Douglas A-26 Invader

The Douglas A-26 Invader was an attack aircraft and light bomber in service with the US Air Force between 1943 and 1957. Despite its role of a ground-attack warplane, it scored nine air-to-air victories during World War II. From 1945 onward, it would be used as staff transport and target tug. In 1948, it would be re-designated as B-26; as such, it flew many combat missions in Korea, too. It was also used by the French Air Force during the French-Indochina War (1946-1954).

The Douglas A-26 Invader had been designed by Edward Heinemann in early 1942, resembling very much the A-20 Havoc, which was also a light bomber and attack aircraft. The prototype, XA-26, #41-19504, made its maiden flight on July 10, 1942, entering service with the US Army Air Forces in October 1943 as the A-26B version. By this time, the night-fighter variant of the aircraft had been cancelled as it was not as efficient as the Northrop P-61 Black Widow, which was more maneuverable.

Below, top view of an A-26B variant, with silver paint, in flight in early 1945, over Germany.

The Douglas A-26 was used in combat for the first time in August 1944 in New Guinea, attacking Japanese ground targets. In September 1944, the USAAF 553rd Bomb Squadron received the first 18 A-26Bs. In the European Theater, the Invader flew 11,567 combat sorties, dropping more than 18,000 tons of bombs. One aircraft was even credited with a Messerschmitt Me-262 kill. The USAAF bomb groups employed Invaders to strike enemy targets in Okinawa, Formosan, and mainland Japan.

Technical Characteristics

The Douglas A-26 Invader was a three-seat, twin-engine monoplane, with all-metal fuselage. It had dihedral, cantilever, high-mid wing. The cockpit was wider than the one on the A-20 Havoc as the pilot and navigator could sit side by side. The A-26C version was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-79 Double Wasp, 18-cylinder, radial engine, each delivering 2,000 horsepower.

Armament

The Douglas A-26B variant had six 12.7-mm (.50-cal) M2 Browning machine guns set up in its nose, plus two 12.7-mm in dorsal turret, and other two 12.7-mm machine guns in turret on belly of aircraft. This warplane had an internal bomb-bay, which had a capacity to carry up to 1,814-kg (4,000-pound) of bombs.

Specifications (A-26B)

Type: attack/light bomber

Length: 15.62 m (51 ft, 3 inch)

Wing Span: 21.34 m (70 ft)

Wing Area: 50.17 m2 (540 sq. ft.)

Height: 5.57 m (18 ft, 3 inch)

Powerplant: two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27, air-cooled radial piston engines.

Maximum Speed: 572 km/h (355 mph)

Range: 2,255 km (1,400 miles)

Service Ceiling: 6,735 m (22,100 ft)

Crew: 3 (pilot, navigator, gunner)

Below, the XA-26 prototype in September 1942.

The A-26C parked by the side of a USAF base in California in 1946.

Below, a restored Invader in an open museum in Colorado.

Below, an echelon of three Douglas JD-1, which was the US Navy version of the Invader.

The Douglas A-26 Invader in action (video)