Douglas A-20G Boston Medium Bomber of the USAAF in Flight, 1943

October 7, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

American Douglas A-20G “Boston” medium bomber of the USAAF (No. 286657) in flight over the United States during World War II.

WWII photo of the American twin-engine medium bomber Douglas A-20G “Boston” (serial 286657) in flight over the United States.

This World War II photograph shows a Douglas A-20G “Boston” medium bomber (serial number 286657) of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) flying over the continental United States. The A-20 series, known as the “Boston” in British and Soviet service and as the “Havoc” in the USAAF, was one of the most widely used light bombers of the Second World War.

Design and Capabilities
The A-20G variant featured a solid nose fitted with six 12.7 mm (.50 cal) machine guns and improved defensive armament. Powered by two Wright R-2600 “Double Cyclone” radial engines, the aircraft combined excellent speed, maneuverability, and reliability. It could carry up to 900 kg (2,000 lb) of bombs, making it suitable for low- and medium-altitude strikes.

Operational History
Used extensively in North Africa, Europe, and the Pacific, the A-20G proved effective in ground-attack and night-intruder roles. Under the Lend-Lease program, hundreds of A-20s were also supplied to the Soviet Union, where they gained a strong reputation among bomber crews for their ruggedness and ease of maintenance.

Technical photo data:
📍 Location: United States
📅 Date: circa 1943
📝 Aircraft: Douglas A-20G “Boston” medium bomber, serial 286657
📷 Author: Unknown