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Wreaking Havoc 1: A-20B 41-3266(?) Outhouse Mouse with a Sharkmouth

Another A-20B photo with interesting features. It is being prepared for Russia and has (circled) rear-firing guns in the nacelles, anti-collision beacon under ground crew's left hand, arrowed formation light (another is visible above the '1' of the serial), and two pairs of formed cowls over the ejector pipes. Leaning towards the 2+2+2 for the starboard configuration:
1739808075712.png
 
It seems, if the starboard outer fixed flap covered only four ejector pipes, the inner covered three, the remaining seven are as AMT depicted them! Therefore, a corrected image of the work I have been doing which will now continue. Starboard on left side of image with port on right:
1739823281905.png
 
1739806318320.png


I can see the logic for these exhaust ports. The engine, exhaust and intake are units that can be easily replaced/interchanged as a unit or power egg. Having different exhaust setups for port/starboard would not make quick easy replacement.
 
Heavens Eagle said:
I can see the logic for these exhaust ports. The engine, exhaust and intake are units that can be easily replaced/interchanged as a unit or power egg. Having different exhaust setups for port/starboard would not make quick easy replacement.
Click to expand...

I agree. The knock isn't on the museum. Such concessions are needed when the original parts are not readily available and this is a reason why I don't trust any flyable restoration until I have a chance to compare it to contemporary manuals and photographs.

HK Models could have looked at the RAAF Amberley Heritage Centre in Queensland, Australia. As a static display, they didn't have to use workable original items which can pass airworthiness tests. In their research, HK Models should have looked at several survivors and asked why such differences existed.
1739844477028.png
 
Trying to verify if the A-20B has the same formation lights as the A-20A. It seems it did but I will check serial numbers:
DouglasA-20ANo3USAirForcephoto_zps3431a4d5.jpg

Douglas-A-20C-Havoc-6AF-in-flight-FRE11348 Nacelle Guns.jpg
DouglasA-20Havoc_zps49c543e6.jpg
Definitely an A-20B, serial 41-3040
DouglasA-20Havoc-2_zps2bd63ad6.jpg


Note that this A-20B assembly line doesn't have the light above the bombardier's compartment making me wonder where the passing light is? Red squares show the anti-collision beacons:
Long_lines_of_a_A-20_attack_bombers_roll_ceaslessly,_night_and_day,_through_the_Douglas_Aircra...jpg
 
Excerpt from A-20A manual. Note that there is a landing light under each wing described. Good, kit provides that. Note the mention of the formation lights location includes horizontal stabilizer. Last, a passing light is mounted in the nose compartment (doesn't state on but I circled it in the photos I posted):
TM A-20A lights.jpg


Anti-collision beacon isn't mentioned but this Havoc, built to British specifications, has one in the red square:
Boston WT3-Boeing-DB-7B-lk-dn-color-Tweak-Feb-2018.jpg


The A-20B manual strangely mentions a singular landing light:
A-20B Landing Light.jpg

Something is on the pilot's overhead cover of this Russian Lend-Lease A-20B Havoc of the 48th Guards Lower Dniester Long-Range Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment of the Main Command of the Red Army, 40th Long-Range Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment, 40th Bomber Aviation Regiment:
A-20-Boston-48GRAP-Reconnaissance-Lower-Dniester-809-with-crew-1943-01.jpg
 
Those of you building Bostons, please note that these are NOT Douglas built later cowlings as found on the A-20G-35-DO and on. These are locally modified cowlings incorporating Clayton 'S' exhaust ejector pipes possibly the same part number as those for the Mitchell which also inspired the Mitchell type covers.
1740011903895.png

A-20_88_Sqn_Vitry_1944.jpg


Compare to a Douglas built Havoc with those ejector stacks:
1740011950175.png


We note that the top ejectors are not there on the Douglas models but evident on the Mitchells:
1740012021830.png
 
sharkmouth said:


Should HK Models release a large scale early Havoc, you might want to take notice of this from the A-20B manual:

spacer.png

Here it is on the inboard side of the port nacelle:

1740193582741-png.178152
Click to expand...


... And just like that, I debunk myself! It is a reflection of the port oil cooler inlet not to mention these below are clearly A-20B, verified by serial numbers, and one can see the light stowed on the outer side of the port nacelle!

051118-F-1234P-058.JPG

photo_usaaf_naaf_2.jpg

1740266556277.png

Now, to find images of the lower starboard wing on the A-20B!

In the meantime, I found a film showing Outhouse Mouse and she is armed! No rear mounted guns (boo!) and not a six gun neither, seems to be only two added to the painted over bombardier nose.

Still no serial!
3.jpg
2.jpg


Film:
 
Kind of like when I was researching the Arizona. Lots of photos, many with good info, but then there would be the things I needed to find and those were not to be found. :bash:
 
Another head-scratcher! Does Outhouse Mouse have the cheek guns or not? Are these gun ports simply taped over? I hope so!
Outhouse mouse either has tape over the guns or is happy to see me tackle this subject!
1740348498428.png

Do I see a clear glass panel?
1740347163949.png

Is the reason for the high mounting of the new pair of nose guns to allow a bombardier to see through a glass panel?
1740348435887.png
1740413261530.png

1740413441072.png

On these, the cheek gun covering isn't there but there is no evidence they were there in the first place:
1740348576547.png
1740348589274.png

Dark panel or clear glass?
1740348635778.png

1740412780529.png

Here, I see the mechanism:
1740413590482.png

1740414572850.png

moon puppy said:
Also notice the evolving US insignia.
Click to expand...
Yes, it will help with dating the video.
:good:
 
Is the bombsight panel the only actual glass in the nose? Everything else would be formed Plexiglas, right?
 
Rhino said:
Is the bombsight panel the only actual glass in the nose? Everything else would be formed Plexiglas, right?
Click to expand...
The whole thing may be plexiglass unless it had to be armored. Thanks for the response as the shape is quite similar to the armored glass panel added to gun nosed A-20C and A-20G. Note the folding back armor with 'shoulders' lying flat:
1740410104178.png

I need to confirm is the cables in the pulley with a crank we see here, but not others, are for the sun shade:
1740410142737.png

Armor thickness can be seen in side view:
1740410155039.png



The British first mounted the glass externally...
1740406683164.png
Then moved them inside, like us Yanks. No folding back armor on this Boston:
raf-boston-bomber-pilot.jpg

A-20J (Havoc Mk IV) in Free French markings. Note folded back armor armor (btw, that is a hair on the negative and not a whip antenna):
march-1945-bombardment-group-i-20-lorraine-of-the-free-v0-ckdaiicz8bke1.jpg
 
Lucky me! It seems the A-20B from the 47th BG (which Outhouse Mouse belongs to) also had the windscreen armor as well as the folding back armor (with 'shoulders') added on at least this aircraft: A-20B Old Tail Code 42, New Tail Code 97, named Bobby. Note thickness of armored glass:
1740413765242.png

1740413850252.png


1740413809059.png


1740414183778.png
1740414199300.png
 
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