A-20 a/c timeline re being sent overseas

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

With regard to the A-20 C aircraft that were sent overseas.
My particular interest being those with US numbers that were destined for the USSR.
Timeline being from the first batch sent from the USA,

Serial number batches were -
A-20B-DL ......999 a/c ......41-2671 - 41-3669.
A-20C-DO......375 a/c ......41-19088 - 41-19462.
A-20C-BO.......140 a/c .....41-19589 - 41-19728.
A-20C-1-DO....100 a/c.....42-32951 - 42-32983 and 42-32984 - 42-33050.
A-20C-5-DO....150 a/c.....42-33051 - 42-33200.
A-20C-10-DO..183 a/c.....42-33201 - 42-33383.

What dates did these a/c leave the USA for overseas ?

I am ONLY interested in those a/c with serial numbers within those listed, that were sent overseas before July 1942.

Many thanks
Alex

 

[nuuumannn]

In September 1941 the British and US signed what became known as the 1st Protocol regarding what to send the USSR, the first of which set sail for Archangel in October 1941 and delivery ceasing by June 30 1942 - your time period. Both countries provided 1,800 aircraft each to the USSR, the Bostons/A-20s numbering 828, all from British contracts or Lend Lease allocations.

I would recommend you get hold of these books, Air Arsenal North America by Phil Butler and Dan Hagedorn (Midland, 2004) and The British Air Commission and Lend lease, K J Meecoms (Air Britain, 2000) and go from there. Many of the USAAF serials you list were allocated British serials and its likely travelled under those as listed within ships' manifests. The two books list serials and what have you, but don't give exact dates for the aircraft's departures from US shores - some went by sea, some by air, some didn't make it at all.

This research requires a bit more leg work from you aside from referencing books, including cross referencing USAF historical records with British ones. The RAF produced Aircraft Movement Cards (Air Ministry Form 78) which gave a listing of what units each aircraft was allocated to, by serial number. These are available from the RAF Museum at Hendon. For the USAAF side of things, you will have to contact the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell AFB.