Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:08:34-2:08:59

A Royal Navy Dauntless would need folding wings

British adoption of the SBD Dauntless would require reduced span or folding wings because compact shipboard stowage was a Royal Navy aircraft requirement.

Aircraft CarriersAircraft DevelopmentFleet Air ArmFolding WingsNaval AviationSBD Dauntless
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Question

Would a Royal Navy SBD Dauntless need reduced-span or folding wings?

Short answer

Yes; folding or reduced-span wings would be required to meet British carrier-aircraft stowage rules.

Notes

The Royal Navy could not simply accept the land footprint of the standard SBD Dauntless for carrier service. Folding wings or another span-reduction measure would be needed to fit British shipboard handling and stowage practice. This was a normal Fleet Air Arm requirement rather than a criticism of the U.S. Navy design. The conversion would therefore add engineering work even though the basic aircraft was already proven.