Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>A-26>HA3221

General Background

In 1941 Douglas Aircraft Company began work on their twin-engine medium-bomber A-26 Invader. By the end of production there were 2,452 aircraft produced for all variants. The A- 26/B-26 was the only U.S. bomber to take part in three wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The confusion with the use of the designation B-26 began when the Martin B-26 Marauder was retired and in 1948 the USAF dropped the “A” (Attack) designator so the Douglas A-26 Invader became the B-26 Invader. The A-26 made its first European appearance in late 1944.

The Aircraft

Douglas RB-26C Invader 44-35581 c/n 28860 was manufactured as an A-26C-40-DT. The 363rd TRW was based at Langley AFB but in 1951 moved to Shaw AFB, and became the parent wing. The unit flew the Douglas RB-26C until 1957 when they were replaced by the jet-powered Canberra. In June 1958 44-35581 was sold as surplus and in 1976 was bought by Air Spray Ltd. from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Registered as C-GWJG it became tanker #9 but on July 1, 1982 the aircraft was destroyed in a crash.

Specifications :

Production for the USAAF:	1,091
Role:	Bomber/Pathfinder observation with Plexiglas nose and Norden bomb sight
Crew:	3 X Pilot, Bombardier/Navigator/Pilot, Gunner
Dimensions
Length:	50 ft 9 in
Wingspan:	70 ft 0 in
Height:	18 ft 6 in
Weight:
Empty:	22,370 lbs
Maximum take-off:	35,000 lbs
Performance
Engines:	2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-79 radial piston with water injection each producing 2,000 hp
Maximum speed:	373 mph
Cruising Speed:	284 mph
Range:	1,400 mi
Service Ceiling:	28,000 ft
Armament:	2 X 0.5 in. Browning M.G. in nose firing forward
	2 X 0.5 in. Browning M.G. in dorsal turret
	2 X 0.5 in. Browning M.G. in ventral turret
	6 X 0.5 in. guns could be added to the wings in the field
Bombs	Maximum Internal - 4,000 lbs and
	Maximum Under-Wing – 2,000 lbs or
	14 X 5 inch rockets