RCAF.com
Douglas DIGBY
Douglas Digby aircraft in Canadian service. (PAC Photo)The Digby, designed for the US Army Air Corps as the B-18, was actually derived from the DC-2 which was in turn the forerunner to the DC-3 Dakota.
The Digby had the same wings, engines and tail components as the transport aircraft. With the onset of war, the RCAF quickly acquired 20 Digby aircraft for patrol work. They served with Nos 10 and 161 Bomber Reconnaissance Sqns as patrol bombers and with Nos 121, 164 and 167 Transport Sqns.
The first attack on a U-Boat by Eastern Air Command (EAC) was carried out by Squadron Leader C.L. Annis' crew flying a Digby of No. 10 (BR) Sqn on 25 Oct 41. Altogether Digbys of EAC carried out 11 attacks on U-boats. U-520 was confirmed sunk by Flying Officer F. Raymes' crew of No 10 (BR) Sqn, on 30 Oct 1942.
| Manufacturer: | Douglas Aircraft Corporation |
| Crew/Passengers: | Crew of six including two gunners, bomb aimer, navigator, and two pilots |
| Power Plant: | two 1,000 hp (746 kw) Wright R-1820-53 Cyclone 9 radials |
| Performance: | Max Speed: 215 mph (346 km/h) Cruising Speed: 167 mph (269 km/h) Service Ceiling: 16,321 ft (7,403m) Range: 1,200 mi (1,931 km) |
| Weights: | Empty: 16,321 lb (7,403 kg) Maximum Take-off: 27,673 lb (12,552 kg) |
| Dimensions: | Span: 89 ft 6 in (27.28 m) Length: 57 ft 10 in (17.63 m) Height: 15 ft 2 in (4.62 m) Wing Area: 965 sq ft (89.65 sq m) |
| Armament: | Three .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns in nose, dorsal and ventral positions plus up to 6,500 lb (2,948 kg) in bombs or depth charges |
| Cost: | Unknown |