Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>A-20>HA4201

General Background

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 Aircraft

The 668th BS (Light) was formed on January 25, 1943 and was assigned to the 416th BG from February 5, 1943 – October 11, 1945. In January 1944 the 416th BG moved to England as part of the US 9th AF and entered combat in March 1944 attacking V1 sites in France. In June 1944 strikes in aid of the Normandy invasion began and continued throughout WWII. The first 9th AF A-20G to complete 100 missions over occupied France was A-20G 43-9224 5H-E "La France Libre".

Specifications :

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
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
Service Ceiling:	G – 25,800 ft / J – 23,100 ft
Range:
With 2,000 lbs of bombs @ 238 mph:	G – 1,025 miles / J – 1,000 miles
Maximum Ferry Range:	G – 2,035 miles / J – 2,100 miles
Weights:
Empty:	G – 17,200 lbs / J – 17,117 lbs
Normal Combat Take-off:	G – 24,000 lbs / J – 23,748 lbs
Maximum Combat:	G and J / 27,200 lbs
Maximum:	G – 30,000 lbs / J – 27,000 lbs
Dimensions G and J:
Length:	48 ft
Wingspan:	61 ft 4 in
Height:	17 ft 7 in
Armament G:	6 X forward-firing 0.50 Colt-Browning machine guns in the nose, 350 rpg 2 X .050 inch machine guns in the dorsal power turret, 400 rpg 1 X 0.50 inch machine gun in ventral tunnel position, 400 rpg Models prior to A-20G-20-DO – 2 0.50 inch machine guns on a flexible dorsal mount Maximum internal bomb-load – 2,000 lbs in split bomb bay On later models – an additional 2,000 lbs on four under-wing hard-points
Armament J:	2 X forward-firing 0.50-inch machine guns in lower fuselage 2 X .050 inch machine guns in the dorsal power turret, 400 rpg 1 X 0.50 inch machine gun in ventral tunnel position, 400 rpg Maximum internal bomb-load – 2,000 lbs in split bomb bay On later models – an additional 2,000 lbs on four under-wing hard-points