Rumor has it that there has been an A-20 sighting...

JDK · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:37 am

Steve Nelson wrote:

As much as I hate to see such a rare bird (and one of my faves) leave The States, I hope her new owners are planning to put her back in the air

If it's possible, it'll happen I think.

Steve Nelson wrote:

(adding the turret and guns would be cool, too!)

Yes. Again, we'll see. It should, if it goes into RAAF colours, get the flexible 2 x .303 Browning mount though.

The Douglas Boston is a special type in Australia's history due to the only RAAF Pacific VC being awarded to a RAAF Boston driver.

http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A150546b.htm

Whatever, pink with purple spots, and armed with a Teddy-Bear projector, I don't mind - it's about time one was flying again.

Cheers,

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11335

warbirdcrew wrote:

I find it amazing how the powers that be in the United States can authorize the export of the A-20 while at the same time are getting hung up on the export of the Spitfire.

Hasn't left yet!!!!!!

Roger Cain wrote:

Brandon, use your powers and neccessary force if possible to keep that plane at Chino until after the May show :minigun:

My sources suggest it may be in Chino for "a while."

JohnH · **Posted:** Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:34 am

Wow here we are 17 years later after Tallichet's left the roost on the back of a truck, and here comes another back to Chino the same way. Amazing!

John

Hemiman · **Posted:** Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:27 pm

Here's a pic from 1988. Willie flew it in to Austin for the 89th's Reunion. Pic coutersy of Bill Beck, President of the 3rd/89th Assn.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:00 pm

Quote:

It should, if it goes into RAAF colours, get the flexible 2 x .303 Browning mount

Isn't this airframe an A-2OG? I thought they all had the Martin twin .50 turret..did the Aussies remove it to save weight? I suppose it could be backdated to an earlier Boston with the open gun mount, but that would require major structural mods to the fuselage (which had a "bulge" built in when the turret was added.)

Quote:

Here's a pic from 1988.

Wasn't that the same show where the plane was lost? I thought she had nose guns installed by then. Could it be 1978? That looks like a '78 Olds Cutlass parked next to her. Great pic, in any case!

SN

Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:41 pm

I would agree about the decade issue just going by the clothes and would also say that this is probably the CAFs airplane and not the one that is leaving LSFM.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:17 pm

It's definately the CAF aicraft..you can barely make out "Confederate Air Force" on the tail. Unfortunately no longer with us..

SN

Canso42 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:52 pm

Sure looks like Scholes Field hangars in the background.
Doug R.

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:27 pm

Hemiman wrote:

Here's a pic from 1988. Willie flew it in to Austin for the 89th's Reunion. Pic coutersy of Bill Beck, President of the 3rd/89th Assn.

That is the CAF plane, note the white heart below the elevators on the tail section. I also photo'd this plane during it's last week of existance in 1988 at Harligen, she had four nose guns, and a skull and crossbones on the nose. Tail had a white "T" painted on it, along with a large yellow registration and s/n. I tend to think this picture shown was taken at an earlier date than 1988?

Hemiman · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:09 pm

No mistake about it, that's the CAF's A-20...should have looked the pic over more carefully .. Bill B. who send the pic is pretty adamant that Willie flew that plane to the Reunion, and I've heard comments from other 89th people at one of the Reunions I attended about how it was the high light .... Is there anyone from the CAF that might shed some light on what happened??

Bill

JDK · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:31 pm

Steve Nelson wrote:

Quote:

It should, if it goes into RAAF colours, get the flexible 2 x .303 Browning mount

Isn't this airframe an A-2OG? I thought they all had the Martin twin .50 turret..did the Aussies remove it to save weight? I suppose it could be backdated to an earlier Boston with the open gun mount, but that would require major structural mods to the fuselage (which had a "bulge" built in when the turret was added.)

Hi Steve,
Essentially yes, I wasn't thinking of what model this is (you're right) but where the smart money is as to what it'll depict. I'm not an expert on RAAF Bostons, but the famous ones were the early ex-French, ex-Dutch examples, without the turret. The RAAF did operate A20G models later.

http://www.adf-serials.com/2a28.shtml

I don't know what the plans are for the new owner regarding configuring or painting the a/c, but it seems certain it's intended to fly!

Cheers

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 12:49 pm

Thanks for posting the pic, BDK!! I havent been able to get online since last week. Just going through some of my pics...
On the ramp at Scholes Field

Just doing some cleaning inside the LSFM hangar a few years back.

Another shot of the CAF's A-20.

retroaviation · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:49 pm

Hemiman wrote:

Is there anyone from the CAF that might shed some light on what happened??

Bill

From the NTSB report...
Incapacitation of the pilot while flying an aircraft due to loss of consiousness from a cardiac rhythm disturbance.

Gary

Ztex · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:04 pm

I like this airplane...sad to see it leave "home"

The CAF machine Sad indeed...

RickH · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:29 pm

Did anyone ever fix the "ding" on top of the rudder ?

Since it's going to Australia I'll bet the new owner is glad that it has an air conditioning unit in the bombay !

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Rumor has it that there has been an A-20 sighting...

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