Hobby Master Archive

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 Due to heavy losses the A-24 was withdrawn and to the role it was initially intended, training.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.

In Java A-24s carried (1) Dutch 600 lb. bomb on the center-line and (1) 110 lb. bomb under each wing.