Douglas A-20 Havoc
practising skip bombing
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The Douglas A-20C was originally produced for export to Britain and the Soviet Union under lend-lease, but a large number were retained in the United States after Pearl Harbor. The A-20C was very similar to the DB-7B/ Boston III, with the same straight edge to the glass nose, self sealing fuel tanks and better armour than the A-20B. The A-20C was powered by 1,600hp Wright R-2600-23 engines, and the main change from the Boston III was the use of more efficient individual exhaust stacks in place of the collector ring used on the British aircraft.
A total of 948 A-20Cs were built – 808 by Douglas and 140 by Boeing at Seattle, of which only 200 reached the RAF, where they were known as the Boston IIIA. The British aircraft were armed with 0.303in guns, while the American A-20Cs used 0.30in guns. Most of the aircraft retained by the USAAF were used in training units, preparing for the deployment of the A-20G, the main production version of the aircraft.
Engine: Wright R-2600-23 Double Cyclone
Power: 1,600hp at takeoff, 1,275hp at 11,500ft
Crew: 3
Width: 61ft 4in
Length: 47ft 3.625in
Empty Weight: 15,626lb
Gross Weight: 21,000lb
Maximum weight: 24,500lb
Maximum speed: 342mph at 13,000ft, 314mph at sea level
Cruising speed: 280mph
Ceiling: 25,320ft
Climb Rate: 6min 20sec to 10,000ft
Range: 745 miles with 1,000lb bomb load, 2,300 miles maximum ferry range
Guns: Four .30in in nose, two in dorsal and one in ventral position