Douglas Boston IV - what bombsight?

[Tony Whittingham]

Hi all,

Does anyone know what type of bombsight was used on Boston bombers? Did the USAAF use Norden sights? Or were these strictly for the B-17, B-24, and B-29?

 

TW

[Sydhuey]

In my 88 Sqn operations sheets it talks about the first Boston IV to the Sqn BZ412  ,"RH-M finally had its full Mk XIV bomb sight fitted and was tested by the CO WC Maher and flew the first Mk IV mission on the 12 Jun 44 with excellent results".

88 Sqn only had 2 x Boston IV's till the end of Jun 44  BZ412 RH-M and BZ449 RH-P, more started coming thru Jul and Aug 44 but never fully replaced all Boston IIIA's up till 88 Sqn disbanded in Apr 45, 88 was a large Sqn with approx. 20 Boston's on strength at the end they were still operating 4-6 Boston IIIA's.

 

US A-20J used the Norden.

 

Edited August 25, 2019 by Sydhuey

[Tony Whittingham]

Thanks Sydhuey,

Good to know. Here’s a tidbit of info for you. The First prime minister of Barbados was a navigator on 88 squadron, his name was E. W. Barrow. 

 

TW

[72modeler]

Tony,

 

I think Sydhuey is right on the money. According to the references I consulted,  including the Joe Baugher website, A-20J/Boston IV's were all fitted with the Norden bombsight, (I think the earlier glass-nosed versions might have used the Sperry sight.) and were flown by 13, 55, 88, and 114 squadrons. A very handsome and capable aircraft that doesn't get the same attention that the B-25, B-26, and its  A-26 sibling did.

Mike

Edited August 25, 2019 by 72modeler
corrected spelling

[Work In Progress]

But as usual, unless you're depicting an opened-up aeroplane attended by crew just before, or immediately after a mission, or actually in flight, then the correct bombsight is "none".