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Type: Attack Bomber, Reconnaissance (FA-26), Target Tug (JD-26) Origin: Douglas Aircraft Models: A-26 (Later B-26) and JD-1 Invader; rebuilt as B-26K (later redesignated A-26A) Crew: Three (Bomber) First Flight: XA-26: July 10, 1942 B-26K (rebuilt by On Mark): February 1963 Service Delivery: December 1943 Final Delivery: January 2, 1946 Production: A-26B: 1,355 Powerplant: Most models Model: P&W R-2800-21, 71, 0r 79 Double Wasp Type: 18-cylinder two row radial Number: Two Horsepower: 2,000 On Mark Invader (B-26K) Model: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-103W Double Wasp Type: 18-cylinder two row radial Number: Two Horsepower: 2,500 Dimensions: Wing Span: 70 ft. (21.34m) Wing Span (B-26K): 75 ft. (22.86m) including tip tanks Length: 50 ft. (15.24m) Height: 18 ft. 6 in. (5.64m) Height (B-26K): 19 ft. (5.79m) Wing Area: 540 sq. ft. Weights: Empty: 22,370 lb. (10,145 kg.) Loaded (Original): 27,000 lb. (12,247 kg.) Loaded (Later): 35,000 lb. (15,876 kg.) Overload (Original): 32,000 lb. (14,515 kg.) Overload (Later): 38,500 lb. (17,460 kg.) |
Performance: Max. Speed: 355 mph (571 km/h) Initial Climb: 2,000 ft/min (600 m/min) Service Ceiling: 22,100 ft (6736 m) Range (Max. Bomb Load): 1,400 miles (2253 km) Armament: B-26B: Six 0.5 in. Brownings M.G. in nose Two 0.5 in. Brownings M.G. in dorsal turret Two 0.5 in. Brownings M.G. in ventral turret B-26C: Two 0.5 in. Brownings M.G. in nose Two 0.5 in. Brownings M.G. in dorsal turret Two 0.5 in. Brownings M.G. in ventral turret B-26K: Various configurations with up to eight 0.5 in. Browning M.G or four 20mm cannon Three 0.3 in. M.G. in each wing Bomb Load: B-26B 4,000 kb (1814 kg) internally Supplemented in later version with wing racks for up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) of ordnance. B-26K (A-26A/On Mark Invader) 8,000 kb (3629 kg) total bomb load between internal bay and wing racks. |
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Comments: This beautiful and versatile
aircraft is unusual in a number of areas. It's one of only a handful aircraft
that were concieved, designed, developed, produced in quantity and used in
large numbers all during World War II. With the end of World War II few people
would have been able to predict that the Invader would still be in combat two
decades later and some aircraft are still flying today. Over 450 saw service in
the Korean conflict and some of these were later rebuilt by On Mark Aviation
into the B-26K in the earlier 60's. These rebuilt aircraft saw extensive use in
Vietnam in the ground attack and interdiction roles. In 1948 the seed of later confusion occured when the B-26 Marauder was retired. All remaining Invaders were redesignated B-26 Invaders. This designation remained until the Vietnam war. The U.S.A.F. wanted to base B-26K Invaders in Thailand but found resistance in the Thai government who did not want bombers operating from there territory. The B-26K were redesignated as A-26As, and being classifed as attack aircraft were acceptable to the Thai government. The Invader found a productive civilian life as executive transports and later as firebombers. The firebombers were still in use in the late 80's in Canada. And several aircraft continue to fly as Warbirds today. |
| Image 1 - A gun
nose invader recieving maintenance. Image 2 - Aircraft going down with wing destroyed. Image 3 - Invader with wing gun packs Image 4 - Another Invader with wing gun packs. |
Image 5 - A
Counter-Invader in flight. Image 6 - A civilian Invader (Sprayer). Image 7 - A civilian invader (Executive Transport). Image 8 - Warbird - Sugarland Express. |
Sources:
Gunston, Bill - The Encyclodepia of the Worlds Combat aircraft, 1976, Chartwell Books, Inc., New York
