Hobby Master HA0174 SBD-3 Dauntless LtCdr C. Wade McClusky CAG USS Enterprise Battle of Midway 1/72
Detailed 1:72 scale model of the Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless aircraft flown by Lieutenant Commander C. Wade McClusky, Air Group Commander aboard USS Enterprise during the Battle of Midway, 4 June 1942.
Designed as a light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, various versions of the Dauntless served workhorse of the US Navy in the Pacific. The Dauntless dive-bomber 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.
June 4, 1942 LCDR C. Wade McClusky led aircraft to locate the Japanese Fleet off Midway Island. When they arrived the enemy had gone so McClusky made a history altering decision. He guessed correctly where the Japanese Fleet was and his Group attacked and sank two carriers. Two Zeros attacked and his gunner W.G. Chochalousek managed to down one plane but 55 bullets ripped through the Dauntless wounding McClusky but not harming the gunner. He nursed the plane back to the Enterprise and later was awarded the Navy Cross.