Douglas
Douglas B-18 Bolo
The Douglas B‑18 Bolo was a twin‑engine medium bomber built by Douglas Aircraft Company in the mid‑1930s. Developed from the DC‑2 airliner, it first flew in 1935 and entered U.S. Army Air Corps service in 1936 as the standard bomber until the arrival of more capable types such as the B‑17. Powered by two Wright R‑1820 Cyclone radials of 1,000 hp each, the B‑18 carried a crew of five and was armed originally with a single .30‑caliber nose gun and a dorsal .30‑caliber gun; later B‑18G models received two .50‑caliber guns and a ventral turret. It could transport up to 2,250 pounds of bombs, though its modest speed and defensive firepower soon limited its usefulness as a front‑line bomber.
During World II the B‑18 found a valuable secondary role as a coastal patrol and anti‑submarine aircraft, especially over the Atlantic and Caribbean, where its long endurance was an asset. It also served as a trainer and short‑range transport after the war. Only a few hundred were built, but the B‑18 marked Douglas’s transition from civilian transports to military bombers and provided essential experience that helped shape later designs such as the B‑17 Flying Fortress.
During World II the B‑18 found a valuable secondary role as a coastal patrol and anti‑submarine aircraft, especially over the Atlantic and Caribbean, where its long endurance was an asset. It also served as a trainer and short‑range transport after the war. Only a few hundred were built, but the B‑18 marked Douglas’s transition from civilian transports to military bombers and provided essential experience that helped shape later designs such as the B‑17 Flying Fortress.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 350
- First Flight
- 1935
Design & Classification
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Douglas
- Developer
- Douglas
- Operator
-
United States Air Force
- Wikidata ID
- Q1252035