Bombardier Douglas B.50 Vitry en Artois, "Lorraine" Sqn, Free French Air Force

Product description

With war approaching America knew it would be called upon to aid their Allies so a new aircraft would need to be developed. Douglas Aircraft designer Ed Heinemann’s DB-7/A-20 was chosen to be the new attack-bomber. The prototype flew in December 1938 with the first production aircraft flew on August 17, 1939. Production ran until September 1944 with 7,478 aircraft built.
During WWII these were supplied to French, British, Australian, Dutch and Soviet forces as well as their own U.S. forces.

The Douglas A-20J 43-21440 was built with an extended Plexiglas nose that housed a bombardier and was sent to the RAF. From there the aircraft was assigned to the 342 “Lorraine” Squadron, Free French Air Force who began operations on June 12, 1943. They carried out daylight raids over Northern France and then targeted V-1 sites. In August 1944 the 342 Squadron received the newer Boston Mk.IV just before moving B.50 Vitry-en-Artois in October. They operated the MK.IV until April 1945 when they converted to B-25 Mitchell’s.

Douglas DB-7 Boston / A-20 Havoc

Role – Light Bomber

Variants – A,B,C,G,H,J,K

First Flight – October 26 , 1938

Entered Service – 1939

Manufacturing Period – 1939 - 1944

Number Built All Variants – 7,098

Douglas A-20G and J specifications

Crew - 3

Powerplants
G and J - 2 X Wright R-2600-23 Double Cyclone 14 cylinder twin-row air-cooled w/two-speed
superchargers rated @ 1,600 hp for take-off, 1,400 hp @ 10,000 ft

Performance
Speed
G and J - Maximum – 339 mph @ 12,400 ft, 317 mph @ 10,000 ft
Cruise
G – 230 – 272 mph
J - 257 mph

Initial Climb Rate – G and J / 1,300 fpm
Time to 10,000 feet
G – 7.1 minutes
J – 8.8 minutes