A-24 Banshee U.S. Army, Java, 1942 (1:72)

The A-24 based on the Douglas Dauntless with a large pneumatic tail wheel and the tail hook removed. Never meant to be a front-line aircraft the Banshee was only to be used until the arrival of the more powerful A-25 and then it was to be used as a dive-bomber trainer. Because of the out break of WWII and delays with the A-25 the A-24 was forced into action. Due to heavy losses the A-24 was withdrawn and to the role it was initially intended, training.

A shipment of crated A-24 Banshees was destined for the Philippines but when the Japanese captured the islands the aircraft were diverted to Brisbane Australia. There they were re-assembled and found to be missing parts, no self-sealing fuel tanks, no armor-plating and had worn out engines. Pilots referred to them as �Blue Rock Clay Pigeons�. These A-24s were now destined for Java but had to be ferried across Australia to Darwin. On February 10 1942 Banshee s/n 41-15755 was ferried by 2nd Lt.
Jackson who became lost and crash landed. The aircraft was repaired but later was SOC (Struck Off Charge) on August 1944.
Specifications Douglas A-24 Banshee

Crew - 2

Performance
Engine � (1) Wright R-1820-52 / 1,000 HP
Maximum Speed � 250 mph (402.3 km/h)
Cruising Speed � 173 mph (278.4 km/h)
Range � 950 miles with 1,200 lbs. of bombs (1,529 km with 544.3 kg of bombs)
Ceiling � 26,000 ft (7,925 m)

Dimensions
Length � 33 ft (10.6 m)
Wingspan � 41 ft 6 in (12.65 m)
Height � 12 ft 11 in (11.84 m)

Weight
Empty � 5,523 lbs (2,505 kg)
Maximum � 10,200 lbs (4,627 kg)
MTOW � 10,199 lbs (4,626 kg)

Armament
(2) 12.7mm machine guns in the nose
(2) 7.62mm machine guns in flexible mounting in rear cockpit
Up to 1,200 lbs ordnance on 3 hard-points (centerline and under-wing positions) in Java A-24s carried (1) Dutch 600 lb. bomb on the center-line and (1) 110 lb. bomb under each wing.