1/48 Boston MK.III part 1 - Workhorses in the sky

1/48 Boston Mk.III part 1 - Workhorses in the sky. Catalog Number Art Scale Kit Distribution: 200-D48079

Decal sheet contains the following markings:

1. Boston Mk.III, flown by Squadron Leader Charles Learmonth.
2. Boston Mk.III, 24th Squadron, SAAF, April 1943.
3. Boston Mk.III, 418th Squadron, winter 1942/43.
4. Boston Mk.III, Tunisia 1943.

Boston Mk.III was the British designation for a variant of the American Douglas DB-7B light bomber, later known as the A-20 Havoc in American service.

A short history of the Boston Mk.III:

• Origin: The DB-7 was developed as a result of a U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) requirement for a new light bomber in the late 1930s. The French government showed interest in the type before the USAAC and ordered a significant quantity.
• French order and the fall of France: the first production DB-7s were delivered to France in 1939. After the fall of France in 1940, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) took over the remaining French order.
• British service and the Boston designation: the RAF renamed the bomber versions of the DB-7 to "Boston" and the fighter/night fighter versions to "Havoc". Boston Mk.III was the designation for the DB-7B, which were powered by Wright R-2600 engines and had improved armor protection.
• Deployment: the Boston Mk.III entered service with the RAF in the spring of 1941. They were deployed as light bombers, mainly with RAF 2nd Group units, and operated against targets in occupied Europe. They replaced the older Bristol Blenheim bombers.
• Modifications. IIIs were converted to "Havoc-Intruder" night fighters with additional machine guns in the nose or "Turbinlite" aircraft with a powerful searchlight to illuminate enemy bombers at night.
• Other users: in addition to the RAF, the Mk.III Bostons also served with other Allied air forces, such as the Free Netherlands Air Force and later the USAAF, where they retained the British designation "Boston" for some of the machines supplied.

Overall, the Boston Mk.III was a reliable and effective light bomber that played a significant role in the early stages of World War II in the European theater.

The decal cover varnish can be removed if required - washed off with Zippo lighter fluid.