A truly international warbird, the A-20 was the most produced US attack aircraft of WWII. A dependable attack, light bomber and night fighter designed in 1938, saw action in every theatre of war.

A20G Havoc #42-86786 “Hell’n Pelican” was operated by the 388th Bomber Squadron of the 312th Bomb Group and recovered by a RAAF Chinook helicopter from near Annamoin Village, Papua New Guinea, in September 1984.

The aircraft had crashed onto a flat field covered with long kunai grass about 100 metres from the nearest tree having run out of fuel returning from a mission from Gusap, New Guinea to attack Hollandier on Sunday, 16th April 1944, “Black Sunday”. Crew members were picked up by Royal Australian Navy stores carrier HMAS Matafele on 1 May 1944 in Madang Harbour after they made their way down the Gogol River.

When recovered, the aircraft was in a remarkable, well preserved and complete condition although the turret guns had been removed.

After restoration, the Havoc was officially handed over to the Papua New Guinea Government in a ceremony on 12 September 1996 at RAAF Amberley.

Second Lieutenant Charles Davidson who had piloted the aircraft on that fateful day attended the ceremony with his wife Thelma.

Specifications


Type: Light Bomber
Crew: 1 pilot, 2 crew
Engines: 2 × Wright R-2600-23 Twin Row 14 cylinder radials,1,600 hp (1,200 kW) each

Length:  47 ft 11​ in (14.63m)
Wingspan:  61 ft 4 in (18.69m)
Height:  17 ft 7 in (5.36m)

Empty weight:  17,200 lb (7,800 kg)
Max Take-off weight:  27,200 lb (12,338 kg)

Max speed: 317 mph (510 km/h) at 10,700 ft (3,260 m)
Cruise speed: 230 mph (370 km/h)
Range: 1,025 mi (1,650 km) (Combat range)
Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)

Nose Mount: Six M2 Colt-Browning 0.50 inch machine guns (350 rounds per gun)
Mid Upper Turret: Power-driven with two 0.50” M2s
Ventral Tunnel Gun: Single 0.50” M2 (400 rpg)
Bombs: 4,000 lb (1,820 kg) on 4 bomb bay and 2 underwing stations

Restoration