Douglas Havoc Mk II
Douglas · United States · first flew 1941 · bomber
The Havoc Mk II was a British designation for a variant of the Douglas DB-7/A-20 used by the RAF primarily in the intruder and night-fighter roles, with a solid gun-packed nose replacing the glazed bombardier position used in bomber versions. It carried additional nose armament for attacking enemy airfields and communications at night.
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 intruder/night fighter version of the DB-7
- Solid nose packed with guns in RAF service
- Twin fins and low mid-wing configuration
Twin-engine mid-wing monoplane with twin oval fins, solid or lightly glazed nose (depending on variant), and two Wright Cyclone radials in smooth nacelles; distinguished from the Boston by the solid nose.
Specifications
- The Douglas Havoc Mk II 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 RAF received DB-7 aircraft under Lend-Lease and from French contracts taken over after the fall of France in 1940, operating them as the Havoc in night-fighter and intruder configurations. The Mk II represented a development with improved armament and equipment over the earlier Mk I.
Variants
RAF Havoc variants included the Mk I (night fighter) and Mk II (intruder); the parallel Boston series used the same airframe in the day bomber role. The USAAF designation was A-20 Havoc.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the RAF's No. 23 Squadron and other units in the intruder role over occupied Europe from 1941 to 1943, before being replaced by de Havilland Mosquitos.
Related aircraft
- C-47 Skytrain
- Douglas A-20B Havoc
- Douglas Boston III
- Douglas C-47A Dakota
- Avro Lancaster
- Avro Lancaster B.I
- Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress
- Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Woomera
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