Dec 1941 RLM decision. Produce BMW 801. Cancel Jumo 222.

[Shortround6]

Consider availability.

The U.S. was awash in A-20s by 1941. That's why hundreds were being exported to nations such as France and the Netherlands. I assume the USAAF had priority so acquiring 100 or more A-20 maritime attack aircraft for USAFFE (U.S. Armed Forces Far East) shouldn't have been difficult.

Only if you consider that reneging on signed contracts more than was done to be no problem.

"French Purchasing Commission was sufficiently impressed by the Model 7B that they ordered one hundred examples on February 15, 1939. This was the first solid order for the Douglas design, since the USAAC had yet to place any firm order. 170 more examples were added to the order in October, following the outbreak of war in Europe." These had P&W R-1800 engines and around 1/2-2/3 of the order was taken over by the British. These were followed by 200 DB-7A powered by Wright R-2600s and this French order (placed Oct 20, 1939) was also taken over by the British. Further contracts followed which included contracts for under 200 A-20s and A-20As for the USAAF. the Second US contract was placed on Oct 2 1940 for 999 A-20Bs, the first of which was delivered in Dec of 1941 (once again, it takes time from placement of orders till delivery of aircraft.) There were three production lines making DB-7/A-20s. Douglas-Santa Monica. Douglas-Long Beach and Boeing-Seattle (under licence, The US not placing large orders for B-17s at this time).

As far as seizing the French and British paid for planes went "Some 162 Douglas-built and 194 Boeing-built Bostons ended up being seized by the USAAF" after Pearl Harbor. You are suggesting seizing them in the spring/summer of 1941?

Which versions?


Edit> There was also a production line at Douglas- El Segundo. The US was NOT awash in A-20s as these were, as previously stated, mostly contracted for aircraft that were being delivered as fast as possible and NOT planes built on speculation sitting around on lots waiting for buyers like a big car lot. The best that might be done would be to defer deliveries on currant production for more aircraft to be delivered later.

One reason for the US not using the A-20 a great deal was it's short range. See the following,

http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/Images/A20/A20FOICa.pdf

And please note that normal fuel capacity for an A-20 was 400 US gallons or very close to it. Depending on model there were auxiliary tanks above the bomb bay and for ferry flights a tank that would fit in the bomb bay. Use of the auxiliary tanks requires overload take off or reduced bomb load or both.

Also note that even 340 gallons of fuel (after allowing for warm up and take off) is only good for 710 miles range at just under 170mph true airspeed under 10,000ft. and that use of maximum continuous power (not even military power) more the quadruples the fuel consumption per minute. 5 minutes at maximum continuous is worth 55-60 miles of slow speed cruise. Military power could be 6.5 gallons a Minute? or 5 minutes equaling a 1/2 hour or just under of low speed cruise depending on altitude?

Basically, the A-20, while able to perform some roles very well is also limited to a combat radius (without the use of the auxiliary tanks) shorter than a P-47 without drop tanks.

It is around 250 miles from Clark Field to the Northern tip of Luzon and around 600 miles from Davao to Manila.