A-20

A-20
Name	A-20
Type	Light bomber / Attack aircraft
Manufacturer	Douglas Aircraft Company
Designer	Ed Heinemann
First flight	23 January 1939
Introduction	1941
Retired	1950s
Primary users	United States Army Air Forces, Soviet Air Forces, Royal Air Force
Number built	7,478
Developed from	Douglas DB-7
Variants with their own articles	Douglas A-26 Invader

A-20. The Douglas A-20 Havoc was an American attack aircraft, light bomber, and night fighter of World War II. Designed by a team led by Ed Heinemann at the Douglas Aircraft Company, it served with great success in multiple theaters of the conflict, proving to be a fast, rugged, and versatile combat aircraft. It was operated extensively by the United States Army Air Forces and was also supplied in large numbers to the Soviet Air Forces through Lend-Lease, where it became one of the most numerous foreign types in Soviet service.

Development and design

The aircraft's origins trace back to a 1936 United States Army Air Corps specification for an attack bomber, with the design evolving from the earlier Douglas DB-7. The prototype, designated the Douglas 7B, first flew in 1938, featuring a distinctive tricycle landing gear and a narrow fuselage. Key design figures included Ed Heinemann and Jack Northrop, with the latter's company contributing to early concepts. Initial production orders came not from the U.S. but from France, seeking to modernize its Armée de l'Air before the outbreak of World War II. The design was continually refined, leading to variants with different armament configurations, including solid noses housing heavy machine guns or cannon for strafing and glazed noses for bombing missions.

Operational history

The A-20 entered combat with the French Air Force in 1940, though many delivered aircraft arrived too late to see action before the Fall of France. Subsequently, the Royal Air Force adopted the type, naming it the "Boston" for light bomber roles and "Havoc" as a night fighter and intruder aircraft over Europe. In the Pacific Theater of Operations, USAAF A-20s saw extensive action, notably with the Fifth Air Force in the New Guinea campaign and the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. The Soviet Air Forces received nearly 3,000 A-20s via the Arctic convoys and the Persian Corridor, employing them effectively for low-level attacks on the Eastern Front against Wehrmacht forces. It also served with the Royal Australian Air Force in the South West Pacific theatre.

Variants

Numerous variants were produced, differing primarily in armament and role. The A-20A and A-20B were early U.S. models with glazed noses, while the A-20C introduced improvements for commonality with Royal Air Force Bostons. The definitive attack version was the A-20G, featuring a solid nose packed with guns. The A-20H had more powerful Wright R-2600 engines. The Royal Air Force operated the Boston III (A-20C) and Boston IV (A-20J), the latter being a bomber-version with a navigator's position. Specialized versions included the P-70 night fighter, equipped with AI radar, and the F-3 photo-reconnaissance aircraft. The United States Navy also used a small number as the BD-1 and BD-2 for utility duties.

Operators

The primary operator was the United States Army Air Forces, which deployed the aircraft worldwide. The Soviet Air Forces were the largest foreign user, valuing its performance on the Eastern Front. The Royal Air Force used it in the European and Mediterranean theatres. Other Allied operators included the Free French Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, and the South African Air Force. After the war, it saw service with the air forces of Brazil, France, and the Netherlands, among others.

Specifications (A-20G)

* **Crew:** 3 (pilot, gunner, bombardier) * **Length:** 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m) * **Wingspan:** 61 ft 4 in (18.69 m) * **Height:** 17 ft 7 in (5.36 m) * **Empty weight:** 15,984 lb (7,250 kg) * **Powerplant:** 2 × Wright R-2600 Double Row radial engines * **Maximum speed:** 317 mph (510 km/h) * **Range:** 1,025 mi (1,650 km) * **Service ceiling:** 25,000 ft (7,600 m) * **Armament:** Up to six forward-firing .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns in nose, two in dorsal turret, one flexible ventral gun; up to 2,000 lb (910 kg) of bombs internally.

In popular culture

The A-20 has appeared in several films depicting World War II, such as the 1962 war film The War Lover, where it was central to the plot. It is also featured in various flight simulator video games, including the IL-2 Sturmovik series, allowing players to simulate its combat missions. The aircraft is a frequent subject for aviation art and is preserved in static displays at museums like the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Imperial War Museum Duxford.

Category:Military aircraft of the United States Category:World War II attack aircraft of the United States