Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless Aircraft "Dusty Kleiss S-7 Scouting Six USS Enterprise" (1942) United States Navy "Premium Collection" 1/32 Diecast Model by Hobby Master

• Brand new 1/32 scale diecast model of Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless Aircraft "Dusty Kleiss, S-7, Scouting Six, USS Enterprise" (1942) United States Navy "Premium Collection" die cast model by Hobby Master.
• Brand new box.
• Detailed exterior.
• True-to-scale detail.
• Officially licensed product.
• Includes missile accessories.
• Has detachable landing gear.
• Manufacturer's original unopened packaging.
• Dimensions approximately Length- 12.5, Wingspan- 15.75 inches.
• Diecast metal and plastic construction for durability and a heavy, realistic feel.
• It is a highly detailed and accurate model, perfect for collectors and enthusiasts of military history.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels, and surface details for an authentic representation of the real-life airplane.

HISTORY ASPECTS:
The Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless, Bureau Number 3232, marked S-7, was flown by Lieutenant (junior grade) Norman “Dusty” Kleiss of Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6) aboard the USS Enterprise during the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. The Dauntless was the U.S. Navy’s primary carrier-based dive bomber at the time, and despite being slower and less modern than some of its contemporaries, it had already proven its worth in the early months of the Pacific War. With a robust airframe, excellent diving characteristics, and a deadly 1,000 lb bomb load, the SBD became a decisive weapon in halting Japanese expansion across the Pacific.
During the climactic morning strikes of June 4, Kleiss and his fellow Dauntless pilots located and attacked the Japanese carrier Kaga. Diving steeply from altitude under intense anti-aircraft fire, Kleiss released his bomb with precision, scoring a direct hit. His attack contributed to the destruction of Kaga, one of four Japanese carriers sunk during the battle. Later that day, he struck again, delivering another devastating hit on the carrier Hiryu. Kleiss became the only dive bomber pilot at Midway to score confirmed hits on two different Japanese carriers in a single day, an achievement that cemented his place in aviation history.
The success of Kleiss and his squadron mates marked a turning point in the Pacific War. The Battle of Midway decisively shifted the balance of naval power, crippling Japan’s carrier force and giving the U.S. Navy the strategic initiative. SBD-3 BuNo. 3232, like other Dauntlesses at Midway, symbolized the courage and skill of U.S. naval aviators, demonstrating that well-trained pilots and reliable aircraft could overcome even the most formidable adversary. The Dauntless would continue to serve effectively until the end of the war, remembered above all for its vital role in securing victory at Midway.
This 1:32 scale model meticulously recreates the aircraft as it appeared on June 4, 1942, complete with Scouting Six markings and battle-weathered detailing. A centerpiece for any World War II aviation collection, it honors one of the most decisive missions in naval history and the pilot whose precision helped change the course of the Pacific War.