Douglas Military Aircraft (WW 2): Books - History and Models

The Douglas A-20 Havoc : From Drawing Board to Peerless Allied Light Bomber

Of all the Allied bombers of WWII, the Douglas A-20 Havoc is probably the least well known, but was a major contributor to the air war effort, flying yeoman and unheralded missions not only for the USAAF, but also for the Royal Air Forces of Britain, South Africa, and Australia; the Vichy and Free French Air Forces; and most importantly, for the Soviet Army and Navy Air Forces, where more A-20s flew than with the USAAF.

Pages of the book "The Douglas A-20 Havoc : From Drawing Board to Peerless Allied Light Bomber"

This is the sixth in the "Ultimate Look" series and presents the same meticulous depth of research as the other books, using a multitude of original sources, technical manuals, and photographs.
It includes an in-depth look into the history of the Douglas Company, its founder, Donald Douglas, and its legendary designer, Ed Heinemann.

This book is truly the definitive look at the Havoc.

Product details

Author:	William Wolf
Details:	520 pages, 11 x 8.5 in (28 x 21.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	788 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2015)
ISBN:	9780764348334

A-20 Havoc: Douglas's Attack Bomber / Night Fighter in WWII (Legends of Warfare)

The A-20 Havoc, known to the British as the Boston, was built by Douglas and Boeing during WWII and arguably became the most famous of the attack aircraft fielded by the United States during that war.

This volume traces the aircraft from the prewar Douglas 7B through the many versions of the aircraft used by the US, French, British, and Russian forces during the course of the war.
The story of these iconic WWII aircraft is told through carefully researched photos, many of which have never before been published, which are reproduced in remarkable clarity.
Large, clear photos, coupled with descriptive and informative captions, unlock the secrets of this aircraft.

Product details

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	112 pages, 9.1 x 9.25 x 0.71 in (23 x 23.5 x 1.8 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	174 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2021)
Series:	Legends of Warfare
ISBN:	9780764361739

A-26 Invader (Pilot's Flight Operation Instructions)

One of the only aircraft to fly and fight in three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam - the Douglas A-26 Invader earned a reputation for its durability under fire.First flown in 1942, the Invader (known after 1948 as the B-26) featured a single pilot, with a navigator bombardier sitting in the co-pilot's position. Many B-26's served as transport and fire-fighting aircraft after their combat service.
This 150-page reproduction of an original A-26 Pilot's Flight Manual gives a rare glimpse into the cockpit of this Warbird.

Product details

Author:	Douglas Aircraft, USAAF
Details:	150 pages, 10 x 8.1 x 0.31 in (25.5 x 20.5 x 0.8 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	many photos and drawings
Language:	English
Publisher:	Periscope Film (USA, 2010)
Series:	Pilot's Flight Operation Instructions
ISBN:	9781935700036

A-26 Invader: Douglas A-26/B-26 from WWII through Vietnam (Legends of Warfare)

The Douglas Invader has the distinction of being used by the United States in a combat role in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Originally created as an attack aircraft, with the designation A-26, the Invader was intended to replace the Douglas A-20, North American B-25, and Martin B-26 in the US Army Air Forces. However, production delays prevented the aircraft from reaching the field until June 1944.

With up to 14 forward-firing .50-caliber machine guns as well as bombs and rockets, the Invader was well suited for ground strikes when war broke out in Korea in 1951. The Invader returned to combat during that war, carrying the markings of the US Air Force and redesignated B-26.
Used first by the French during their war in Indochina, Invaders later returned to the skies over Vietnam in the hands of American as well as South Vietnamese crews.
In order to base the type in Thailand, which prohibited the USAF from basing bombers in the country, the Invader was once more classified as an attack aircraft, and the A-26 designation returned.

This volume is profusely illustrated with over 250 photos, including vintage color, as well as profile illustrations and line drawings.

Product details

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	144 pages, 9 x 9 x 0.98 in (24 x 24 x 2.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	250+ b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2023)
Series:	Legends of Warfare
ISBN:	9780764366390

Douglas B-18 Bolo : The Ultimate Look - From Drawing Board to U-Boat Hunter

William Wolf brings his meticulous research to describe the little known Douglas B-18 Bolo which was America's most numerous front line bomber at the time of Pearl Harbor. Over the years the story of the airliner turned bomber has languished in obscurity and the few articles on the subject in popular aviation magazines have emphasized its faults and maligned it as a budget bomber that had few virtues.

Wolf's comprehensive book is the first ever on the subject and gives the reader the definitive description and appraisal of this neglected bomber's development, testing, manufacture, the aircraft per se, and combat experience.

Product details

Author:	William Wolf
Details:	216 pages, 11.4 x 9.1 x 0.94 in (29 x 23 x 2.4 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	260 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2006)
ISBN:	9780764325816

Douglas TBD Devastator : America's First World War II Torpedo Bomber (Legends of Warfare)

The Douglas Devastator was the US Navy's first all-metal combat aircraft, the Navy's first airplane with a fully enclosed cockpit, the first aircraft to have hydraulically folding wings, and the first US Navy torpedo bomber to see combat.
Although facing staggering losses in the early stages of the war in the Pacific, the brave men flying the Devastator from the decks of such famed ships as Enterprise, Hornet, Yorktown, and Lexington held the line against the enemy.

Pages of the book "Douglas TBD Devastator : America's First World War II Torpedo Bomber"

Through carefully researched photos, many of which have never before been published and which are reproduced in remarkable clarity, the history and details of this iconic aircraft are revealed.
This clarity, and the large size of many of the photos, coupled with descriptive and informative captions, puts the reader in the skies with this historic aircraft.

Product details

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	112 pages, 9.25 x 9 x 0.67 in (23.5 x 24 x 1.7 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	196 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2017)
Series:	Legends of Warfare
ISBN:	9780764354199

Douglas XB-19 : An Illustrated History of America's Would-be Intercontinental Bomber

In 1935, the intent of the Army Air Corps was to build a potential intercontinental bomber, a Guardian of the Hemisphere; they granted Donald Douglas a contract to build the worlds largest bomber.
Over the past 75 years, there have only been a few magazine articles on the gigantic Douglas XB-19 bomber, usually showing it in photos dwarfing the aircraft around it. Since the XB-19 project was top secret and there was only one example, there is little information remaining for researchers.

Pages of the book "Douglas XB-19 : An Illustrated History of America's Would-be Intercontinental Bomber"

William Wolf presents this enigmatic bomber, a Flying Laboratory that was the precursor to Americas first intercontinental bomber, the Continental B-36 Peacemaker. Wolf has used original Douglas and Army Air Force documents and very rare (as few were needed for one bomber) Erection & Maintenance Manuals in this history, which also includes never-seen-before photos and color profiles.
This volume is a must for the aviation historian, enthusiast, and modeler.

Product details

Author:	William Wolf
Details:	128 pages, 11 x 8.5 in (28 x 21.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	251 photos and drawings
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2017)
ISBN:	9780764352324

SBD Dauntless: Douglas's US Navy and Marine Corps Dive-Bomber in World War II (Legends of Warfare)

The Douglas Dauntless was the US Navy's frontline dive-bomber in the early days of WWII. Even after the larger and more powerful Helldiver joined the fleet in the later stages of the war, the Dauntless remained in the fray, flying from the decks of escort carriers, which were too small to permit the operation of the later aircraft, as well as continuing to serve from the decks of fleet carriers.
The Dauntless took part in many of the most notable battles of the war in the Pacific, including Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal.

Carefully researched war-era photos are augmented with color images of current-day preserved aircraft, capturing the details of this flying legend. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.

Product details

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	128 pages, 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.67 in (23 x 23 x 1.7 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	228 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2019)
Series:	Legends of Warfare
ISBN:	9780764358463