Flight Handbook, SBD-5 Dive Bomber, US Navy 1943

Here is an original, authentic WWII-era Flight Handbook for the US Navy's SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless Dive Bomber, dated 1943, with an interesting history.

At ~5 inches by ~7.5 inches, this 130-page handbook is large-pocket-size. In text, illustrations, and graphs, it covers all essential aspects of the aircraft for the pilots reference.

This handbook came to us from the estate of Robert D. Nesen of US Navy Training Squadron VN-2, an SBD pilot who went on to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy and eventyally appointed by President Ronald Reagan as US Ambassador to Australia from 1981-85.  We are honored to have the privilege of preserving his legacy by holding the manual in our collection.