Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless - Slow but Deadly #4 (Interim Variant)

[Nostalgistic]

Would you like to see this in-game?

• Yes
• No

SBD-4 Dauntless

   Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless for War Thunder. While the SBD-4 is indeed similar to the SBD-3, it had some minor changes, such as new propellers and radar equipment for surface vessel search. Hence, I believe the SBD-4 is a worthy candidate as either a battle pass trophy, event, premium, or squadron aircraft. Please pardon my short writeup story since there is not much information available about this variant due to a short-lived history of service in the US Navy.

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Key Characteristics

• Naval dive Bomber
• New 24-volt electrical system instead of old 12-volt system (meaningless in the game)
• Installation of Air to Surface Vessel radar with a Yagi array antenna under each wing
• Retained 1,000-hp Wright R-1820-52 Cyclone engine
• A new Hamilton Standard constant-speed variable propeller, with old spinner removed
• New electric fuel pump instead of a hand-operated fuel boost pump

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History

In late 1942, Douglas introduced the slightly improved SBD-4. It was very similar to the SBD-3 but featured a new 24-volt electrical system, new Air-to-Surface radar through field modifications, a Hamilton Standard constant-speed propeller, and an electric fuel pump. All these changes impacted the weight in a minorly relative increase, making it a slightly slower version than the SBD-3.

The US Navy and Marine Corps began to receive new SBD-4s in October 1942. These SBD-4s would participate in Solomon Islands, Gilbert and Marshall Islands, and Mariana and Palau Islands campaigns before phased out by early 1944.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force also received 23 SBD-4s, and the 25th Squadron RNZAF used them in combat over the South Pacific before being replaced by F4U Corsairs.

A total of 780 SBD-4s were produced in the middle of the war before being phased out and replaced with SB2C Helldivers.

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Specifications

Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless

General Characteristics

• Crew: 2 (Pilot and Gunner)
• Length: 32 ft 8 in (9.9 m)
• Height: 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
• Span: 41 ft 7 in (12.67 m)
• Wing Area: 325 sq ft (30 sq m)
• Propeller Type: 3-bladed Hamilton constant-speed variable propeller
• Propeller Diameter: 10 ft 10 in (3.3 m)
• Powerplant: Wright R-1820-52 Cyclone 9-cylinder radial piston engine
  → 1,000 hp (735 kW)
• Internal Fuel: 260 US gal. (984 L)
• Oil Tankage: 16.5 US gal. (62.5 L)
• Empty Weight: 6,345 lb (2,878 kg)
• Gross Weight: 10,400 lb (4,717 kg)

Engine ratings

• Takeoff:

  → 1,000 BHP @ 2,350 RPM @ S.L.

• Normal:

  → 950 BHP @ 2,300 RPM @ S.L.

  → 800 BHP @ 2,300 RPM @ 16,000 ft

General Performance w/ one 1,000-lb bomb

• Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.10 lb/hp (0.16 kW/kg)
• Sea Level Speed: 224 mph (360 km/h)
• Critical Altitude Speed: 241 mph @ 16,000 ft (387 km/h @ 4,877 m)
• Stall Speed:
  • Gross Weight: 81.8 mph (132 km/h)
  • Empty Fuel: 75.7 mph (122 km/h)
• Wing Loading: 32.1 lb/sq ft (156.7 kg/sq m)
• Takeoff Distance - Calm: 1,250 ft (381 m)
• Rate of Climb: 950 fpm (4.8 m/s)
• Time to Altitude:
  • 12.0 minutes to 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
  • 37.4 minutes to 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
• Service Ceiling: 22,800 ft (6,949 m)
• Max. Range: 1,205 miles @ 152 mph (1,939 km @ 245 km/h)

Armament

• Guns:

  • 2 x .50-cal. M2 Browning machine guns (360 rounds)
  • 2 x .30-cal. M1919 Browning machine guns in a turret (2,000 rounds)
  • 2 x Douglas DGP-1 Twin .50-cal. Gun Packages (1,360 rounds)

• Bombs: (Maximum Payload: 1,200 lb)

  • 1 x 1,600-lb armor-piercing bomb
  • 1 x 1,000-lb bomb
  • 1 x Type A Mark I mine
  • 1 x 500-lb bomb
  • 2 x 100-lb bombs
  • 3 x 325-lb Depth bombs

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Supplemental Data

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Diagrams

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Cockpit

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SBD Livery Examples - Illustration

 

Standard Scheme - Intermediate Blue and Insignia White

 

Tricolor Scheme - Semi Gloss Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue and Insignia White

 

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Images

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Conclusion | Why it should be in the game

   I made this suggestion to pursue more WW2 content for War Thunder. This particular model is a perfect candidate as either a battle pass trophy, event, premium, or squadron aircraft because the US aviation tree has no premium dive bomber. So, putting this SBD-4 as a potential premium dive bomber would be a nice equivalent to the premium Ju-87 R-2 Libya in the German aviation tree.

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See Also

Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless - Slow but Deadly #5 (Definitive Variant)

poll [image] SBD-5 Dauntless    Hello, I’d like to suggest the Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless for War Thunder. The SBD-5 was the definitive and the most produced variant, featuring a new engine and some changes. This model deserves a place in the game, considering its noteworthy service during the war. Key Characteristics Naval dive bomber Most produced SBD variant (over 3,000) New 1,200-hp Wright R-1820-60 Cyclone engine Modern reflector sight instead of old telescopic sight New air-to-ground …

Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless - Slow but Deadly #6 (Final Variant)

poll [image] SBD-6 Dauntless    Hello, I’d like to suggest the Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless for War Thunder. The SBD-6 was the ultimate and the final variant, featuring a new engine and some changes. It had limited service in the US Navy and was considered quickly obsolete by the time SB2C Helldiver was introduced to the service. Still, it is worth suggesting since it would be a good addition for the dedicated completionists. Key Characteristics Naval dive bomber Last production variant New 1…

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Sources

• SBD-3 and SBD-4 Dauntless Performance Data (6 August 1942)
• SBD Dauntless in Action (1984)
• SBD Dauntless in Detail & Scale (2002)
• SBD Dauntless Walk Around (2004)
• Differences between Dauntless Versions (SBD-1…4) | Airplanes in 3D
• Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless – Yanks Air Museum
• https://www.uswarplanes.net/dauntless.pdf
• Douglas SBD Dauntless (A-24 Banshee)
• Douglas SBD Dauntless & Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
• Pearl Harbor Douglas SBD Dauntless Scout / Dive Bomber
• Douglas SBD Dauntless (1939)
• Douglas SBD Dauntless - Wikipedia

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Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃

[BOMBAY9997042]

keep the sbd suggestions rolling!

[Nostalgistic]

Updated SBD-4 Specifications with Engine Ratings; added Supplemental Data and Diagrams sections.

[jon_man1199]

Sure, why not, I would love to see more SBDs. A +1 from me