Hobby Master 1/32 HA0211 Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless flown by CDR Howard Young, Commander of the Enterprise Air Group, Pearl Harbour

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.

On December 7, 1941 Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless Bu.No. 2162 piloted by CDR Howard Young who was the Commander of the Enterprise Air Group led 18 SBD’s from the USS Enterprise to Ford Island and unfortunate timing found their arrival in the middle of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Not only were they being shot at by Japanese planes but friendly fire was a large threat. Unfortunately five SBD’s were lost with the others landing safely. CDR Howard Young led other attacks including Wake Island but was killed shortly after.