Flown by the Allies in the Pacific, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Russia, the versatile A-20 went through many variants. The A-20G, which reached combat in 1943, was produced in larger numbers than any other model. By the time production ended in September 1944, American factories had built 2,850 "solid nose" A-20G models. Attacking with forward-firing .50-cal. machine guns and bombs, the A-20G lived up to its name by creating havoc and destruction on low-level strafing attacks, especially against Japanese shipping and airfields across the Southwest Pacific.
In 1961 the Bankers Life and Casualty Co. of Chicago, Ill., donated this A-20G to the museum. It is painted to represent "Little Joe" of the 5th Air Force, 312th Bomb Group, 389th Bomb Squadron, with 150 missions.
Originally trained to fly P-40s, the men of the 312th transitioned to the A-20G in the field. Calling themselves the "Roarin' 20s," the men of the 312th fought their way across the Southwest Pacific from New Guinea to the Philippines.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Eight .50-cal. machine guns; 4,000 lbs. of bombs
Engines: Two Wright R-2600s of 1,600 hp each
Maximum speed: 317 mph
Cruising speed: 230 mph
Range: 1,025 statute miles
Ceiling: 25,000 ft.
Span: 61 ft. 4 in.
Length: 48 ft.
Height: 17 ft. 7 in.
Weight: 26,580 lbs. loaded
Serial number: 43-22200
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