List of 3D Models
I wanted to create this page because I am looking for a high quality, 3D model of an A-26 Invader for a couple of different projects that I am working on. In my search to find a suitable model I ran across many for sale, some of which are better than others. I thought it might be useful to point out the errors in each of the models in case someone else is looking for the same thing. I am not affiliated with these 3D modelers in any way. Eventually the IHF will be releasing our own 3D model.
Since many of these models are sold on multiple platforms, they will be listed here by their creator/vendor's name.
Dreamscape Studios
Dreamscape Studios is a professional 3D modelling agency operated out of the US and founded by Rick Johnston.
In terms of overall shape and size, this model appears to be largely accurate. The wireframe image on the site they provide is useless, so I've used a rendered image. They offer 3 main variants: the 8 gun nose, the glass nose, and the K model. While the overall structure is largely correct, the textures and paint schemes leave a lot to be desired. The textures on these models are not highly detailed or realistic. The paint schemes are all almost entirely fictional. I did email Rick and ask him about the paint schemes. Rick said: "Most of the paint schemes are taken from actual aircraft and time periods like WWII Korean War, Vietnam era but some were taken from blurry photos and are not exact. Anyone of them should be good for animations of a period event however." On that point, I disagree. There are currently 13 models sold by Dreamscape. I'll list each one below and explain what's wrong with it. If you end up using these models, I would recommend new textures for it, but you can decide that based on the details below.
A-26B V04 USAAF
This plane is finished in an overall grey with red wing tips and red and white engine cowls. It wears pre-1947 USAAF roundels and bears K-E7 on the nose and E7 on the tail. The numbers 439468 appear on the tail.
The K-E7/E7 markings would make this an Invader assigned to the Kellogg Army Airfield training base. That type of arrangement is accurate for this plane. However, none of the plane at Kellogg ever wore red paint. In fact, no A-26s that I have ever seen have ever worn red paint in this pattern, so that would be a problem. These planes were unfinished aluminum, not grey. But that's a slight difference. The numbers on the tail are totally wrong. They are serial number 44-39468, which is not any real serial number. USAAF serials 44-39299 through 44-40048 were cancelled.
A-26C Brazil
Honestly, the paint job on this one is pretty close. This is a scheme that Brazil used on their A-26s when they first got them. The main differences are the tail and the nose. On the Brazilian invaders, the small serial number and Brazilian flag that are on the model are not present. The real Brazil invaders in this scheme, under the large number, say "B-26C" or "B-26B" and then their 4 digit Brazil serial number, 5160 is one example in my photos. On the nose, it's the last two digits of the serial number, 60 in my earlier example, and the squadron insignia.
A-26B Australia
This model depicts a two-tone OD green and grey scheme with white numbers on the nose and the Australian kangaroo roundel. This roundel was adopted by the Australians in 1956. While the US Air Force did sell surplus A-26s to other countries after WWII, there are no records that Australia ever operated any A-26s in any capacity.
A-26B UK
This model is painted in a green and grey scheme. It bears the RAF roundel on the fuselage and the French AF roundel on the wings. The UK did operate 3x bare metal invaders for testing,
File404
This 3D modeler goes by an alias, File404. It doesn't list their real name.
In terms of shape, the only real problem with this model is the wings are too low on the fuselage. In the wireframe view it's easier to see this. This modeler put the wings in the middle of the fuselage, but in reality they sit higher up. Other than that, this is a pretty accurate model. And the textures are highly detailed.
File404 offers several A-26 versions:
-13th Bomb Squadron, Korean 6 gun nose
-A-26C "Guns for Hire" civil warbird
-B-26K Counter-Invader (which they incorrectly list as an A-26K)
-A-26B "Dragon Lady", Airspray 36 Firebomber
-A26B Fire Eaters Firebomber
