomber that delivered the fatal blows to the Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway in June of 1942. During its combat service, the SBD proved to be an excellent naval scout plane and dive bomber.

A Douglas SBD Dauntless, aircraft Number U-61, was used by Navy personnel at the University of New Mexico and local high school students at the Albuquerque High School Manual Arts Department for aircraft engine and structural repair training from 1942 to 1946. The Air Depot, located on Sandia Base in Albuquerque, provided the instructors and equipment and taught the classes.

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