The A-26 Invader was first flown in July 1942 but design problems and equipment shortages delayed introduction to combat until 1944. It was built in 2 models, the “B” with a solid nose and the “C” with a glass nose. The Invader was the first bomber to incorporate laminar flow airfoils, slotted flaps and remote control gun turrets. Production ended in 1945 with approximately 2450 aircraft completed.

In 1950 with the onset of the Korean war the Invader was one of the first aircraft to be brought to bear on the enemy. Now designated the B-26, it continued to see action until the end of hostilities in 1953. It was used almost exclusively on night missions. In 1954 it was phased out of the active Air Force inventory.

Starting in late 1961, small numbers of Invaders began arriving in Vietnam, eventually reaching 12 aircraft. The official mission was training Vietnamese pilots but in actuality some combat missions were flown. In 1963 the US Air Force decided to use the B-26 as a counter-insurgency aircraft as there were still many in storage. A contract was let for major rework and modification of 40 aircraft. In April 1965, the last Invader, now designated B-26K, was delivered. It soon was re-designated A-26A for political reasons. Its most distinguishing feature was the addition of 2 165 gallon tip tanks. Dual controls were also added for a copilot. Attrition and a shortage of parts forced the stand down of the last special operation squadron in November 1969.

In addition to the Invaders primary roles of bombing and interdiction, it was modified to accomplish a wide array of other missions. These included reconnaissance, combat insertion, target drone launcher, personnel transport, and weather research. After being declared surplus, many entered civilian service as executive transports and fighting forest fires. Throughout the years, Invaders were used by over 20 foreign governments.

Dimensions

Wingspan: 70 ft 0 in (21.34 m)
Length: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
Height: 18 ft 3 in (5.64 m)
Wing area: 540 sq ft (50 sq m)
Empty weight: 22,370 lb
Loaded / max weight: Originally 27,000 lb; later increased to 35,000 lb with about 38,500 lb maximum overload.

Performance

Maximum speed: 355 mph (308 kn, 570 km/h)
Range: 1,400 mi (1,200 nmi, 2,300 km)
Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
Rate of climb: 1,250 ft/min (6.4 m/s)

Powerplant

Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial piston engines.

Armament

Fixed: Up to eight .50-caliber machine guns in the nose, two .50-caliber guns each in the dorsal and ventral turrets, and six .50-caliber guns in the wings.
Disposable stores: Up to 4,000 lb. of bombs internally and as much as 2,000 lb. under the wings (later up to 6,000 lb. total), with some versions also carrying rockets under the wings.

• Built as an A-26B-15, S/N 41-39303, by Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, California, and delivered to the USAAF on 9 October 1944.

• October 1944: Departed the United States for the 9th Air Force in the European Theater, via Hunter AAF, Georgia.

• July 1945: Returned to the U.S. via Hunter AAF, Georgia.

• December 1945: Assigned to the 4160th AAF Base Unit (Air Materiel Command), Grenada AAF, Mississippi, for storage.

• September 1947: Transferred to the 4135th AAF Base Unit (AMC), Hill AAF, Utah, for storage.

• April 1952: Sent to Ogden Air Materiel Center, Hill AFB, Utah, where it was modified to B-26C standard.

• July 1952: Assigned to the 126th Bombardment (Light) Wing (USAFE), Laon Air Base, France.

• November 1952: Reassigned to the 38th Bombardment (Light) Wing (USAFE), Laon AB, France.

• February 1953: Transferred to the 48th Fighter-Bomber Wing (USAFE), Chaumont AB, France.

• March 1954: Transferred to the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (USAFE), Sembach AB, Germany.

• April 1954: Returned to the 38th Bombardment (Light) Wing (later 38th Bombardment [Tactical] Wing), Laon AB, France.

• June 1956: Sent to the Aircraft Storage Branch (AMC), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.

• December 1956: Assigned to the 1400th Field Maintenance Squadron (MATS), Keflavik Airport, Iceland.

• September 1957: Transferred to Middletown Air Materiel Area, Olmstead AAF, Pennsylvania.

• 1958: Declared surplus and sold into civilian use.

• Final civilian role: operated as a water bomber fighting forest fires.

• Acquired by the Pacific Coast Air Museum in 1992 with the intention of restoring it to flying condition.

• The A-26 Invader is notable as the only U.S. bomber type to see combat in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam