Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>A-26>HA3222

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

The RoCAF 34th Squadron "Black Cats" was activated and equipped with B-26 Invaders whose prime purpose was low-altitude night reconnaissance over mainland China. These missions not only included photography but included dropping spies into China to collect sensitive data about China's military. There 838 of these missions and the operation was considered a success despite the loss of 15 aircraft and 148 aircrew. B-26 # 844 originally was USAF A-26C 44-35444 and was one of the aircraft involved in these missions. The RoCAF 34th Squadron was disbanded in 1974.

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