Hasegawa 1/48 SBD-3 Dauntless Plastic Model

Hasegawa 1/48 SBD-4 Dauntless Plastic Model Kit

Overview
- Highly detailed 1/48 scale plastic model kit of the SBD Dauntless, the U.S. Navy dive bomber famous from World War II.
- Accurate representation of the SBD-4 improvements and wartime service, ideal for advanced modelers, collectors, displays, and dioramas.
- Assembly and painting required.

Historical and technical highlights
- The basic SBD Dauntless design originated at Northrop El Segundo. After the El Segundo factory was sold to Douglas, the XBT-2 was redesignated XSBD-1 and development continued, forming the basis of the SBD Dauntless.
- Mass production began in April 1939 with 57 SBD-1s produced for the Marine Corps and 87 SBD-2s for the U.S. Navy.
- After the fall of France, an order for 174 SBD-3s introduced many improvements derived from combat experience in Europe.
- The engine was updated to the improved R-1820-52 while maintaining the same horsepower.
- Armor protection for crew and fuel tanks was strengthened with enhanced armor plates and adoption of self sealing fuel tanks.
- Forward fixed armament was upgraded from two 7.7 mm guns to two 12.7 mm guns, and the rear cockpit machine gun became a twin 7.7 mm mounting.
- Electrical system voltage was increased from 12 V to 24 V. The nose air intake was lowered to improve forward visibility.
- These upgrades increased aircraft weight and reduced top speed, yet the SBD-3 remained in high demand. A further 500 aircraft were ordered after the start of the Pacific War, bringing SBD-3 production to 584.
- SBD units played a key role in the Battles of Midway and the Coral Sea.
- The SBD-4, delivered from October 1942, added radio navigation aids and basic airborne radar, significantly enhancing combat capability over the SBD-3.
- Additional improvements on the SBD-4 included an extra electric fuel pump plus an emergency pump, and a change to a Hamilton Standard Hydromatic constant speed propeller for more efficient engine power use.
- A total of 780 SBD-4s were produced.
- Later SBD variants continued with the SBD-5 and SBD-6, and the type was adopted by the U.S. Army as the A-24. The Dauntless low wing monoplane layout, retractable main gear, and tandem crew arrangement influenced subsequent propeller driven dive bomber designs.

Specifications
- Crew: 2
- Wingspan: 12.65 m
- Length: 9.80 m
- Height: 4.14 m
- Loaded weight: 4,717 kg
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1820-52, takeoff power 1,000 hp
- Maximum speed: 402 km/h
- Armament: 2 x 12.7 mm fixed forward machine guns, 2 x 7.7 mm rear machine guns

Product details
- Product type: Plastic model kit
- Scale: 1/48
- Series: Hasegawa JT series
- Aircraft country: United States
- Product code: JT19
- JAN code: 4967834051195

Model kit features
- Accurate exterior and cockpit detailing based on SBD-4 configuration
- Includes parts representing upgraded armor and fuel tank layout
- Suitable for display, diorama work, and advanced kit building projects