Douglas 8A-4 for Iraq

Last revised July 1, 2000

The Model 8A-4 was a version of the A-17A built for the government of Iraq. The 8A-4 was quite similar to the 8A-3P ordered by Peru (including the use of the semi-retractable bomb-aiming tub) and was powered by the 1000 hp Wright GR-1820-G103 Cyclone engine. The company numbers of the fifteen 8A-4s ordered were 613/627. They were shipped to Iraq between April and June of 1940.

All DB-8A-4s were apparently destroyed by the Royal Air Force during the Iraqi uprising which began on May 2, 1941 under Rashid Ali.

Sources:


  1. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920, Volume I, Rene J. Francillon, Naval Institue Press, 1988.

  2. Northrop's Connection--The Unsung A-17 Attack Aircraft and its Legacy, Part 2, Alain J. Pelletier, Air Enthusiast, September/October 1998, No. 77