The SBD Dauntless - Consistently Slow, Consistently Deadly

[Tcao]

https://youtu.be/2Ov2_ucmhkQ?si=tuOgXr7nV7RbV7G1

[RangerJoe]

Slow But Deadly . . .

The Japanese AA gunners on Luzon would not shoot at them because they knew that if they did fire their AA weapons, the Marine SBDs would bomb them instead of their mission targets. The Marine pilots would put a bomb within 50 yards of their target.

[Yaab]

Also an adequate strafer aircraft.

[Sardaukar]

Pretty good in A2A too:

Here's a breakdown of the Dauntless's air-to-air combat achievements:

138 Confirmed Aerial Victories:
This impressive total includes a variety of Japanese aircraft, with a significant number being Zero fighters.

Positive Air-to-Air Kill Ratio:
The Dauntless is credited with a 3.2:1 kill ratio, meaning it shot down more enemy aircraft than it lost to enemy aircraft.

Battle of the Coral Sea:
SBDs from the USS Lexington and Yorktown played a crucial role in sinking the Japanese light carrier Shoho and engaging enemy fighters. Lt. (j.g.) Stanley "Swede" Vejtasa, flying a Dauntless, famously engaged and defeated three Zeros in this battle.

Battle of Midway:
The Dauntless was instrumental in the decisive American victory at Midway, contributing to the sinking of Japanese carriers.

Defense Against Torpedo Bombers:
Dauntless crews were also tasked with intercepting and engaging Japanese torpedo bombers, often successfully.
While the Dauntless was not a dedicated fighter, its performance in air-to-air combat highlights its versatility and the skill of its crews.

[Cavalry Corp]

Seems odd but true - I pimped them up a fair bit in my mod also gave them better loadouts as stock seems a bit of a cop out

Cav

[Sardaukar]

While not a fighter, Dauntless was apparently very nimble.

Plus according to pilots, it became easier to fly with every version and remained lot more popular than powerful but harder to handle SB2C.

[Cavalry Corp]

That sounds about what I have done in my mod - though TBH not sure how the coding handles as I do not notice any particular bomber with high agility does better than those without - but it's worth a try.

[BBfanboy]

That sounds about what I have done in my mod - though TBH not sure how the coding handles as I do not notice any particular bomber with high agility does better than those without - but it's worth a try.

I think the bomber agility has to be paired with high Air and/or Defensive skill and good (60+) Experience.