Douglas Boston III
Douglas · United States · first flew 1941 · bomber
The Douglas Boston III was the RAF designation for the A-20C/DB-7C light bomber variant, used extensively by the RAF and Commonwealth air forces for daylight low-level and medium-level bombing operations from 1941. It was powered by two Wright R-2600 Cyclone engines and carried a crew of three.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.48 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine light day bomber with glazed nose
- Twin oval fins, mid-wing layout
- Two Wright Cyclone radials in prominent nacelles
Elegant twin-engine mid-wing bomber with twin oval fins, Plexiglas bombardier nose, smooth round nacelles, and a slim fuselage — very similar to the Havoc but distinguished by the glazed bomber nose.
Specifications
- The Douglas Boston III has a length of 14.48 m (48 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18.69 m (61 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 510 km/h (317 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Boston III entered RAF service in 1941 and equipped several squadrons of No. 2 Group, Bomber Command, conducting daring low-level daylight raids over occupied Europe. It also served with the South African Air Force in the Western Desert and Mediterranean campaigns, and with Soviet forces supplied under Lend-Lease.
Variants
The RAF Boston family included the Mk I (trainer conversion), Mk II (night fighter/intruder Havoc), Mk III (day bomber, equivalent to A-20C), and Mk IV/V (A-20J/K with glazed navigator nose). The USAAF used parallel A-20 variants.
Where you'll see it
Served with the RAF, SAAF, RAAF, and Soviet Air Force during World War II in bomber and intruder roles across multiple theatres; retired at the war's end.
Related aircraft
- C-47 Skytrain
- Douglas A-20B Havoc
- Douglas C-47A Dakota
- Douglas Havoc Mk II
- Avro Lancaster
- Avro Lancaster B.I
- Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress
- Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Woomera
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