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Douglas A-20 Havoc
Technical Information

Background
The Douglas Aircraft Company A-20 Havoc was a robust aircraft, highly regarded by pilots in terms of durability, safety and ease of flight. In the Pacific, was used as a low level strafer and parafrag bomber and fly more missions than any other 5th Air Force bomber type. One of its only drawbacks were limited range and the disastrous April 16, 1944 "Black Sunday" when many A-20s were lost in New Guinea. The type was in service in World War II in the Pacific. Although the newer A-26 Invader had better performance and capabilities, the older A-20 remained in use by the 5th Air Force (5th AF) in the Pacific as dependable and preferred by pilots and crews.

DB-7 Export Version
The prototype Douglas DB-7 first flew in December 1938, and subsequent versions were the most produced of all American aircraft in the "attack" category. Amongst the many variants, DB-7s operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) nicknamed Bostons. Also used by the France and Soviet.

A-20A
In the spring of 1941, The U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) ordered 123 A-20As equipped with R-2600-3 radial engines plus 20 more with R-2600-11 radial engines. During October 1943 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 22 Squadron was assigned nine A-20As from 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 89th Bombardment Squadron (89th BS) when they converted to A-20Cs. In RAAF service, nicknamed Boston.

P-70
Radar equipped and additional nose guns used as a night fighter.

Service with USN
In U.S. Navy (USN) service, this aircraft was designation BD-1 and BD-2.

Production
A-20 production halted in September 1944 with more than 7,000 built for the U.S. and the Allies.

References
ADF Serials - RAAF A28 Douglas DB-7B, A-20A, A-20C & A20G Boston

Technical Details (A-20G-20-DO Havoc)
Crew  Two or Three (pilot, top turret, radio)
Engine   2 × Wright R-2600-23 Twin Cyclone 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,600 hp each with three bladed propellers
Span  61' 3.5"
Length  47' 11"
Height  18' 1.5"
Maximum Speed  317 mph at 10,700'
Range  945 miles / 1,521 km / 821 nautical miles
Armament  (nose) 6 x .50 caliber machine guns, (Top Turret) 2 x .50 caliber machine guns, (Rear) 1x .50 caliber machine gun
Bomb load  4,000 pounds / 1,800 kg



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