Aircraft BuNo. 4687 from the USS Enterprise (The Big E) (CV-6) was flown by the 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. Douglas SBD-3 DauntlessFirst flown in 1938, The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the United States Navy's main dive-bomber during World War II. The Dauntless featured "Swiss cheese" flaps-dive brakes punched with 3-inch holes, which helped it achieve pinpoint accuracy when diving to the target. The cockpit accommodated the pilot, who doubled as the bombardier and manned a fixed-forward gun. The rear cockpit contained a machine gun and played a major defensive role. During the Battle of Midway, SBD dive-bomber attacks fatally damaged all four of the Japanese aircraft carriers, and heavily damaged two cruisers.© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc. Postage Stamp PlanesThe "Postage Stamp Planes" range presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft."Postage Stamp Planes" diecast airplanes feature:
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