Douglas A 20 Havoc 43 - 9436

[Boomerang]

Question should be in Far East Forum - I have put it there (not a great start to my first attempt to start a thread!)

I am seeking information about USAAF Douglas A 20 G Havoc 43 - 9436, which I understand operated in the South West Pacific, specifically in Papua New Guinea.

I would appreciate any information about unit, operations, markings, camouflage or related details.

Thank you

[Tony Kambic]

From Joe Baugher's page:

9436 ('Big Nig', 89th BS) force-landed in Bumbura Swamp, New Guinea 1944 and abandoned. Salvaged Aug 16, 1944. Recovered 1994 for use by RAAF Museum in restoration of A-20s A28-8 and 42-86786. Remains of this aircraft noted in storage at RAAF Amberley, Australia November 2002, for disposal by RAAF Museum now that their two A-20 restorations are complete.

[kurlannaiskos]

give me some time and I might be able to find a photo and maybe some other info.

(my main interest is in these planes use in the USSR, but in researching that there are many general references, too)


anything specific you are looking for?

[Boomerang]

Gentleman:

As a new member of this community, I am continuely surprised by the breadth of knowledge of its members, and their efforts to assist others. Your timely responses are so in character.

A member of my family is involved with an organisation which has acquired components, including the largely intact fuselage of 43 - 9436, for a restoration project. I am attempting to obtain information about the aircraft's history and markings/camouflage to contribute to the project. Please contact me via private message/e-mail if you would like more background.

Anyway, thanks you for the information you have provided so promptly. I am not familar with the page you mention, could you let me know its address?

Cheers

Boomerang

[kurlannaiskos]

sorry I have not been able to find any photos of this plane.
however, I have some photos of some of the other planes in the unit.
I can post scans if you like.
research indicates she is an A-20G-25-DO that means she was most likely painted in the factory using Olive Drab ANA 613 , Medium Green ANA 612 in blotches on the leading and trailing edges of the wings and tail and ANA 603 Neutral/Sea Grey for the bottom (this grey has a little blue in it)
the tail has a green tip with a white border beneath. the exact color is unknown to me but has been suggested as Medium Green FS 34102, but this did not exist untill 1956. (I suspect ANA 503 Willow Green)
it has also been suggested that each squadron in the group had different colors on the tip of the tail.
a little bit off-topic is that Italeri has re-issued Amt/ertl kit of the A-20G and includes decals for "Big Nig"
I can post a scan of that if you like.(and it even has the Grim Reapers emblem)

[Boomerang]

Kurlannaiskos:

The information in your post was precisely what I am seeking, thank you very much indeed.

I would be very grateful for scans of other unit aircraft and the Italeri kit you mention, via the main board or private message - whatever suits you.

Cheers

Boomerang

[kurlannaiskos]

I have made a few scans but have many more to make.
it may take a couple of days.
in the mean time this aircraft is of interest in another forum.
http://www.airwarfareforum.com/viewt...=5693&start=15

since you asked about other planes in the same unit I actually have more on them.
including a good quality photo is "Little Isadore" (43-9478 "H" )that proves the medium green blotches. as it turn out "Little Isadore" is included for the original release of this kit (AMT/ERTL 8894)

[Alex Smart]

hello,

Have you looked in on the 3rd BG site via the armyairforces.com web site ? Good photos of crews in there.

or the PacALD site that deals with Pacific Aircraft losses at pacald.net ?

or look in "The Grim Reapers" by Lawrence Cortesi. From page 90 3rd May 1944 43-9436 A-20 2Lt. Thomas J. Reading 89 Sqdn Returned to Duty. Remarks: North of Annenberg.

Alex

[Boomerang]

Gentleman:

Thank you for those excellent sources, which I am following up

Clearly there is a very useful amount of information about 43 - 9436 available.

Regards

Boomerang

[kurlannaiskos]

A-20G-bignig-decals.jpg