A-26 Invader

First flown in 1942, the Douglas A-26 Invader (after 1948, the B-26, and after 1966, the A-26A) was a twin-engined light attack bomber aircraft built during World War II and seeing service in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. A limited number of highly modified aircraft served in combat until 1969. The last A-26 was retired from service in 1972 by the National Guard Bureau and given to the National Air and Space Museum. The US Navy also used a small number of these aircraft in their utility squadrons for target towing and general utility use. The Navy designation was JD-1 and JD-1D until 1962, when the JD-1 was redisgnated UB-26J and the JD-1D was redesignated DB-26J.

Design

The A-26 was an unusual design for an attack bomber of that period, as it was designed as a single pilot airplane. The traditional co-pilot's seat did not have flight controls. Instead, a crew person who served as a navigator and bombardier sat in that position. The A-26 was originally built in two different configurations: the A-26B had a solid nose, which normally housed six or eight .50 caliber machine guns, while the A-26C's glass nose contained a Norden bombsight and was used for medium altitude precision bombing. Some aircraft were armed with additional guns in their wings, giving some configurations as many as fourteen .50 caliber machine guns fixed forward.

Service

In the 1960's, Invaders provided by Intermountain Airlines were flown by Cuban exiles during the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. CIA mercenary pilots in the Congo also flew them against "Simba" rebels who were supported by the Chinese and Soviets.

During the early phase of the Vietnam War, the On Mark Engineering Company from Van Nuys, California was selected by the Air Force to extensively upgrade the Invader for a Counter Insurgency role. On Mark converted 40 Invaders to the new B-26K Counter Invader standard, which included things like upgraded engines, re-manufactured wings, and wing tip fuel tanks. In May 1966, the B-26K was re-designated A-26A and deployed in Thailand to help disrupt supplies moving along the Ho Chi Minh trail.

After military service, many A-26 aircraft were converted to "water bombers" and used to fight forest fires in the United States and Canada. Still other A-26 aircraft were converted to executive transport aircraft and were used into the 1990s.

Two A-26's were used in the 1989 Steven Spielberg film, "Always", as fire bombers. The flying for the movie was performed by well known movie pilot Steve Hinton and the owner of the A-26's, Dennis Lynch.

Operators

* Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Indonesia, Laos, Nicaragua, Peru, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Kingdom (two aircraft only), United States (Army Air Force, Air Force, Navy)

Specifications (A-26B-60-DL Invader)

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