History

Text about the development.

Versions.

Text about versions.

 

Technical information Douglas A-20A (18 sq NEIAF)
Dimensions:
Length: 14,48 m Wingspan: 18,69 m
Height: 5,36 m Wing area: 43,11 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: - kg Max. start weight: - kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 515 km/hr Rate of climb: 610 m/min
Cruising speed: 439 km/hr    
Range: 845 km Service ceiling: 7468 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: Two Wright Cyclone R-2600-11 rated 1600 each.
Crew: -
Armament: Seven 7.7 mm machine guns (four fixed forward firing machine guns; two movable in dorsal turret; one in ventral turret; Maximum of 907 kg bombs.

 

Technical information Douglas DB-7B Boston III (RNlNAS = MLD)
Dimensions:
Length: 14,48 m Wingspan: 18,68 m
Height: 5,36 m Wing area: 43,11 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: - kg Max. start weight: 9217 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 515 km/hr Rate of climb: 610 m/min
Cruising speed: 451 km/hr    
Range: 844 km Service ceiling: 7468 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: Two Wright Cyclone R-2600 A5B rated 1600 each.
Crew: -
Armament: -

 

Technical information Douglas DB-7C (A-20C)-2-DO Boston III (RNlNAS = MLD)
Dimensions:
Length: 14,42 m Wingspan: 18,68 m
Height: 5,36 m Wing area: 43,11 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 6945 kg Max. start weight: 9752 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 552 km/hr Rate of climb: - m/min
Cruising speed: 439 km/hr    
Range: 3701 km Service ceiling: 7468 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: Two Wright Cyclone R-1820-84B rated 1525 hp each.
Crew: -
Armament: -

 


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.

Serial overview RNlNAS (=MLD)
SerialRAF-serialConstruction nr.Date in serviceDate out of serviceNotes
D-66 AL891       Delivered 04-1942 in Australia. To RAAF, 22 Squadron, A28-9/DU-K.
D-70 AL895       Delivered 29-03-1942 in Australia. To RAAF, 22 Squadron, A28-5/DU-F.
. . . . .  

 

Serial overview NEIAF
SerialUS-Fisc. Year-nr.Construction-nr.Date in serviceDate out of serviceNotes
- 40-077/45    - 15-06-1942 On 15-06-1942 returned to 5th AIr Force, 89th BS(Lt), 3rd BG(lt) "Baby Dumpling".
To RAAF 15 ARD on 05-11-1943. RAAF-serial A28-36. To 22 Squadron on 09-02-1944.
To 10 RSU 07-06-1944 for engine-exchange. On 02-08-1944 returned to 15 ARD. 18-04-1945 dismantled for spare parts.
See also Pacific Wrecks
 - 40-082/15    - 16-06-1942 See also Pacific Wrecks
 - 40-101/22 "Old Man Mose"    - 16-06-1942 See also Pacific Wrecks
 - 40-155    - 18-06-1942 See also Pacific Wrecks
 -          

 


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).

SchemeColour nameFS numberBS-numberHumbrolXtraColorVallejo Model ColorVallejo Model AirHataka
Douglas DB-7B Boston III: RAF Temperate Land Scheme: Dark Green & Dark Earth in a camouflage pattern for aircraft with a wing span smaller than 75 feet; Sky on lower surfaces.
RAF StandardUpper surfaces Dark Earth   BS:450 29 X002 70.921 71.323 ~206
Dark Green   BS:641 163 X001 70.892 71.324 ~016
Lower surfaces Sky   BS:210 90 X007   71.302 ~026
 Douglas A-20 (delivered to 18 squadron NEI RAAF)
Standard #1 USAAC-schemeUppersides US Olive Drab 41 ~4088   66 X111/X112/X113 70.887 71.016 ~004
US Dark Green 42 (spots) ~4092   149 X114 70.895 71.124 ~019
Undersides US Neutral Grey 43 ~6173   Mix: 1*156 + 1*34 (176) X133/X207 70.992 71.051 ~033

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


Literature.

Cockpit nummer 5, 1972 jaargang 13, oktober 1972: MLD-special: Geheimzinnige Bostons Hugo Hooftman Pag.: 181 1972 COCKPIT-uitgeverij, Bennekom
AVIA; 33e jaargang nummer 5: De Bostons van de Marine. Nico Geldhof Pag. 128 - 130 1974 Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam
Zestig jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld Hugo Hooftman Pag. 65 1977 Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
Aircraft Number 56 A-20 Havoc in action. Jim Mesko Pag. 17 - 19 1983 Uitgever: Squadron/Signal Publications Inc., Carrolton, Texas<
Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (derde herzien druk Willem Helfferich Pag. 85 1994 Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam
Camouflage en Kentekens J.Greuter e.a. 1997 Bonneville – Bergen (NH)

Websites.

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