British SBD Mk I
The Royal Navy utilized a limited number of Dauntless aircraft, though not for combat missions. Instead, these planes were used exclusively for testing the Mk VIII reflector gunsight, which had replaced the older telescopic version, as well as the Auto Pilot system. The initial three aircraft were delivered under contract No.a(S)269 and Requisition No.N-1004, with serial numbers JS997 to JS999. An additional six aircraft were supplied under the same contract and requisition numbers, bearing serial numbers JT923 to JT928.
Aircraft JS997 (BuNo.36022) was accepted by the US Navy in September 1943, shipped to Speke, reassembled, and underwent flight testing. In November, it was delivered to No.1 AD (Autopilot Development) Flight at RAE Farnborough for general handling and autopilot testing. In February 1945, it was transferred to the Instrument Flight, and in June 1945, it moved to the Station Flight at Eastleigh. The Dauntless remained in service until August, after which it was decommissioned and scrapped.