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Douglas A-20J Havoc
Hey everybody. I’d like to suggest the A-20J Havoc for the US aviation tree. I believe the A-20 series is currently underrepresented in War Thunder, so I’ve planned to suggest this A-20J and the other variants to help complete the family of this iconic light attack bomber.
The A-20J was a glass-nosed bomber and lead-ship variant that carried an additional bombardier in an extended nose section. It was designed to lead bombing formations, with solid-nosed A-20s releasing their bombs on signal from the lead aircraft.
History
As the A-20G entered frontline service, its heavy forward-firing armament made it highly effective for strafing. However, it retained an internal bomb bay, and the absence of a bombardier’s position with proper equipment limited its effectiveness at medium to high altitudes, particularly in the European Theater. To address this, the US Army requested a glass-nosed variant that could serve as a lead ship, equipped with a bombardier’s station to locate and designate targets for formations of solid-nosed A-20s. These aircraft would then release their ordnance upon signal from the lead ship.
In response, Douglas developed the A-20J, based on the late-production A-20G but incorporating a new glass nose housing a Norden bombsight. The nose was molded from a single piece of frameless Plexiglas, extending the aircraft’s length by seven inches and introducing a fourth crew member, the bombardier. Armament was reduced to two side-mounted forward-firing machine guns, as the aircraft’s primary role shifted from strafing to precision bombing.
Approximately one in every ten A-20Gs produced was completed as an A-20J, totaling 450 aircraft. Nearly half were supplied to the Royal Air Force and the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease. Although the A-20J was slightly slower than its solid-nosed counterpart, it was invaluable as a pathfinder. When American A-20 units in Europe transitioned to the new A-26 Invader, the A-20J continued in the lead-ship role until glass-nosed A-26Cs became available to assume the task.
A-20Js saw combat and served as a lead ship in Europe and the Pacific. These aircraft were produced in five production blocks: A-20J-1-DO, -5-DO, -10-DO, -15-DO, and -20-DO, though each block and its differences were generally minor.
Specifications
Douglas A-20J Havoc
Total Produced: 450
General Characteristics
Crew: 4 (Pilot, bombardier, and gunners)
Dimensions:
Length: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
Height: 18 ft 1 in (5.51 m)
Wingspan: 61 ft 4 in (18.69 m)
Wing Area: 465 sq ft (43.2 sq m)
Propeller:
Type: 2 x 3-bladed, constant-speed Hamilton Standard Hydromatic
Diameter: 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m)
Powerplant:
Type: 2 x Wright R-2600-29 Double Cyclone air-cooled radials
Supercharger: 2-speed mechanical
Power Output:
1,600 hp (1,193 kW) each @ takeoff (3,200 hp/2,386 kW total)
1,675 hp (1,249 kW) each @ combat emergency (3,350 hp/2,498 kW total)
1,400 hp (1,044 kW) each @ 10,000 ft (3,048 m) (2,800 hp/2,088 kW total)
Fuel Capacity: 540 US gal (2,044 L) [self-sealing]
Weight:
Empty: 17,117 lb (7,764 kg)
Gross: (10,772 kg)
Max. Takeoff: (12,247 kg)
Flight Performance
Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.13 hp/lb (0.22 kW/kg)
Speed:
Cruise: 257 mph (414 km/h)
Max @ Altitude: 317 mph (510 km/h) @ 10,700 ft (3,261 m)
Landing: 95 mph (153 km/h)
Wing Loading: 51.07 lb/sq ft (249.3 kg/sq m)
Time to Altitude: 8 min 48 sec to 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
Service Ceiling: 23,100 ft
Service Ceiling: 23,100 ft (7,041 m)
Range: 1,000 mi (1,609 km) with 2,000 lb bombload
Armament
Guns:
2 x 0.50-in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns in nose (350 rpg; 700 total)
Turrets:
2 x 0.50-in (12.7 mm) MGs in the dorsal power turret (400 rpg; 800 total)
1 x flexible 0.50-in (12.7 mm) MG in the ventral tunnel (400 rds)
Bombs (Max 4,000-lb Load):
Internal:
4 x 500-lb
4 x 250-lb
4 x 100-lb
External:
4 x 500-lb
4 x 250-lb
4 x 100-lb
Rockets:
Related Suggestions
Havoc Family
Nighthawk Family
Sources
EE-393 Wartime Tactical Planning Characteristics & Performance Charts (1 July 1945)
A-20 Havoc in Action, Aircraft Number 144 (1994)
Douglas A-20 Boston-Havoc, Warpaint No.32 (1999)
Douglas Havoc and Boston: The DB-7/A-20 Series (2004)
A-20 Havoc in Action, David Doyle (2015)
Douglas A-20 Havoc - Wikipedia Douglas A-20 Havoc Douglas A-20J Havoc
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
+1 don’t see why not, the more the merrier and all that
