When the United States entered World War II, the A-20 attack bomber had already been proven in combat by British and French forces. On July 4, 1942, six A-20s flown by American crews of the 15th Bombardment Squadron accompanied six flown by British crews on a low-altitude mission against four Dutch airfields, the first U.S. daylight bombing raid in Europe.

The versatile A-20 was used in the Pacific, Middle East, North African, Russian and European theaters. Some A-20s equipped with radar equipment and additional nose guns were redesignated as P-70s and were used as night fighters until replaced in 1944 by the P-61 Black Widow with its increased high-altitude performance.

A-20 production halted in September 1944 with more than 7,000 built for the United States and its allies.

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SPECIFICATIONS:

Span: 61 ft. 4 in.

Length: 48 ft.

Height: 17 ft. 7 in.

Weight: 26,580 lbs. loaded

Armament: Eight .50-cal. machine guns, 2,000 lbs. of bombs internally, 2,000 lbs. externally

Engines: Two Wright R-2600s of 1,600 hp each

Cost: $74,000

Serial number: 43-22200 (displayed as 43-21475)

C/N: 21637

PERFORMANCE:

Maximum speed: 317 mph

Cruising speed: 230 mph

Range: 1,025 miles

Service ceiling: 25,000 ft.