World War II · Aircraft
Douglas A-20 Havoc
The Douglas A-20 Havoc (known to the British as the Boston) was a twin-engine attack bomber and night fighter widely used by the Allies during World War II. Built by Douglas Aircraft, it first flew in 1939 and entered combat with the RAF before the United States joined the war. A-20 crews flew low-level strafing and bombing missions, and the type became the first US aircraft to fly an offensive sortie over Europe in 1942. Fast, rugged, and easy to handle, it served in every theater of the war, equipping American, British, Soviet, and other Allied air forces in the ground-attack, light-bombing, and reconnaissance roles.
About 7,478 were produced before production ended in 1944, making it one of the most-built attack aircraft of the conflict.
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Douglas
- Type
- Twin-engine attack bomber
- Crew
- 3
- First Flight
- 1939
- Powerplant
- 2 × Wright R-2600 Double Cyclone radials, 1,600 hp each
- Max Speed
- 339 mph
- Range
- 1,025 mi
- Service Ceiling
- 23,700 ft
- Length
- 47 ft 12 in
- Wingspan
- 61 ft 4 in
- Loaded Weight
- 27,200 lb (max takeoff)
- Armament
- Up to 9 × .50 in machine guns; 2,000 lb of bombs