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  A-20A "Dragon Lady / Riff Raff / Carolina" Serial Number 40-132  
USAAF
5th AF
3rd BG
89th BS

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20A Havoc serial number 40-132. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 89th Bombardment Squadron (89th BS). Nicknamed "Riff Raff" and later "Carolina" then "Dragon Lady".

On January 8, 1943 took off from 3 Mile Drome (Kila Kila) near Port Moresby piloted by Lt. John G. Kelly Jr. on a mission against Lae. Over the target, the hydraulic system was damaged. Before landing, the wheels failed to extend. Instead, this A-20 force landed at 7 Mile Drome without injury. Afterwards, repaired and resumed flying.

On April 4, 1943 this A-20 was again damaged. The nose section of A-20A "Old Man Mose" 40-101 was used to repair this aircraft. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-20A Havoc 40-132
"132 in accident Jan 11, 1943 [sic]"
Diary of 89th A-20 pilot John G. Kelly Jr. - January 8, 1943 via Edward Rogers
"Tried to get to Lae, hydro. lines shot out on way. Returned to Kila and tried to shake wheels down. Crashed at 7 Mile Strip Everyone okay. K-20."
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information

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Last Updated
April 15, 2023

 

Tech Info
A-20
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