Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series Diecast Model

Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless – Lt. Richard H. Best, VB-6, USS Enterprise, U.S. Navy, June 4, 1942, Battle of Midway

1:72 Scale.  Length: 5.5".  Wingspan: 7"


Limited production of approximately 600 models worldwide

SBD-3 Dauntless 4687 from the USS Enterprise was flown by Lt. Richard H. Best, commanding officer of VB-6. On June 4, 1942 while flying Black B-1 from Bombing Six, Best and Murray took part in two sorties that day. The first mission took place in the morning against the IJNS Akagi and Kaga. In the afternoon they helped with the sinking of IJNS Hiryu. During the operation Best inhaled caustic fumes from a faulty oxygen bottle, damaging his lungs and forcing him into early retirement from active duty.

The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the main dive bomber of the US Navy from mid-1940 to 1944 when it was supplanted, although not entirely replaced, by the SB2C Helldiver. The Dauntless was used in every major Pacific conflict including the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944. A total of 5,936 SBDs were produced.


Hobby Master is a manufacturer of high quality, pre-built, diecast models. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft or vehicle. They are made with precision-tooled die-cast metal and some plastic components.

This model of an SBD-3 Dauntless features: