Douglas Boston P-70

Douglas Boston P-70

RAF Boston Mk III in flight
History
Type	Twin engine bomber
Role	Medium bomber, night fighter
Manufacturer	Douglas Aircraft Company
Produced	1939-44
Number built	7,478
Primary users	USAF, Soviet Airforce, RAF, RAAF
In service	23 Jan 1939
Out of service	1949

Remarks

In October 1941 the Netherlands government in exile ordered 48 DB-7C planes for use in the Dutch East Indies. Delivery had been scheduled for May 1942 but because of the desperate situation US government agreed to divert 32 DB-7B Boston III aircraft to the Dutch East Indies in advance. The first six were delivered by ship in February 1942. Only one aircraft was assembled in time to take part in the action

The next 22 arcraft to be delivered to the East Indies were diverted to the Royal Australian Air Force. They served with No. 22 Squadron RAAF and fought in the East Indies from September 1942. RAAF Bostons took part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea and in attacks on a large Japanese convoy headed toward Lae.

Some planes arrived from the US from September 1943. By November 1944, No. 22 Squadron was going to be assigned to the Philippines. Thirteen Bostons were destroyed on the ground during a Japanese raid on Morotai. The squadron was withdrawn to Noemfoor, where it was re-equipped with Bristol Beaufighters before it returned to action. Surviving Bostons were then relegated to transport, mail delivery and communications.

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 48 ft (14.63m)
• Wingspan: 61 ft 3½ in (18.68m)
• Height: 18 ft 1½ in(5.52m)
• Empty weight: 7,272 kg
• Max takeoff weight: 10, 944 Kg
• Powerplant: two Wright R-2600-23 Twin Cyclone
• Maximum speed: 317 mph (510 kmh)
• Range: 1,521 km
• Service ceiling: 7,200 m
• Armament
• Guns:
• 6 x fixed forward firing 0.5 in (12.7mm) Browning machine guns
• 2 x Browning machine huns in dorsal turret
• 1 x flexible Browning machine gun behind bomb bay

• Bombs: 4,000 lbs (1,800 Kg)

Crew members

• William John (Jack) Hart MID No. 22 Squadron