Designed as a light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, various versions of the Dauntless served during the war with the US Marine Corps, Army and Navy. The Douglas was the only plane to fight in every major Pacific engagement. The SBD-3, sarcastically nicknamed 'Speedy Three', entered service in March 1941 with production ending in July 1944, by which time a total of 5,936 had been built in all versions.
This large and highly detailed model is finished in the paint and lettering carried by VB-16 aircraft White 39 flown by Lt. Cook Cleland from USS Lexington during the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944.