TheDouglas A-33 (Model 8A-5) was an Americanattack aircraft built in small numbers during World War II. It was an updated version of theNorthrop A-17, with a more powerful engine and an increased bomb load. While the A-33 was intended initially for the export market, the entire production run was taken up by theUnited States Army Air Corps.
In 1932, the Northrop Corporation had been formed as a partly owned subsidiary ofDouglas and by 1937, the Northrop Model 8 became known as the Douglas 8A produced in the El Segundo Division of Douglas aircraft.
The 8A-5 was powered by a 1,200 hp (895 kW) Wright R-1820-87 engine and was the most powerful and best armed of the series, with four wing mounted 0.30 in machine guns, two 0.50 in machine guns in pods below the wing, a rear-firing flexibly mounted 0.30 in gun, and the ability carry up to 2,000 lb of bombs.
Early in 1940, the Norwegian government ordered 36 8A-5s which had not been delivered before Norway was invaded by the Germans. Completed between October 1940 and January 1941, the aircraft were delivered to a training center in Canada that had been set up for the Norwegian government-in-exile, named "Little Norway" at Toronto Island Airport, Ontario.
After the loss of two aircraft and a reassessment of the training needs now met by the use of other aircraft, the remaining 34 Model 8A-5Ps were sold toPeru. However, 31 were repossessed by theArmy Air Corps at the start ofWorld War II. These aircraft, designatedA-33, were used for training, target tug, and utility duties.[1]
Francillon, René J.McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920. London: Putnam, 1979.ISBN0-370-00050-1.
Pelletier, Alain J. "Northrop's Connection: The unsung A-17 attack aircraft and its legacy, Part 1".Air Enthusiast No 75, May–June 1998, pp. 62–67. Stamford, Lincolnshire: Key Publishing.ISSN0143-5450.
Pelletier, Alain J. "Northrop's Connection: The unsung A-17 attack aircraft and its legacy, Part 2".Air Enthusiast No 77, September–October 1998, pp. 2–15. Stamford, Lincolnshire: Key Publishing.ISSN0143-5450.
Wagner, Ray.American Combat Planes of the 20th Century, Third Enlarged Edition. New York: Doubleday, 1982.ISBN978-0-930083-17-5.
Andrade, John M. .U.S Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, 1979.ISBN0-904597-22-9.
Swanborough, F. G. and Peter M. Bowers.United States Military aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam, 1963, 1971, 1989.ISBN0-85177-816-X.
