Douglas Boston
Entering service with Bomber Command in July
1941, the Boston was well liked by its crews which flew it in the
light day bomber role.
The first Boston IIIs
were delivered from America in summer 1941, the first squadron to
receive them being No 88 based at Swanton Morley in Norfolk. It was
some time (8 months) before their operational debut - an
anti-shipping raid on 12 February 1942.
The aircraft replaced ageing Blenheim IVs in
No 2 Group of Bomber Command and continued to be used in daylight
raids on targets over occupied countries. Many attacks were made at
low-level to avoid detection by German radar sites and, during the
summer of 1942, a number of daring attacks were carried out; power
stations, factories and railway yards being amongst the most common
targets.
In June 1943, No 2 Group transferred to the
newly-formed Second Tactical Air Force in preparation for the
invasion of Europe where they served until April 1945 and were
replaced by Mosquitos.
Specifications
|
Details for Boston III
|
| Length:
|
47ft 0in (14.32m)
|
| Wingspan:
|
61ft 4in (18.69m)
|
| Height:
|
15ft 10in (4.82m)
|
| Maximum Speed:
|
304mph (490km/h)
|
| Cruising Speed:
|
250mph (403km/h)
|
| Ceiling:
|
24,250ft (7,389m)
|
| Range: |
1,020 miles (1,645
km) with max load |
| Powerplant:
|
Two Wright Cyclone
GR2600 of 1,600hp each |
| Payload:
|
2,000lb (908kg)
|
| Defensive
Armament: |
4 x .303 machine
guns in fixed nose position, 2 x .303 hand-operated guns in
mid-upper and mid-lower postions. |
| Recognition:
|
Slim, deep-sided fuselage with large tail on the rear
fuselage. Heavily-framed glazed nose. Tricycle undercarriage
with mainwheels retracting into engine nacelles.
|
Boston III 3-angle view
(Click to enlarge)
|
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