RAF-in-Combat's Squadrons #22: Douglas Boston and Havoc in Australian Service

Just prior to the start of WWII, the French, realizing that their aircraft industry could not keep up with the needs of their air force, started looking abroad for combat aircraft. As the UK was busy re-arming, the logical choice was the United States. The result were a lot of orders from American factories. One of those was to Douglas for the DB-7 attack bomber. While a number of them were delivered, they saw very little action prior to the French surrender.

As the US wasn't about to deliver modern combat aircraft to an occupied country, the remainder was taken over by the British. However, even the British could not use all of the planes so farmed them out to Commonwealth services where they saw considerable use.

One of these was the RAAF. The Australians had already started production of the Beaufort, so really did not need another bomber. As luck would have it, the Boston, as it was now called, turned out to be a pretty good attack aircraft. The result was that one squadron was equipped with the type. 24 Squadron had a rather successful time flying this aircraft, which was particularly capable in the anti-shipping role. Later models of the aircraft were also taken on charge and flew until the end of the war.

This book is like others in the series in that we are provided a brief history of the type along with its operational use during WWII. This means a well researched history of the type's use. In line with others in this series there are some super photos and great full color profiles. The stats section is what you've come to expect from this series, making it a superb reference book and one worth having in your library.

Let me interject that I have found this series of books to be of particular interest. Modelers are always looking or something outside the norm and the Squadron series has produced a lot of interesting types and uses that one does not normally consider. Do yourself a favor. Browse through what's available and I know you'll find something you like.

September  2017

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