Douglas DB-7/A20 Boston

History

Text about the development.

Versions.

Text about versions.

In service with RNlNAS and NEIAF

In service with RNLNAS.

Late 1941, 48 Douglas DB-7B Boston torpedo bombers were ordered. Due to the rapid Japanese advance they could not be delivered on time.

Given the urgency the U.S. government decided to assign a number of 32 Douglas DB-7B Boston IIIs attack bombers from a running production order for the RAF to the Dutch navy.
Six aircraft were shipped and arrived on February 27, 1942 in the port of Tjilatjap.
The aircraft were unloaded on the quay and there was started with the assembly. Early March was the first plane ready, a second one was in an advanced stage, when the first bombing of Tjalatjap occurred.
Both aircraft escaped from the bombing and on March 5 one aircraft succeeded to start and to fly to Tasikmala. After another raid, the situation had become untenable and the Dutch had to retreat. At least one DB-7B fell in Japanese hands.

The other aircraft were still on their way and were directed to Australia and handed over to the RAAF.

In service with NEIAF.

In April 1942 the 18th Squadron NEIAF was established.
it was equipped with the already arrived North American B-25C Mitchells N5-132, N5-134, N5-135, N5-151 and N5-161. (see the article North American B-25 Mitchell of the NEIAF.). Due to lack of parts, tools, etc., the combat readiness of the squadron was very low. The USAAC was eager to take over the five Mitchells and suggested to exchange them with Douglas A-20 Bostons. The NEIAF considered this type less suited for the task of no 18 squadron NEI because of their shorter range and bomb load, so the NEIAF did not agree with this proposal

Nevertheless rather unexpected the first of a total of about fourteen Douglas A-20As arrived on 7 June 1942. On June 12, 1942 arrived the next three A-20As and the rest shortly thereafter.
On June 16, the first aircraft, registrations 40-077, 40-101 and 10-082 were already flown back to Brisbane. On June 18 a fourth A-20A with registration 40-155, was returned to 22 Squadron, RAAF at Richmond. On June 23, the remaining ten aircraft were handed over to 22 Squadron RAAF.

The Douglas A-20A Boston has been in use for about two weeks by no 18 Squadron NEIAF. There were a few flights made by the Dutch crews, such as Lt. Hagers.

 Further information about these aircraft is very welcome!

Serial overview RNlNAS and NEIAF.

1/72nd Scale

Kits

• High Planes Models
  • Kit 72056: Model of a Douglas A20A Havoc & Boston MKIII
• MPM
  • Kit 72557: Model  of a Douglas A20B Havoc MTO
  • Kit 72559: Boston Mk.III RAF And SAAF Service
  • Kit 72575: DB-7C Captured Boston

Modelling add-on

• Armory
  • Set AW72301: Douglas A20A Boston Wheel set (early)
  • Set AW72302: Douglas A20C Boston Wheel set (Mid)
• Eduard
  • Set 72-500: Douglas A-20B exterior (designed to be used with MPM kits)
  • Set 73-367 /SS 367: Douglas A-20B (self adhesive) (designed to be used with Special Hobby kits)
  • Set CX-266: Paint Mask Douglas A-20B Havoc (designed to be used with Italeri and MPM kits)
  • Set E72-500: Detailset Douglas A20B Exterior (MPM)
  • Set big7246: Detailset Douglas A20G Havoc (MPM)
  • Set E73-308: Detailset Douglas A20G Havoc Interior self adhesive (MPM)
  • Set E72-480: Detailset Douglas A20G Havoc Interior (MPM)
• MPM
  • Set 72003: Detail set Douglas A-20B Havoc (designed to be used with MPM kits) )

Decals

• FlevoDecals
  • Set FD72-023: Royal Netherlands Navy over the Dutch East Indies 1939-1942: Do24; PBY5; Ryan STM and Douglas DB7

1/48th Scale

Kits

• AMD/ERTL
  • Kit 8694: Douglas A-20B/C Havoc
• Italeri
  • Kit 2656: Douglas A-20B / Boston III (same as AMD kit)
  • Kit 2724: Douglas P-70 A/S (same as AMD kit with extra parts)
• Revell
  • Kit A4598: Douglas A-20 G/J Havoc (als AMD kit with extra parts)

Modelling add-on

• Airwaves
  • Set C48076: Detailset Douglas A20/DB7
• Armory
  • Set AW48307: Douglas A20C Boston Wheel set (Mid) (AMT/Italeri)
  • Set AW48306: Douglas A20A Boston Wheel set (early) (AMT/Italeri)
• Cutting Edge
  • Set BM48006: Douglas A20 Boston/Havoc Wheel Hub Masks (TD48059)
• Eduard
  • Set E48-127: Detailset Douglas A20G (Exterior)
  • Set E48-151: Detailset Douglas A20B/C Havoc
  • Set E48-126: Detailset Douglas A20G (Interior)
• Model Design Constru
  • Set CV001: Douglas A20B Boston Turbinlite
  • Set CV002: Douglas A20B Boston with Boulton Paul 12 gun nose
  • Set CV003: Douglas A20B Boston Night Intruder
  • Set CV004: Douglas A20B Boston Bulged Tyres
• Red Roo
  • Set M48129: Douglas DB7 & A20 Tropical cowlings (also Dutch Navy)
  • Set M48128: Douglas DB7 & A20 Hedgehog exhausts
• Scale Aircraft Conversions
  • Set 48030: Douglas A20 Havoc/Boston Landing Gear (AMT,Italeri,Revell)
• Squadron
  • Set SQ09550: Canopies Douglas A20G Havoc Canopy & Turret
• True Details
  • Set 48059: Douglas A20 Boston/Havoc Wheel & Raft set
• Vector resin
  • Set DS48062: Douglas A20 moving Surfaces

Decals

• FlevoDecals
  • Set FD48-016: Royal Netherlands Navy over the Dutch East Indies 1939-1942: Do24; PBY5; Ryan STM en Douglas DB7

The Douglas A-20As of the 18th Squadron NEI were directly from the USAAC and had the USAAC standard paint scheme for that period.
It is not certain whether the aircraft were equipped with Dutch markings (given the very short period this is unlikely).

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

Literature.

Websites.

• Answers.com: Douglas DB-7
• National Museum
• Site Frans Bonne
• Joe Baugher's site
• Forum with a discussion about RAAF Bostons

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