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Douglas A-20 and Boston
Anti-Shipping Modifications of the VMF
Part II




A-20G "White 16", 1 GvMTAP, 1944



"White 16" was likely another G-20 model, but the author cannot make out the serial number despite the fact that it remains unperturbed. The image is a still taken from some cine film, and as so often the case, not particularly helpful. Asuming that the unit attribution is correct, this aircraft is remarkable for being one of the very few reliably photographed machines from the 1 GvMTAP which lacks a bombardier type nose.

There appear not to be any serious physical airframe modifications here. The four nose guns look to have been removed-- and perhaps all six of them, as shown-- and subsequent re-painting was minimal. One cannot see a national star insignia on the fin/rudder, and the marking on the fuselage was a bit small. The most interesting feature on "White 16" is the 45-36AN torpedo with its metal parachute container. The serial number has been obscured on the profile artwork.
A-20G "White 25", 1944

One extremely important task for VMF bombers was the deployment of naval mines. Though critical, such missions were (and are) seen to be mundane, and descriptive literature on this work is sadly lacking. However, one interesting aircraft engaged in this task is known from some more not-very-helpful cine film, that being "White 25".

The aircraft's nose had been modified to accommodate a bombardier, and the style of that work reminds one of the 9 GvMTAP, quite likely the unit in which this example served. All of the fixed armament was removed, and a Soviet MVT turret replaced the Martin unit. "White 25" was seen with an AMD-500 mine to starboard, which, as many were, was painted in a gloss black finish (AEh-11?) and not in the customary No67 livery.

The camouflage was likely to have been the usual factory scheme, and with the typical blobs of AMT-4 covering the modified panel areas and US applied markings. A small plain red star marking could just be observed on the rudder, and more usual (for the date) white border type elsewhere.

A-20G "White 1", 51 MTAP(?), 1944

"White1" is invariably attributed to the 1 GvMTAP but the author is not convinced by this claim. This regiment was a dedicated and experienced torpedo unit, mainly operating the Il-4. Later on, indeed, they did receive some A-20s, but looking at the photographic record we see virtually all of the known examples of this type had bombardier noses for torpedo operations. Examples with the remaining four-gun solid nose in this unit are very rare (see above). This machine is known from some cine footage, and later in the same film was seen flying over the camera, during which it appeared to be carrying a BRAB-1000M43 munition; alas, as usual, these cine shots are not often of the highest quality. If so, an armour-piercing bomb in a torpedo specialist regiment would be a bit non sequitur (obvously not impossible, but...).

On the other hand, the author feels that this a another example of the 51 MTAP's extensive modifications involving the installation of copious fuselage windows for the turret gunner. "White 1" retained its four-gun solid nose as commonly seen this this unit. No fewer than five extra windows were cut out of the starboard side fuselage, and the images suggest that the lower tunnel gun opening was sealed shut. 
The entire rear fuselage was re-painted with AMT-4, no doubt as a result of the extensive skin sheeting work. A large star insignia was painted on the fuselage, this being slightly askew and with a thicker border, and the tactical number "1" on the fin. Many Bostons of the 36 MTAP can be seen with trim on the fin/rudder in an unknown shade which seems to match "White 1", causing even more confusion; it is not currently known what colour was used. Judging from the various images a blue colour is often proposed, and here internal primer A-10 is shown. The rudder trim tab was painted red.

A-20C "White 5" 36 MTAP, 1943

This venerable old warrior from the 36 MTAP was photographed in late 1943, crew alas currently unknown. "White 5" had its armament fit very substantially modified, most notably with the installation of an MVT turret with a 12.7 mm UBT gun. A similar weapon replaced the .30 Browning in the tunnel below, and the twin .30 cal 'cheek tunnels' were removed altogether. Some kind of Browning gun appears to remain in the internal nose fitted station (likely explaining the small deflection plate), but the calibre is not immediately obvious.


The finish on this example was haphazard to say the least. Much of the aft fuselage and fin/rudder were re-painted with AMT-4, but the modified nose section and part of the fin received AMT-6 black. Two thin white bordered nation star were added, the marking on the fin being poorly proportioned (too tall). A handsome white number "5" was applied to the rudder, but the same number was also scribbled by hand onto the fin. The original serial number was just visible, appearing to be 41-19279. The wing starboard under-surface's outer portion was completely re-painted, following which a large plain red star was added.

A-20G "White 7"

No unit assignment is given for this aircraft, but it seems likely to have been in service with a VMF regiment as Naval fliers are shown climbing aboard. "White 7" looks to have been an older G model example, and no D/F loop can be seen by the radio mast. All of the six fixed Browning guns were in place, and in fact no physical modifications were made to the aircraft's structure. A FAB-500M43 can be seen mounted on its external rack.
The aircraft's finish seems to have been quite dark, again suggesting extended time in service. The area around the fin and rudder was very worn indeed, while the fuselage looks to have been quite freshly painted with a large and crooked national star. The serial number had been covered as usual with blobs of AMT-4, and a star placed onto the wing under-surface.

Addendum


This example from the 51 MTAP has its external rack unusually mounted to port.

The extremely well photographed A-20G-36-DO s/n 43-10067 "White 16" of the 51 MTAP had external bomb racks mounted on both sides of the fuselage.

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