PORTAGE, MI — A rare, combat-flown World War II U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-2P “Dauntless” Dive Bomber recovered from the bottom of Lake Michigan arrived Friday at Air Zoo, where it will be restored.

Douglas Dauntless
The Air Zoo aerospace & science museum in Portage draws a crowd Friday, July 1st, to observe and celebrate the arrival of a rare, combat-flown World War II U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-2P “Dauntless” Dive Bomber recovered from the bottom of Lake Michigan. (Mark Bugnaski/MLive.com)

After evaluating aviation museums throughout the country, the Naval History and Heritage Command selected the aerospace & science museum in Portage to perform the restoration of the aircraft. It is expected to take three to five years to complete, and will be done mostly by Air Zoo volunteers.

This SBD-2P is third Lake Michigan-recovered aircraft project granted to the Air Zoo, whose restoration center is considered one of the nation’s best for military aircraft restoration work.

Volunteers and Air Zoo staff gathered Friday to celebrate the arrival of the plane.

Read more: http://www.mlive.com

Douglas Dauntless recovered from Lake Michigan to be restored by Air Zoo

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