Original U.S. WWII Douglas SBD Dauntless Cockpit Aircraft Telescope Sight - Mark V, Mod. 1 by Wollensak Optical Co. - Dated 1941
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Original Item. Only One Available. The Douglas SBD Dauntless is a World War II American naval scout plane and dive bomber that was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft from 1940 through 1944. The SBD ("Scout Bomber Douglas") was the United States Navy's main carrier-based scout/dive bomber from mid-1940 through mid-1944. The SBD was also flown by the United States Marine Corps, both from land air bases and aircraft carriers. The SBD is best remembered as the bomber that delivered the fatal blows to the Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. The type earned its nickname "Slow But Deadly" (from its SBD initials) during this period.
This is a great example of a Cockpit telescope sight used on the Dauntless. The side of the sight reads:
U.S. NAVY-BUREAU OF ORDNANCE
AIRCRAFT TELESCOPE SIGHT - MARK V. MOD. 1
INSPECTOR H.T.M. NO. 4332
MADE BY
WOLLENSAK OPTICAL CO.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. 1941
The sight is still very clear and crisp, sporting a really gorgeous reticle with 100 MILS at the bottom. The sight measures 12 x 4 x 2½” and is mounted on the original bracket which is stamped 21775-2 11 and 21825-3. The sight still retains its large red rubber eyepiece which is cracking a bit.
This is a really phenomenal piece of gear from one of the more niche aircraft of WWII. From what we’ve read, these tended to fog up easily in the Pacific. Comes ready for further research and display.
During its combat service, the SBD proved to be an effective naval scout plane and dive bomber. It possessed long range, good handling characteristics, maneuverability, potent bomb load, great diving characteristics from the perforated dive brakes. By the middle months of 1943 the bomber was considered by pilots to be too vulnerable for service owing to its armament and slow speed, and was relegated to non-combat roles.
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