Specification of Douglas DB-7B Boston Mk. III:
Powerplant:
Two Wright R-2600-A5B Double Cyclone fourteen-cylinder, twin-row air cooled radial engines with two-speed supercharger. Rated at 1600 hp for takeoff and at 1000 feet and 1400 hp at 10,000 feet.
Performance:
Maximum speed 311 mph at sea level, 338 mph at 12,500 feet. Cruising speed 273 mph. Initial climb rate 2000 feet per minute. Service ceiling 27,600 feet. Range with 2000-lb bombload 525 miles. Range with 1000-lb bombload 745 miles.
Weights:
15,051 pounds empty, 20,320 pounds normal maximum takeoff, 23,500 pounds overload. Normal crew complement was four -- pilot, bombardier, dorsal gunner, ventral gunner. Fuel capacity 329 Imp gall in four self-sealing tanks in the inner wing panels, one on each side of the engine nacelles.
Dimensions:
Wingspan 61 feet 4 inches, length 47 feet 6 inches, height 17 feet 7 inches, wing area 465 square feet.
Armament:
Four fixed 0.303-inch Browning machine guns in nose with 500 rpg. Two 0.303-inch Browning machine guns in flexible dorsal position. One Vickers K 0.303-inch machine gun in flexible ventral position. Maximum bombload of 2000 pounds in split bomb bay comprising four 500-lb bombs. Normal bombload was 1000 pounds comprising two 500-lb or four 250-lb bombs.
The Boston Mk. III began to arrive in Britain in the spring of 1941. The Boston Mk. III was the first of the DB-7/A-20 series actually to operate with the RAF in its intended role of light bomber. They were supplied to Nos. 88, 107, 226, and 342 Squadrons in the United Kingdom and with Nos. 13, 14, 18, 55, and 114 Squadrons serving in the Middle East and later in Italy. They replaced the Blenheims previously operated by these units. The first raid against the enemy in occupied France took place on February 12, 1942. They took part in attacks on the German warships Scharnhorst, Prinz Eugen, and Gneisenau when they took part in the famous channel dash during Operation Cerberus.
However, many Boston Mk. III aircraft were modified to Turbinlite or intruder configurations. The Boston Mk. III (Intruder) aircraft retained their transparent noses but were painted matte black, equipped with flame-damping exhausts, and fitted with a belly gun pack housing four 20-mm Hispano cannon which supplemented the standard Boston Mk. III armament. These operated from mid-1942 onwards with Nos. 418 (RCAF) and 605 Squadrons. Serials of the DB-7Bs converted to Intruder configuration include W8256, W8262, W8264, W8266, W8268, W8278, W8281, W8283, W8284, W8290, W8292, Z2155, and Z2165. Boston Mk. III aircraft fitted with Turbinlites included W8257, W8265, W8275, W8276, and W8300.
I sure hope we get the Intruder varient...
