The twin-engine Douglas A-20 was developed by the American company to perform two main operational roles. Its airframe, featuring the distinctive mid/high-mounted cantilever wing, could be configured as a night fighter and attack aircraft by adopting a powerful weapon system in the forward nose section, or configured as a light bomber.The light bomber version achieved significant success not only with the U.S.A.F. but also with the British RAF, which renamed the Douglas aircraft “Boston.” The nose of the Boston was glazed to accommodate the bombardier but retained the nose wheel tricycle landing gear, innovative for its time. It could carry up to 1,800 kg of offensive payload and was produced in large numbers, being employed by the RAF, various Commonwealth air forces, and some units of the Soviet Air Forces.