The A-20 Havoc Story - An Unknown Warrior
Flight Journal|October 2019

A Unknown Warrior

Budd Davisson
The A-20 Havoc Story - An Unknown Warrior

When America went to war in December 1941, it was right in the middle of an interesting technological period. At the time, we had been upgrading our fighting forces, coming out of the biplane era, for at least five years. In fact, the B-17 project first flew in 1935 and was put into service in 1938. There was this first wave of more modern bombers/fighters that was already in existence, but the second wave, which was to include all the fighter aircraft (P-51, P-38, etc.) with which we would win the war, had already flown and was just heading into production. The only American fighter that first flew after Pearl Harbor and actually saw combat was the F6F Hellcat. Everything else was in the pipeline.

The net result of Pearl Harbor happening midstream of these changes is that the first year or two of the war saw extremely rapid changes take place as new aircraft took the place of prewar aircraft. There were some very good, useful airplanes in that prewar batch— the P-40 and FM-2 being examples—that labored through the war. There were others, however, that did their duty and seemed to have faded from history. The Douglas A-20 Havoc, which flew in every theater under every Allied flag, was one of those. Few remember it even existed, and it is all but unknown today.

Bu hikaye Flight Journal dergisinin October 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Flight Journal dergisinin October 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

FLIGHT JOURNAL DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Keeping 'em Flying!- The new generation of warbird pilots, restorers and mechanics
Flight Journal

Keeping 'em Flying!- The new generation of warbird pilots, restorers and mechanics

The new generation of warbird pilots, restorers and mechanics. Nearly 80 years after the end of World War II, the fighters, bombers, and trainers that defended freedom continue to enthrall and inspire audiences at airshows, thanks to generations of warbird pilots, maintainers, restoration specialists and collectors. In our September, 2022 issue we introduced you to the young warbird pilots, maintainers and restorers who are already beginning to displace more "experienced" warbird fliers and fixers.

time-read
10+ dak  |
July - August 2024
The Corsair Maker- Bringing the Vought Corsair to the fleet was a daunting challenge that spanned nearly three years.
Flight Journal

The Corsair Maker- Bringing the Vought Corsair to the fleet was a daunting challenge that spanned nearly three years.

When the first production Corsairs exited the Stratford factory in June 1942, Guyton, as seen here, was tapped to manage the flight and production test program. Armament was improved to six wing-mounted .50s, displacing the wing fuel tanks now placed forward of the cockpit which necessarily was moved rearward by 32 inches. Overall length was increased, armor plate added, landing, arresting and tail gear improved, aileron control enhanced, and a new version of the R2800 engine was incorporated. But those significant improvements unearthed numerous idiosyncrasies that would take an extended period to make the Corsair acceptable for carrier operations

time-read
3 dak  |
July - August 2024
STARFIRES Over Korea
Flight Journal

STARFIRES Over Korea

F-94 pilots tangle with MiGs

time-read
10 dak  |
July - August 2024
Training Mission
Flight Journal

Training Mission

BY THE TIME THIS TRAINING SCENE WAS RECORDED in Canne, Italy, in July 1944, Allied Yugoslavian airmen had several years of experience working side by side with the RAF.

time-read
2 dak  |
July - August 2024
KC-46A PEGASUS
Flight Journal

KC-46A PEGASUS

Next generation aerial refueler

time-read
10+ dak  |
July - August 2024
"SATAN'S ANGELS" ACE - Tales from a P-38 pilot in the South Pacific
Flight Journal

"SATAN'S ANGELS" ACE - Tales from a P-38 pilot in the South Pacific

\"AS A KID GROWING UP on the bow of my father's tugboat, hauling oil from Seattle to Alaska, I had a lot of time on my hands.

time-read
10+ dak  |
July - August 2024
WACO YKC - Stunning and Ultra Rare Golden Age Cabin Flier
Flight Journal

WACO YKC - Stunning and Ultra Rare Golden Age Cabin Flier

BETWEEN THE IMPLEMENTATION of the Air Commerce Act of 1926 and December 31, 1948, all U.S. registered flying machines sported an N-number, much as they do today, the \"N\" being an internationally recognized identifier for the United States. During that period, however, an additional letter-identifier followed the \"N.\" Depending on their category, they were registered in the NC (Commercial), NG (Glider), NL (Limited), NR (Restricted, usually meaning race airplanes), NS (State government), and, finally, NX (experimental).

time-read
2 dak  |
July - August 2024
BADER'S HURRICANES
Flight Journal

BADER'S HURRICANES

Double amputee fighter ace Douglas Bader and his Battle of Britain Hurricanes

time-read
10+ dak  |
July - August 2024
Scourge of the Allied Fighters
Flight Journal

Scourge of the Allied Fighters

IT HAD TO BE THE MOST HELPLESS FEELING in the world: you're at 25,000 feet over Europe knowing that your primary function is to drop bombs-or flying escort for the bombers while being a slow-moving target for some of the world's finest shooters. However, you have John Browning's marvelous .50 caliber invention to give some degree of protection. Unfortunately, you're absolutely helpless against flak. Piloting and gunnery skills play no role in a game where sheer chance makes life and death decisions. For that reason, the Krupp 88 mm Flak 18/36/37 AA cannon could be considered WW II's ultimate stealth fighter. You never saw it coming.

time-read
3 dak  |
November - December 2023
ZERO MYTH, MYSTERY, AND FACT
Flight Journal

ZERO MYTH, MYSTERY, AND FACT

A test pilot compares the A6M5 Zero to U.S. fighters

time-read
10+ dak  |
November - December 2023