Douglas D8-7-B3 (A20) "Havoc"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for January, 1940 and December, 1943
by Jo Kotula
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The Douglas A-20/DB-7 "Havoc" (British "Boston") was an American attack, light bomber and night fighter aircraft of World War II.

  

Douglas D8-7-B3 (A20) "Havoc"
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In March 1937, a design team headed by Donald Douglas, Jack Northrop and Ed Heinemann entered a light twin engine bomber (Model 7b) into an army competition with the North American NA-40, the Stearman X-100 and the Martin 167F. The Model 7B was maneuverable and fast, but did not attract any US orders. It did, however, attract the attention of a French Purchasing Commission who wereimpressed enough to order 100 production aircraft, with the order increased to 270 when the war began. The Douglas DB-7 series distinguished itself as a tough, dependable combat aircraft with an excellent reputation due to its speed and maneuvrability. Its true impact was that the Douglas bomber/night fighter was extremely adaptable and found a role in every combat theater of the war and excelled as a true "pilot's aeroplane." When DB-7 series production finally ended on 20 September 1944, a total of 7,098 had been built by Douglas and a further 380 by Boeing.

Here is a video of the Douglas D8-7-B3 (A20) "Havoc":

In addition to the cover of Model Airplane News, this airplane was also featured in the WINGS "Friend or Foe" trading card series of the early 1950s

Trading card representation of the Douglas D8-7-B3 (A20) "Havoc"
Click Here to see all 200 cards in the series
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Click Here for more information about the Douglas D8-7-B3 (A20) "Havoc".

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