In the thread I created about Most overrated Aircraft the subject came up about divebombers. It reminded me about the Air to Air victories attained by the SBD Dauntless. Heres a few snippets of info.On 20 Feb 42 a SBD from VS-2 operating off the USS Lexington scored an aerial victory against the Japanese. It shot down a G4M1 bomber. Another SBD finished off another G4M1 that had been damaged by a F4F Wildcat. Some SBDs were also used for Combat Air Patrol work too. Also LtJG John Leppla and his aviation radioman/gunner John Liska are credited with having downed 7 enemy aircraft during the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 8th, 1942, while flying scout duty in their SBD-3. Some accounts put the total at 5 aircraft.The SBD was credited with 138 victories in air-to-air combat. The breakdown was 107 fighters and 31 bombers; carrier-based SBDs destroyed 75 fighters and 31 bombers; land-based SBDs destroyed 32 fighters and 0 bombers.

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

I'm the "Confederate with a pipe"!! LOL