A-20G Havoc RAAF
Master Version Limited Edition

HK Models, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

RAAF Bostons operated exclusively with 22 Squadron. They saw front-line action between November, 1942 and November, 1944. The first Bostons used by the RAAF were DB-7Bs and A-20Cs.

Early use of Bostons in New Guinea revealed a fatal flaw. Three aircraft were destroyed when 20 lb fragmentation bombs exploded prematurely after being released from the bomb-bay. The discontinuation of these bombs on Boston missions was the simple solution to this tragic problem.

22 Squadron Bostons at Port Moresby sometimes operated alongside 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighters. The role of the Boston was that of a conventional bomber on its first target run, with additional strafing runs over the target area taking advantage of its heavy forward-firing guns.

Operations were conducted under the typically harsh conditions of the South-Western Pacific Theatre. Crews fought malaria, heat, stifling humidity, tropical thunderstorms and unfriendly wildlife before even leaving the ground. RAAF Bostons encountered heavy anti-aircraft defences, and the long distances flown over water and jungle presented real dangers. As if all this was not bad enough, many downed aircrews were executed - some being beheaded.

The local conditions were a constant challenge to maintenance personnel, but the Boston proved to be a reliable workhorse and was popular with its crews.

22 Squadron followed the Allied advance; island-hopping from Moresby to Goodenough Island, to Kiriwina Island, to Noemfoor and finally to Morotai.

In June 1944, 22 Squadron received replacements for its weary Boston IIIs. The turreted A-20G added welcome extra bomb-carrying capacity. The added defensive capability afforded by the Havoc's power-operated Martin turret was academic at this stage of the Pacific war - air resistance by Japanese forces was almost unheard of.

29 A-20G Havocs (Boston IV) were eventually delivered to 22 Squadron.

The service life of these aircraft was cut prematurely short by a Japanese air raid on 22 Squadron's base at Morotai Island. This raid destroyed eleven and damaged two A-20s. This was the end of Boston/Havoc operations for the RAAF. The Squadron was immediately withdrawn to Noemfoor to be re-equipped with Beaufighters.

22 Squadron Bostons operated alongside USAF Squadrons in New Guinea operating the same aircraft type. Many Bostons still lie abandoned in the jungles of the South-Wester Pacific. During the 1980s, an RAAF-sponsored mission recovered two Boston airframes in excellent condition. Both are in advanced states of restoration. One will remain in Australia, and one will be returned to New Guinea for their War Memorial.

HK Models originally released their 1:32 scale A-20G Havoc Over Europe (Kit No. 01E039) in 2023 as the first in a series of Havocs. Now HK Models has added a second kit to the family, A-20G Havoc RAAF (Kit No. 01E042).

I am reviewing the Master Version, Limited Edition which includes white metal landing gear, 18 Master Model brass machine gun barrels, nose weights and a frameable artwork.

This is delivered in a big box with no space wasted. It barely fits onto my photography table!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

The model represents the most common variant of the A-20G with the six-gun nose and turret. The earliest production G models had a four-gun nose and no turret.

The kit comprises 498 parts in grey plastic; 17 parts in clear plastic; 18 x turned brass barrels from Master Model; 31 photo-etched parts; markings for two RAAF aircraft.

The parts count may sound high but keep in mind that more than 300 of these parts are for the engines alone.

The outline of HK Models's 1:32 scale A-20G Havoc captures the spirit of the Havoc with its skinny fuselage, bulged in the middle for the Martin turret; the big fin, the rakishly angled horizontal stabilisers; and the near flat dihedral of the graceful wings.

Surface detail is very crisp and restrained. This is made up from recessed panel lines and rivets.

HK Models has also moulded convincing oil can effect onto the major metal surfaces.  This delivers a rippled surface to the wings, tail planes and fuselage. I think it looks great.

There are a few sink marks or visible ejector pin marks in various places but they will mostly be hidden when the kit is complete.

The undercarriage, engines and cockpit are very well detailed.

The cockpit features separate rudder pedals and control column, seat, rear shelf with oxygen bottle, instrument and switch panels moulded as a single piece and pilot’s head armour.

The dials on the instrument panels are simple circles with raised bezels.

HK Models supplies a single decals to overlay the instrument panel. It looks good. However, there are already a number of after-market updates from Eduard and Yahu to replace the kit panel if you would prefer.

Plenty of structural detail is moulded onto the inside of the engine nacelles.

The front undercarriage leg and wheel bay are moulded to the bottom of the cockpit floor.

HK Models has very thoughtfully supplied shaped metal nose weights for the fuselage. This will save a lot of time and trouble squeezing enough sinkers in the nose to keep the front wheel grounded.

The Martin turret also looks very well detailed. The on-piece frameless turret is clear and free from distortion.

The turret will rotate and the guns elevate You will be able to completely assemble the turret and insert it into the upper fuselage at the end of assembly and painting.

The mid-fuselage interior and bomb bay are fabulous. Bulkheads and inner sidewall sections are included. Four 500lb bombs are also offered. The bomb bay doors may be posed open or closed. Life raft compartment and radio boxes complete the detail package. The only downside is that you will see very little of the interior once the fuselage is closed up. Take lots of photos!

Bulkheads are fitted all the way to the end of the fuselage.

The canopy features a separate long upper hatch that will also display the stowed life raft if posed open. Another nice touch is the pilot’s sliding window panels. The forward panels on each side may be posed open, closed, or to taste.

18 x .50 cal machine gun barrels are provided by Master Model from Poland. These are gorgeous.

Photo-etched armour panels are offered for the fuselage. I think I will replace mine with very thin Tamiya 0.1mm PlaPaper using the photo etched parts as a template.

Ammo boxes and other details fit out the nose and the six nose guns. Only minor surgery will be required to remove the plastic barrels.

The pilot’s entry hatch is a separate part, as is the rear lower hatch for the navigator / gunner.

Although they are not mentioned in the instructions, white metal parts are supplied for the assembly of the undercarriage legs. Wheels are subtly bulged and flattened. It looks like you will have to fit the main undercarriage legs inside the upper wing locating holes before the nacelles are glued into place. Take great care while handling the partly assembled model.

Flaps, rudder, elevators and ailerons are separate parts that may be posed to taste.

The big wings are secured with a locking tab arrangement. This should result in a firm, gap-free fit and perfect dihedral.

Wing tips have separate clear navigation lights.

The engines are bristling with detail thanks to a whopping 154 parts per side. As you might expect, all the features of the Wright R-2600-23 Twin Cyclone 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines are included here.

A large 28 page instruction booklet walks through assembly step-by-step.

Markings

Markings are supplied for two RAAF A-20G-40-DO on loan from the USAAF and attached to 22 Sqn. RAAF on Noemfoor Island in the Summer of 1944.

Code letters are presented as white. It is possible that these were actually RAAF Sky Blue, although the paint quickly washed out to a very pale shade (close enough to white) under the harsh Pacific sun. Serial numbers on DU-T are white but I am pretty sure that they should be Medium Sea Grey.

The decal sheet is luxuriously printed by Cartograf. Colours look great.

I was delighted to see that HK Models has added the 1:32 scale A-20G Havoc RAAF to its line-up.

I do hope that we will also see 1:32 scale DB-7, A-20B/C and P-70 Night Fighter in HK Models boxes too!

HK Models's A-20G Havoc is an exciting new addition to their range of 1:32 scale medium and heavy US bombers.

Thanks to HK Models for the sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 13 June, 2025
Last updated 13 June, 2025

Back to HyperScale Main Page