I worked on this plane in 1973. It was purchased from Howard Hughes by Willy Farah (El Paso, TX) via an agent to avert publicity for Mr. Hughes. Mr. Farah dedicated a very large hangar to the project, along with three A&P's. My task was to address the Bombay area, which had been converted by Mr. Hughes for use as an executive seating area (complete with 4 seats and a bar). There was a significant window on each side of the converted area. The issue was, Mr. Hughes had closed cell foam applied to the interior walls and floor of the compartment, making it very comfortable for the occupants. Problem ... it appeared impossible to remove. Chemicals only turned the foam to a goo. We finally settled on 1" abrasive pads attached to an air-dye grinder. It removed the foam with little effect, as long as you wore a hazmat suit (very new in those days). And yes ... it was a 4-year project where Mr. Farah took the plane down to the wheels and brought it back up again. Every single nut, bolt, screw and washer was replaced. The engines and props were overhauled, along with every wire and instrument being replaced or rebuilt. It was the first time I had ever seen Imron paint applied. Even though it is olive drab, it looked wet from every angle. This plane was the fastest aircraft on record at sea level, and Willie could really make it talk. He drove one in the Korean War to great success. Problem: The Bylaws of Farah Manufacturing (men's clothing company) precluded Willie from operating any aircraft without a co-pilot (it's a single seater). Resolution: Willie fired the company president, invoked his powers as Chairman of the Board, changed the Bylaws of the Corporation, engaged a new insurance provider ... and went flying. My kinda guy.
A good friend of mine Woody Rutter flew these in the pacific. Authored a book Wrecking Havoc. I was just gifted a model of this plane given to me by his wife who won it at a A 20 reunion in Texas-it is one of my prize possessions as well as my friendship with Woody who passed last year. Fly on Havoc's
My dad was the rear gunner in the A20. He served in North Africa and England for the 9th Air Force . My dad also did go on torpedo missions with the type of aircraft.
Thanks for the video ! My dad flew 57 combat missions against the Japanese in New Guinea and the Philippines in A-20s . He said that they would come in to a target at tree top level , throttles firewalled , all six 50 calibers lit up , three aircraft abreast in waves and one mission against Hollandia had 88 A-20s in it . He was 21 years old when he arrived in New Guinea and his group leader was 20 .
He would've been in the 3rd attack group. Do you know what Squadron? My dad was an A20 gunner in the 90th. I had said 89th but that was a mistake upon checking because he went to 89th reunions. I think he did missions with the 89th because the 90th was mostly a B25 group with a very few A20s.
My uncle was a pilot of one and was lost March 23, 1944 in New Guinea. My father was also a pilot in the Army and later taught math at the new Air Force Academy. I am just learning about the history of the aircraft and the groups they flew with. I grew up looking at and being around airplanes and going to airshows and eventually taking pilot training such that I could not tell you if I have ever seen one of these. Thank you AVweb for putting this togther.
Father was a gunner in an A-20G. 312th BG, 389th Bomb Squadron. Six combat missions before the war ended and they started converting the 312th to a VH group with the B-32 Dominator.
@@bertdownriver Wow! My dad was there at the end of the war--- arrived in May, 1945. There are a few books out about the 312th--- do you have them? I have two of them right now.
My Uncle Jim Siracuse, who is now 101 years old flew this in bombing, should say bomb mission over France. They weren't expected to come back. He was shot down and held as a POW. Amazing man who never told anyone about his military service until a few years ago. Last of the American Heroes.
I and future generations thank you!!! My father was in the twelvth airforce-which you hear almost nothing about. They flew the A 20 almost non-stop 24-7 in N Africa. He had nine battle clusters. I`m not sure but I think he was in the 47, if that sounds right? I know that they also flew B 25s. He was going to show me a base that he was at in Moroco, but I got kicked out of country. He was an old man and went o bed early. I went out on the town. In the morning he wanted to know how a twelve year old ran up a thousand dollar bar tap in one night. He sais, "Son don`t worry. I did almost the same thing when I was in the army. The oly difference is that I was 24 years old and yor only twelve. I have one word to say to you, clip joint." I said "what`that" In which he replied, "Don`t worry, we`ll both find out when your mother hears about this." By-the-way, they have nice belly dancerd in moroco.
My gunner dad's airplane from New Guinea to the Philippines in one of the first three parafrag bomb groups (90th Squadron, 3rd Attack Group, 5th AAF - "Grim Reapers" ) attacking Japanese army airfields, shipping, ammo dumps etc. in Indochina and elsewhere in the Pacific theater. Very nice restoration and thank you for that.
Great restoration. I've never seen an A20 anywhere. My great-uncle was an air gunner on an A20 in North Africa. "Boston Bomber" of the SAAF 24th squadron. Didn't know there were any around to be found.
My French grandfather was wireless operator / air gunner on an A20 of 342 (Lorraine) Squadron... the Free French flying with the RAF out of Norfolk in England. He was tragically killed in 1943.
A Boston Bomber eh? SAAF most likely means South African Air Force but forgive me of my ignorance. All I understand was that your grandfather flew for the British. I can only imagine what it felt like.
My great uncle was with the South African 24th squadron. Flying with the British. He was killed in action Sept. 1, 1942 on his 3rd bomb run of that day.
My Dad was in new guinea around 1943-44 and flew a20s with a bunch of the folks. I have an insignia of the Grim Reapers that he flew with. He was with the 3rd attach group. He got the distinguished flying cross for his efforts
its 10/10/2022 and this exact plane just flew directly over my house in San Antonio TX. Multiple times and it is still circling as of this comment! Awesome display!!
Great under-rated airplane. This was somewhat like the US version of the Bristol Beaufighter, but the A-20 came first. The Russians loved them. I wasn't aware that there was still one flying.
When I see this aircraft. I remember pictures of one shot down over New Guinea. Photo was taken from camera of a lead A20. So sad for the crew. May they rest in peace. And grateful for their service. 🙏
Thanks for this video. I had no idea that this flying example existed. My father gunner crewed A20's in WWII. New Guinea and Philippines. I guess a lot of them had also been lend-leased to the Soviets. My father told me the Soviets had adapted some rear guns to them.
Beautiful airplane. C'mon! post a vid of it flying!!! I would hate to be on a ship in 1944 and spot one of these coming my way! Pappy Gunn's B 25s could bring FOURTEEN .50 cal BMGs to bear plus one version mounted a 75mm cannon. Little wonder the A 20s were quickly phased out of service.
I think the Boston version , without turret, had rudimentary flying controls in the dorsal gunner position. Can't wait for the 1/32 HK models kit of the Havoc to be released.
What a rare bird indeed man O man would I love to see this aircraft in person. What a fantastic job these guys have done. Now would somebody PLEASE finish the P-61???????????
What a Great introducer, cheers the way he told about it makes yuo love the plane and all arround. Gracias desde Madrid, a composer fustrated pilot ..?? jejeje. Great vid, great plane the Havoc.
Lovely aircraft, my uncle was a gunner on the Boston bomber in the uk after time in the Wellington and they had a control stick and some instruments in the rear gunners compartment to try landing it if the pilot was hit, but the gunner could not see anything just the forward bulkhead so blind flying and landing for a gunner not clever don't think it ever worked .
Is this not THÉ PERFECT medium bomber ALOTTA' countries wanted in the late 1930s? IF not YES! Then pretty darn close 🙂 2:13 Not the Pilot doing the bombing in those, right?
Авто/Мото
Love the A20. One one of the coolest planes of WWII. Certainly one of the most under appreciated.
and Grandpa of F111 consept
My Uncle Jack was very proud to have flown the A-20 in the Pacific.
Absolute hero
👍
I worked on this plane in 1973. It was purchased from Howard Hughes by Willy Farah (El Paso, TX) via an agent to avert publicity for Mr. Hughes. Mr. Farah dedicated a very large hangar to the project, along with three A&P's. My task was to address the Bombay area, which had been converted by Mr. Hughes for use as an executive seating area (complete with 4 seats and a bar). There was a significant window on each side of the converted area. The issue was, Mr. Hughes had closed cell foam applied to the interior walls and floor of the compartment, making it very comfortable for the occupants. Problem ... it appeared impossible to remove. Chemicals only turned the foam to a goo. We finally settled on 1" abrasive pads attached to an air-dye grinder. It removed the foam with little effect, as long as you wore a hazmat suit (very new in those days). And yes ... it was a 4-year project where Mr. Farah took the plane down to the wheels and brought it back up again. Every single nut, bolt, screw and washer was replaced. The engines and props were overhauled, along with every wire and instrument being replaced or rebuilt. It was the first time I had ever seen Imron paint applied. Even though it is olive drab, it looked wet from every angle. This plane was the fastest aircraft on record at sea level, and Willie could really make it talk. He drove one in the Korean War to great success. Problem: The Bylaws of Farah Manufacturing (men's clothing company) precluded Willie from operating any aircraft without a co-pilot (it's a single seater). Resolution: Willie fired the company president, invoked his powers as Chairman of the Board, changed the Bylaws of the Corporation, engaged a new insurance provider ... and went flying. My kinda guy.
A good friend of mine Woody Rutter flew these in the pacific. Authored a book Wrecking Havoc. I was just gifted a model of this plane given to me by his wife who won it at a A 20 reunion in Texas-it is one of my prize possessions as well as my friendship with Woody who passed last year. Fly on Havoc's
My dad was the rear gunner in the A20. He served in North Africa and England for the 9th Air Force . My dad also did go on torpedo missions with the type of aircraft.
@@pigzilla11 Same here. 312th BG, 389th BS in New Guinea and the Philippines.
Thanks for the video ! My dad flew 57 combat missions against the Japanese in New Guinea and the Philippines in A-20s . He said that they would come in to a target at tree top level , throttles firewalled , all six 50 calibers lit up , three aircraft abreast in waves and one mission against Hollandia had 88 A-20s in it . He was 21 years old when he arrived in New Guinea and his group leader was 20 .
That's awesome,A20s could lay waste to a area real quick specially several of them.
My father-in-law few in the same area. It is possible they knew each other.
He would've been in the 3rd attack group. Do you know what Squadron? My dad was an A20 gunner in the 90th. I had said 89th but that was a mistake upon checking because he went to 89th reunions. I think he did missions with the 89th because the 90th was mostly a B25 group with a very few A20s.
@@icewaterslim7260 My dads squadron was the 13th , they were called the " Grim Reapers "
Oh my God. My Dad was there also in new guinea flying a20. He was a capt and flew with the Grim reapers. They probably knew one another.
Awesome, my grandfather was a top turret gunner on the A20 Havoc during WW2. I am super grateful for the tour.
My uncle was a pilot of one and was lost March 23, 1944 in New Guinea. My father was also a pilot in the Army and later taught math at the new Air Force Academy. I am just learning about the history of the aircraft and the groups they flew with. I grew up looking at and being around airplanes and going to airshows and eventually taking pilot training such that I could not tell you if I have ever seen one of these. Thank you AVweb for putting this togther.
It could be possible my father-in-law knew your uncle. He flew the A-20 around that time in the same area.
My grandfather was an A-20 pilot in the 47th Bomb Group from 1943-1944. Flew 68 missions in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
Beautiful plane. My grandfather worked on A-20's in WWII. Thank you for the video.
Father was a gunner in an A-20G. 312th BG, 389th Bomb Squadron. Six combat missions before the war ended and they started converting the 312th to a VH group with the B-32 Dominator.
I believe my father-in-law flew in the same squadron.
@@bertdownriver Wow! My dad was there at the end of the war--- arrived in May, 1945. There are a few books out about the 312th--- do you have them? I have two of them right now.
,@@vtbmwbikermy father in law,I think was in the 318th. I'll check. Thanks
WOW! I didn't any A-20s still flew. Thanks for keeping the history alive!
Did more in the opening days of WWII than it gets credit for.
Love the A20/P70.
Brave men in the air and on the ground.
My uncle was a gunner on the a20. Shot down and killed in Papua New guinea in 1944.
Great Man...cheers on Memorial Day 2019
ur uncle in a a-20 and ur dad in a me 110 ? how did that happend?
My Uncle Jim Siracuse, who is now 101 years old flew this in bombing, should say bomb mission over France. They weren't expected to come back. He was shot down and held as a POW. Amazing man who never told anyone about his military service until a few years ago. Last of the American Heroes.
I and future generations thank you!!! My father was in the twelvth airforce-which you hear almost nothing about. They flew the A 20 almost non-stop 24-7 in N Africa. He had nine battle clusters. I`m not sure but I think he was in the 47, if that sounds right? I know that they also flew B 25s.
He was going to show me a base that he was at in Moroco, but I got kicked out of country. He was an old man and went o bed early. I went out on the town. In the morning he wanted to know how a twelve year old ran up a thousand dollar bar tap in one night. He sais, "Son don`t worry. I did almost the same thing when I was in the army. The oly difference is that I was 24 years old and yor only twelve. I have one word to say to you, clip joint."
I said "what`that"
In which he replied, "Don`t worry, we`ll both find out when your mother hears about this."
By-the-way, they have nice belly dancerd in moroco.
My gunner dad's airplane from New Guinea to the Philippines in one of the first three parafrag bomb groups (90th Squadron, 3rd Attack Group, 5th AAF - "Grim Reapers" ) attacking Japanese army airfields, shipping, ammo dumps etc. in Indochina and elsewhere in the Pacific theater. Very nice restoration and thank you for that.
I was born March 10, 1943, when my Dad flew this from North Africa, WWII. Very little said about this bomber. Thank you for this.
I had no idea those were single pilot.. and only 1-2 other crew! Talk about task saturation!
Lancaster had only one pilot.....
Great restoration. I've never seen an A20 anywhere. My great-uncle was an air gunner on an A20 in North Africa. "Boston Bomber" of the SAAF 24th squadron. Didn't know there were any around to be found.
My French grandfather was wireless operator / air gunner on an A20 of 342 (Lorraine) Squadron... the Free French flying with the RAF out of Norfolk in England. He was tragically killed in 1943.
A Boston Bomber eh? SAAF most likely means South African Air Force but forgive me of my ignorance.
All I understand was that your grandfather flew for the British. I can only imagine what it felt like.
My great uncle was with the South African 24th squadron. Flying with the British. He was killed in action Sept. 1, 1942 on his 3rd bomb run of that day.
Great plane, the A-20 is a definite favourite and the pilots who flew it loved it too.
My Dad was in new guinea around 1943-44 and flew a20s with a bunch of the folks. I have an insignia of the Grim Reapers that he flew with. He was with the 3rd attach group. He got the distinguished flying cross for his efforts
Impressive maybe next time include an actual flight of the aircraft. It would be awesome to watch.
Fantastic restoration. Love it when these old warbirds get a second life.
its 10/10/2022 and this exact plane just flew directly over my house in San Antonio TX. Multiple times and it is still circling as of this comment! Awesome display!!
Great under-rated airplane. This was somewhat like the US version of the Bristol Beaufighter, but the A-20 came first. The Russians loved them. I wasn't aware that there was still one flying.
The Havoc lived up to it's name....
When I see this aircraft. I remember pictures of one shot down over New Guinea. Photo was taken from camera of a lead A20. So sad for the crew. May they rest in peace. And grateful for their service. 🙏
I had the opportunity see this in person yesterday out at the Randolph Air Show, I hope one day I can see fly in person.
Thanks for this video. I had no idea that this flying example existed. My father gunner crewed A20's in WWII. New Guinea and Philippines. I guess a lot of them had also been lend-leased to the Soviets. My father told me the Soviets had adapted some rear guns to them.
FANTASTIC AC! Now that's a ground attack machine, hope you'll get a vid of it in flight. Thanks!
ruclips.net/video/jaTSjvtGXzc/видео.html it flies at the end
My uncle flew A-20s in New Guinea. One tough little bastard with way more guts than I have.
One of my favorite aircraft it’s just so interesting
Beautiful work!
Always loved these. Hope to get to see it one day
A20s were bad to the bone, thank you for the video.
I love the look of this aircraft.
Excellent. Thank you for sharing this.
I want one!
I was good friends at Church with a guy that was a Crew Chief for one these I believe . He was stationed in France. RIP Louis Strickland 99 yrs old
Beautiful airplane....I was in Harlingen when the CAF's A-20G crashed....never forget it.
My father-in-law was there. He flew them in the Pacific Theater. They had a reunion and saw the smoke where the plane crashed. He cried.
Beautiful airplane. C'mon! post a vid of it flying!!! I would hate to be on a ship in 1944 and spot one of these coming my way! Pappy Gunn's B 25s could bring FOURTEEN .50 cal BMGs to bear plus one version mounted a 75mm cannon. Little wonder the A 20s were quickly phased out of service.
That's awesome. I didn't know any of them flew any more, but I guess that's my answer.
One of Pappy Gunns favorites
My father flew on those in the ETO (9th Airforce, 410th bomb group.) Hard times!
Beautiful
I think the Boston version , without turret, had rudimentary flying controls in the dorsal gunner position. Can't wait for the 1/32 HK models kit of the Havoc to be released.
Beautiful aircraft. I have been reading about the 5th AAF and their A-20's. I wonder how successful bailout would be with the side opening canopy.
What a rare bird indeed man O man would I love to see this aircraft in person. What a fantastic job these guys have done. Now would somebody PLEASE finish the P-61???????????
The Lyon Air Museum at John Wayne airport in SoCal has an A-20 in flying condition.
An excellent aircraft that was always in the shadow of the B-25.
How? Even though both "medium" bombers, A20's = the FUN one!
I love the way he says torpedo
During the Battle of Midway, the USAAF tried to use B-26's as torpedo bombers. It didn't work out.
What a Great introducer, cheers the way he told about it makes yuo love the plane and all arround. Gracias desde Madrid, a composer fustrated pilot ..?? jejeje. Great vid, great plane the Havoc.
Ed Heinemann's design one of our greatest aircraft designers .....Kermit Weeks would love to buy this baby "winks"
I'm surprised he didn't this plane was sittting at Fox Field Airport Lancaster Calif. for years.
Kermit Weeks has one of his own stored away in bits.
So the glass nose variant didn't have a bomb aimer the pilot did it I never new that. All ways had a soft spot for this plane and the B25.
Nice !
Pretty much confirms what I had been told - that the A-20 pilot had more to keep him busy than almost any other US plane jockey in the War.
No backseat joystick like the earlier version then ?
my Dad was on an A 20 crew in n. Africa in WWII. would like to find someone from there for info.
A-26 next?
Did they lock the top turrent in forward direction so it could add 2 more 50s to the 6 already at the nose? So that means 8 X 50 calibers ?
Lovely aircraft, my uncle was a gunner on the Boston bomber in the uk after time in the Wellington
and they had a control stick and some instruments in the rear gunners compartment to try landing it if the pilot was hit, but the gunner could not see anything just the forward bulkhead so blind flying and landing for a gunner not clever don't think it ever worked .
Papaw was a gunner in 410 th bombardment group 367th squadron
What is the difference between the A-20 and the A-26? They look a whole lot alike to me.
😍😍😍
Where is this masterpiece??! I'm building one right now.. 6' wingspan. Its a G model also..
Интересная символика на самолете...это фантазия?? Или оригинальная времен войны??
Wonder the value of this plane ? $$
I understand the B-26's didn't work well as torpedo bombers either.
"Torpeedas"
Is this not THÉ PERFECT medium bomber ALOTTA' countries wanted in the late 1930s?
IF not YES! Then pretty darn close 🙂
2:13 Not the Pilot doing the bombing in those, right?
My fathers uncle took out a nazi convoy in an a-20 and crashed I think 2 or three.
Torpeedus
One trick pony!
Foolishness.
All weapons to kill.
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