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Douglas A-20 Havoc (Boston, DB-7. P-70) was an American attack, medium bomber, intruder and night fighter aircraft of World War II.
USAAC in autumn 1937 published the specification for a new bomber. The design team from company Douglas decided to modify the earlier draft Model 7A through replacement of engines for stronger Pratt & Whitney R-1830 S3C3-G with a capacity of 1100 hp, changing the designation of the project on the Model 7B. Two alternative were proposed to use part of the bow, one transparent to the bombardier and the other covered , equipped with a battery of six machine 7.7 mm guns and two 12.7 mm caliber. For the transparent part of the bow you could mount two gondolas on both sides of the hull, including two machine guns. The other armament were supposed to be machine guns mounted in a 7.7 mm turret or fire through the open bomb bay doors. Capacity bomb was increased to 900 kg. Competitors for Douglas construction were planes North American NA-40, Stearman Model X-100 and Martin 167F. Although the Model 7B was sufficiently fast and agile, he did not arouse interest in the US Army, but he scored for recognition of the French Commission for the purchasing, visiting the United States. The French side participated in testing Douglas machines and eventually ordered 100 machines, increasing the order to 270 at the start of the war. USAAC finally ordered the first copies of the A-20 in mid-1939 years. Another user DB-7 was a British RAF, which because of the situation in France has decided to take the French order for planes (designation Boston Mk I and Mk II, depending on the engine). Later, Brits have already received orders from their own machines (versions Boston Mk III, IV, V). The largest user of the A-20 was the Soviet Union and for their needs were produced more than half of these machines. It was expected to provide 3125 machines of all types in the framework of the Lend-Lease, but ultimately went to the Soviet Union 2901 aircraft. The main route of delivery was overflown by Iran or Alaska because of too much risk to attack convoys by German submarines. These machines are called the Soviet Union the A-20 Boston. Russians often modified the structure of the A-20 to their needs: replaced the rear turret, added torpedoes, changed the structure of the nose and adjusted planes to harsh winter conditions.
A-20 designed as a light bomber has successfully served as gunship aircraft, torpedo and reconnaissance, and even a night fighter. It was easy to use and piloting and easy to build.
Total production: 7478.
Bibliography:

• Scott Thompson – Douglas Havoc and Boston: The DB-7/A-20 Series, Crowood Aviation Series 2004
• William N. Hess – A-20 Boston at War
• Roger A. Freeman – Douglas A-20 Havoc U.S.A.A.F., 1940-1945, Camouflage & Markings Number 20
• Jim Mesko – A-20 Havoc in action, Squadron/Signal Publications Aircraft Number 144
• Pilots Manual Douglas A-20 Boston & Havoc, 1940
• Harry Gann – The Douglas A-20 (7A to Boston III), Aircraft Profile Number 202
• Richard J. Caruana – Douglas A-20 Boston / Havoc, Warpaint Series No. 32
• R. Johnson – American Attack Aircraft Since 1926, Mcfarland
• William Wolf -The Douglas A-20 Havoc, The Ultimate Look:From Drawing Board to Peerless Allied Light Bomber
• David Doyle – A-20 Havoc In Action
• United States Army Air Force – Douglas A-20 Havoc Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions
• Andrew Thomas, Chris Davey -Defiant, Blenheim and Havoc Aces, Osprey Aircraft of the Aces
• Robert A Watkins – Battle Colors, Volume III: Insignia and Tactical Markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War Two
• Dana Bell, Don Greer – Air Force Colors, Volume 2: ETO & MTO 1942-1945 – Squadron Signal Aircraft Specials series 6151
• Dana Bell, Don Greer – Air Force Colors Volume 3: Pacific & Home Front 1942-1947, Squadron Signal 6152
• Robert Watkins – Battle Colors Volume V: Pacific Theater of Operations: Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II