In regards to the Dauntless pilots shooting down Zeros. The first book I ever read, back in about 2nd grade back in the 60s contained the story of "Swede" Vejtasa and John Leppela flying Dauntlesses against Zeros when they got pressed into CAP duty during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Both claimed 3 Zekes a piece. Both ended up in F4Fs later on. How accurate the story was, I don't know. "Swede' became an ace I know with more kills in Wildcats.
I'm guessing, like me, any of the guys building model planes back then, built the Monogram SBD and knew that story well as we fought against Zeros in our imaginations