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Type:
    Carrier based dive bomber (SBD)
    Land based dive bomber (A-24)
Origin: Douglas Aircraft
Crew: 2
Models: SBD-1 to -6, A-24
First Flight: XBT-1: July 1935
Service Delivery:
   XBT-1: December 12, 1935
   BT-1: November 15, 1937 to October 19, 1938
   XBT-2: July 23, 1938
   SBD-1: June 4, 1940
Final Delivery: July 22, 1944
Production: 5,936
Powerplant:
Model: Wright R-1820-32 or -52
Type: 9-cylinder radial engine
Horsepower: 1,000 hp
      Or
Model: Wright R-1820-60 or -66
Type: 9-cylinder radial engine
Horsepower: 1,200 hp

Dimensions:
Wing Span: 12.65m (41 ft. 6 in.)
Length: 10.06m (33 ft.)
Height: 3.94m (12 ft. 11 in.)
Wing Area: N/A

Weights:
Empty: 2970 kg (6,535 lb)
Maximum: 4320-4852 kg (9,519 - 10,700 lb)

Performance:
Max. Speed (SBD-5): 406 km/h (252 mph)
Initial Climb: 1,500 ft/min (457 m/min)
Service Ceiling: 7400m (24,300 ft.)
Max. Range (Dive Bomber): 730 km (456 miles)
Max. Range (Scout Bomber): 1240 km (773 miles)

   Armament:
One (Later two) .50 in. Browning fixed in nose
One (Later two) .30 in. Browning manually aimed in rear cockpit

Bomb Load:
1,000 lb. (454 kg) of bombs centerline swinging crutch
Outer wing racks for two bombs or depth charges up to 250 lb. (113 kg)

Avionics:
N/A

Production & Variants:
SBD-1: 57 aircraft
SBD-2: 87 aircraft, greater fuel capacity
SBD-3: 584 aircraft, armour & self-sealing tanks
   Plus An additional 168 aircraft built for the Army with
   a pneumatic tail wheel and no tailhook
SBD-4: 780 aircraft, 24V electrical system
   Plus An additional 170 aircraft built for the Army
SBD-5: 3,024 aircraft, 1,200hp engines
   Plus An additional 615 aircraft built for the Army
   as the A-24B
SBD-6: 451 aircraft, 1,350hp engines

Comments:
Based on the Northrop A-17A, the BT-1 flew for the first time In July of 1935. Northrop eventually became the El Segundo Division of Douglas and thus the BT-2 was redesignated the SBD-1. The SBD was one of the Navy's most important combat aircraft and sunk more tonnage of Japanese shipping than any other aircraft and was responsible for stopping the Imperial Japanese fleet at Midway.

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Sources:
Gunston, Bill - The Encyclodepia of the Worlds Combat aircraft, 1976, Chartwell Books, Inc., New York
The Complete Encyclodepia of World Aircraft, 1997, Barnes & Nobles Books, ISBN: 0 7607 0592 5