44-34586

A-26B-61 Invader
File:.jpg
Builders: Douglas Aircraft Company
Operators: United States Air Force
Number Built:
First Built: Jun 1945
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Type: Light Attack Bomber
Wet Weight: 31,000 lbs
Length: 50' 9" (with guns) 49' 11" (without guns)
Height: 18' 6" (5.64 m)
Wingspan: 70' (21.34 m)
Wing Area: 540 Sq. Feet (50.17 m²)
Speed: 212 mph
Max Speed: 370 mph
Ceiling: 31,300 feet
Powerplant: 2x Ford R-2800-79
Horsepower: 2,000 each
Fuel Capacity: 1,600 US Gallons
Range:
Crew: 3
Passengers: 1
ARMAMENT
Nose Guns: 8x .50 Machine Guns
Dorsal Turret: 2x .50 Machine Guns
Ventral Turret: Reserve Fuel Tank
Wings: 3x .50 Machine Guns per wing Under-wing rocket mounts
Payload: 4,000 lbs internal 2,000 lbs wing points
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This plane was the XA-26F Prototype.

Operational History

unknown

Accidents

Unknown

Crew

Unknown

Disposition

Unknown.

Images

The plane went through several test versions, including with guns and without. We have attempted to put these photos in approximate order based on the fuselage details. Some photos show the plane with a clean side fuselage, these photos came first, prior to 1946. In late 1945 the Air Force introduced the "Buzz Number" system and A-26s were coded with "AC" numbers on the side of the plane, so these photos come next. When the A-26 was re-designated as the B-26 in 1948 the "AC" buzz number became a "BC" buzz number. Another clue is the USAF Roundel. The solid white stripe with the blue border came into use in 1943 and the red stripe was added to the "wings" of the roundel on 14 Jan 1947, so any photos with the red stripe must come after that date. Based on this information, an approximate timeline is established.

Early XA-26F Photos (Pre-1946):

XA-26F between 1946 and 1948:
I'm putting this photo in order here and estimating the year as 1946. The roundel is still the old 1943 style, but if you look in the background, the plane beside the XA-26F is wearing a Buzz Code, so clearly those were introduced by this point, even if the XA-26F isn't wearing one yet.

This photo was taken after the red strip was introduced in mid-Jan 1947, but before the plane's designation was changed to "B-26" in 1948.

XA-26F after 1948:
Note that after the designation was changed to BC, the XA-26F prototype underwent some changes; the 4-blade propeller was replaced with the 3-blade propeller, and all of the guns, including the internal wing guns, were removed from the plane.