Please Support our Efforts to Return the Mighty SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber to Pearl Harbor

Please join Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum’s efforts to transport a rare Navy/Douglas SBD Dauntless to Pearl Harbor, where she will serve as a centerpiece of the 75th Commemoration of the end of World War II in 2020.

The SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber is a spectacular machine of liberty and freedom that brought victory to the Battle of Midway, turning the tide of the Pacific War in the Allies’ favor. It was an essential part of America’s success in the Pacific during the War. This aircraft, one of 14 of a unique photo-reconnaissance version SBD-2P variant, bureau number 2173, performed air combat operations in the Pacific Theater and aircraft pilot qualifications on Lake Michigan.

Lost in a 1944 mishap, she remained at the bottom of Lake Michigan until 65 years later when Fred Turner, former Chairman and CEO of McDonald’s Restaurant, and the experience of A and T Recovery, helped make her recovery possible. Since then, she has been painstakingly restored by a team, including the Kalamazoo Air Zoo and over 1,000 middle-school through university students, with funding provided by Fred Turner, the Lendo Family, and The Boeing Company.

Please support our efforts by donating now to help us return this valiant aircraft to Pearl Harbor where she will be a treasured part of our museum as long as there is a United States of America.