Test renders of the 'Dauntless'. The Scout Bomber Douglas Dauntless was the standard shipborne dive-bomber of the US Navy. Role- Dive bomber, Scout plane. National Origin- United States. Manufacturer- Douglas Aircraft. Designer- Ed Heinemann. First flight - 1 May 1940. Introduction- 1940. Retired- 1959 (Mexico). Primary users- • U.S. Navy • U.S. Marine Corps • Free French Air Force. Produced- 1940–1944. Number built- 5,936. Length: 10.06 m. Developed from- Northrop BT. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_SBD_Dauntless