Special Hobby Aircraft 1/72 Boston Mk IIIA Bomber over D-Day Beaches Kit

In 1937 the USAAC HQ found out that performance of single engine machines of the Attack category is not sufficient. Therefore a competition was issued calling for new twin-engined aircraft of this category. The Douglas Co. won this competition with its Model 7B design. The original design was subsequently modified, partly according to French requirements, too. France and other European countries had ordered these machines under designation DB7A. All these machines were powered by R-1830 engines. When France had capitulated the remaining orders were taken over by the RAF that designated these machines as Boston Mk.I. Both RAF and USAAF had demanded better performance so Douglas designed Model DB-7B powered by R-2600 engines with better output. First off USAAF received a small batch of A-20A Havocs powered by engines with superchargers and then bigger series of A-20B and A-20C. These versions differed from each other mainly by the nose glazing shape. The A-20B had a step like glazing but the A-20C featured diagonal edge of the glazing. Both versions were also ordered by the RAF that designated them as Boston Mk.III and Mk.IIIA respectively. Moreover, these machines were used by the SAAF and RAAF (ex-dutch machines for the Dutch East India AF) and Brazil. As a part of the Lend-Lease treaty, also the Soviet Union received these machines. Based on these versions the night fighter version, the US P-70 and British Havoc NF Mk.II were built. Several British machines were modified into Havoc Turbinlite equipped with a searchlight in the nose for night fighter missions but without success. The A-20B/C proved efficient as a light bomber and attack plane. The USAAF deployed them mainly to Africa and Italy, the RAF started with Bostons the so-called Non-Stop offensive; they were used as day bombers and for night Intruder missions against enemy airbases and other targets. Several machines were also deployed to Africa and Italy. Australian RAAF modified its Bostons by the addition of fixed machine guns into the nose and used successfully them as ground attack planes. Further development brought versions A-20G/H/J/K equipped with a dorsal turret in place of the original dorsal gunner’s position. These versions served until the end ofWorld War II. Wingspan: 18.69 m, length: 14.27 m, Max. Speed: 560 kmh, Range: 1,740 km, Service Ceiling: 8,800 m., Bomb load: 940 Kg; Both USAF and RAF versions differed by defensive armament.