B-26K - Revision history

WikiSysop: /* Disposal of Planes */

2022-09-03T03:42:27Z

Disposal of Planes

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:42, 3 September 2022
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	Many of the secondary sources have several airframes listed as scrapped in December 1972. These planes were at the Davis-Monthan AFB storage yard when the planes were declared excess on 15 Dec 1972 and were authorized to be scrapped. However, in examining the records at Davis-Monthan it reveals that 11 planes were sold to [[Allied Aircraft, Inc]] of Tucson, AZ between March and May 1976 and a 10th plane was sold to them in 1980. There is no record of what became of these planes, but based on the details surrounding [[64-17660]] I can only assume that Allied scrapped them after acquiring them.		Many of the secondary sources have several airframes listed as scrapped in December 1972. These planes were at the Davis-Monthan AFB storage yard when the planes were declared excess on 15 Dec 1972 and were authorized to be scrapped. However, in examining the records at Davis-Monthan it reveals that 11 planes were sold to [[Allied Aircraft, Inc]] of Tucson, AZ between March and May 1976 and a 10th plane was sold to them in 1980. There is no record of what became of these planes, but based on the details surrounding [[64-17660]] I can only assume that Allied scrapped them after acquiring them.

	An expert on the Davis-Monthan storage facility provided me with additional details. "Most of the B-26K's in MASDC were transferred to DPDS (Defense Property Disposal Service), date unknown, then offered at auction by the local DPDO (Defense Property Disposal Office) as item 22 of sale 41-6094, 17 SEP 1975. Item 22 consisted of [[64-~~176647~~]], [[64-17649]], [[64-17658]], [[64-17660]], [[64-17661]], [[64-17664]], [[64-17665]], [[64-17670]], [[64-17675]], and [[64-17678]] (10 aircraft). [[64-17655]] was offered at auction as item 1 of DPDO sale 41-9244, 16 MAY 1979. Sale numbers were quite often prefixed IFB (Invitation For Bid). These eleven aircraft were sold to Allied Aircraft, and with the sales ending 17 SEP 1975 and 16 MAY 1979, it follows that they were acquired on those dates. They were almost certainly removed to Allied's premises at 5657 South Wilmot Road, Tucson, or possibly to 'Bob's Air Park', another Allied site at 6001 South Wilmot Road, Tucson."<ref>Correspondence with Vesto Haas - 25 Aug 2022</br>		An expert on the Davis-Monthan storage facility provided me with additional details. "Most of the B-26K's in MASDC were transferred to DPDS (Defense Property Disposal Service), date unknown, then offered at auction by the local DPDO (Defense Property Disposal Office) as item 22 of sale 41-6094, 17 SEP 1975. Item 22 consisted of [[64-17647]], [[64-17649]], [[64-17658]], [[64-17660]], [[64-17661]], [[64-17664]], [[64-17665]], [[64-17670]], [[64-17675]], and [[64-17678]] (10 aircraft). [[64-17655]] was offered at auction as item 1 of DPDO sale 41-9244, 16 MAY 1979. Sale numbers were quite often prefixed IFB (Invitation For Bid). These eleven aircraft were sold to Allied Aircraft, and with the sales ending 17 SEP 1975 and 16 MAY 1979, it follows that they were acquired on those dates. They were almost certainly removed to Allied's premises at 5657 South Wilmot Road, Tucson, or possibly to 'Bob's Air Park', another Allied site at 6001 South Wilmot Road, Tucson."<ref>Correspondence with Vesto Haas - 25 Aug 2022</br>

	=Units=		=Units=

WikiSysop: /* Disposal of Planes */

2022-09-03T03:42:15Z

Disposal of Planes

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:42, 3 September 2022
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	==Disposal of Planes==		==Disposal of Planes==
	Many of the secondary sources have several airframes listed as scrapped in December 1972. These planes were at the Davis-Monthan AFB storage yard when the planes were declared excess on 15 Dec 1972 and were authorized to be scrapped. However, in examining the records at Davis-Monthan it reveals that 9 planes were sold to [[Allied Aircraft, Inc]] of Tucson, AZ between March and May 1976 and a 10th plane was sold to them in 1980. There is no record of what became of these planes, but based on the details surrounding [[64-17660]] I can only assume that Allied scrapped them after acquiring them.		Many of the secondary sources have several airframes listed as scrapped in December 1972. These planes were at the Davis-Monthan AFB storage yard when the planes were declared excess on 15 Dec 1972 and were authorized to be scrapped. However, in examining the records at Davis-Monthan it reveals that 11 planes were sold to [[Allied Aircraft, Inc]] of Tucson, AZ between March and May 1976 and a 10th plane was sold to them in 1980. There is no record of what became of these planes, but based on the details surrounding [[64-17660]] I can only assume that Allied scrapped them after acquiring them.

			An expert on the Davis-Monthan storage facility provided me with additional details. "Most of the B-26K's in MASDC were transferred to DPDS (Defense Property Disposal Service), date unknown, then offered at auction by the local DPDO (Defense Property Disposal Office) as item 22 of sale 41-6094, 17 SEP 1975. Item 22 consisted of [[64-176647]], [[64-17649]], [[64-17658]], [[64-17660]], [[64-17661]], [[64-17664]], [[64-17665]], [[64-17670]], [[64-17675]], and [[64-17678]] (10 aircraft). [[64-17655]] was offered at auction as item 1 of DPDO sale 41-9244, 16 MAY 1979. Sale numbers were quite often prefixed IFB (Invitation For Bid). These eleven aircraft were sold to Allied Aircraft, and with the sales ending 17 SEP 1975 and 16 MAY 1979, it follows that they were acquired on those dates. They were almost certainly removed to Allied's premises at 5657 South Wilmot Road, Tucson, or possibly to 'Bob's Air Park', another Allied site at 6001 South Wilmot Road, Tucson."<ref>Correspondence with Vesto Haas - 25 Aug 2022</br>

	=Units=		=Units=

WikiSysop at 00:09, 25 June 2022

2022-06-25T00:09:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:09, 25 June 2022
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	=Background=		=Background=
			Watch our video on the background and development of the B-26K here: https://youtu.be/5C7l8lC4nQ4

	During the mid-1950s, B-26-equipped USAF wings began to be re-equipped with jet-powered Martin B-57 and Douglas B-66 aircraft, and the Invaders were removed from front-line service. However, during the 1960s the [[1st Air Commando Wing]] at [[Eglin AFB]] in Florida continued to use B-26s in order to develop counter-insurgency techniques and tactics. In addition, some B-26s were operating clandestinely in South Vietnam, supposedly serving with the South Vietnamese air force, but actually flown by American aircrews.		During the mid-1950s, B-26-equipped USAF wings began to be re-equipped with jet-powered Martin B-57 and Douglas B-66 aircraft, and the Invaders were removed from front-line service. However, during the 1960s the [[1st Air Commando Wing]] at [[Eglin AFB]] in Florida continued to use B-26s in order to develop counter-insurgency techniques and tactics. In addition, some B-26s were operating clandestinely in South Vietnam, supposedly serving with the South Vietnamese air force, but actually flown by American aircrews.

WikiSysop: /* Development */

2021-02-10T21:25:34Z

Development

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 10 February 2021
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	[[File:B-26K Engine.jpg\|600px]]<br>		[[File:B-26K Engine.jpg\|600px]]<br>
	The Counter Invader was powered by a pair of 2500 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-103W water-injected engines driving a set of fully-reversible automatic feathering propellers. The wings were entirely rebuilt and strengthened by the installation of steel straps on the top and bottom of the spars. The rudder was enlarged to improve single-engine handling. Permanent 165 US gallon wingtip fuel tanks were installed. An anti-skid wheel braking system was adopted. Deicer boots and anti-icing equipment was added. The instrument panel was revised and provision for dual controls was made. New electronic equipment was adopted. Eight new underwing pylons were added for a variety of external stores. The dorsal and ventral defensive turrets were eliminated, and fixed armament consisted of a set of eight 0.50-inch forward-firing machine guns in the nose. Alternatively, the aircraft could be fitted with a glazed nose for photographic reconnaissance.		The Counter Invader was powered by a pair of 2500 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-103W water-injected engines driving a set of fully-reversible automatic feathering propellers. The wings were entirely rebuilt and strengthened by the installation of steel straps on the top and bottom of the spars. The rudder was enlarged to improve single-engine handling. Permanent 165 US gallon wingtip fuel tanks were installed. An anti-skid wheel braking system was adopted. Deicer boots and anti-icing equipment was added. The instrument panel was revised and provision for dual controls was made. New electronic equipment was adopted. Eight new underwing pylons were added for a variety of external stores. The dorsal and ventral defensive turrets were eliminated, and fixed armament consisted of a set of eight 0.50-inch forward-firing machine guns in the nose. Alternatively, the aircraft could be fitted with a glazed nose for photographic reconnaissance.

			Among the other changes incorporated to the B-26K variant were updated cockpits. Many of the dials and displays were updated, the weapons switches were updated, additional instrumentation was added on the Navigator's side, and a secondary control yoke was fitted to the cockpit to allow flight from either seat. <br>
			[[File:B26K Cockpit.jpg\|300px]] [[File:B-26K cockpit.jpg\|300px]] [[File:B26K Cockpit addon.jpg\|300px]]


	The first modified Counter Invader was built from RB-26C [[44-35634]]. It had been converted into a B-26B in August of 1961 and employed as a squadron "hack". This aircraft was transferred to On Mark in October of 1962. When the work was completed, the aircraft was re-designated [[YB-26K]]. Contrary to some published sources, it was NOT assigned the new serial number 63-5634--the number 35634 painted on the aircraft were simply the last 5 digits of its original serial number. It flew for the first time on January 28, 1963. It was delivered to the 1st Air Commando Wing at Hurlburt for evaluation in June of 1963.		The first modified Counter Invader was built from RB-26C [[44-35634]]. It had been converted into a B-26B in August of 1961 and employed as a squadron "hack". This aircraft was transferred to On Mark in October of 1962. When the work was completed, the aircraft was re-designated [[YB-26K]]. Contrary to some published sources, it was NOT assigned the new serial number 63-5634--the number 35634 painted on the aircraft were simply the last 5 digits of its original serial number. It flew for the first time on January 28, 1963. It was delivered to the 1st Air Commando Wing at Hurlburt for evaluation in June of 1963.

WikiSysop: /* Weapons */

2021-02-10T19:46:44Z

Weapons

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:46, 10 February 2021
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	[[File:B26K Bombs.jpg\|300px]]		[[File:B26K Bombs.jpg\|300px]]


			===Miscellaneous Weapons===
			This imposing photo shows a B-26K model with an early paint job carrying a full load of weapons, including napalm, rockets, and bombs. That loadout rules out this plane as being on of the Congo aircraft of Anstalt Wingmo as no bombs or napalm were authorized in the Congo. It is also not a Vietnam era plane due to the wrong paint scheme. It could be from the 605th Air Commando Squadron in Panama, but our guess is that it is most likely from the [[603rd Air Commando Squadron]] and probably conducting a live fire training.<br>
			[[File:B-26K Fully Armed.jpg\|600px]]

	In total, the B-26K could carry any of the following equipment: <br>		In total, the B-26K could carry any of the following equipment: <br>

WikiSysop: /* Development */

2021-02-10T19:36:42Z

Development

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:36, 10 February 2021
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	=Development=		=Development=
			[[File:B-26K Engine.jpg\|600px]]<br>
	The Counter Invader was powered by a pair of 2500 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-103W water-injected engines driving a set of fully-reversible automatic feathering propellers. The wings were entirely rebuilt and strengthened by the installation of steel straps on the top and bottom of the spars. The rudder was enlarged to improve single-engine handling. Permanent 165 US gallon wingtip fuel tanks were installed. An anti-skid wheel braking system was adopted. Deicer boots and anti-icing equipment was added. The instrument panel was revised and provision for dual controls was made. New electronic equipment was adopted. Eight new underwing pylons were added for a variety of external stores. The dorsal and ventral defensive turrets were eliminated, and fixed armament consisted of a set of eight 0.50-inch forward-firing machine guns in the nose. Alternatively, the aircraft could be fitted with a glazed nose for photographic reconnaissance.		The Counter Invader was powered by a pair of 2500 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-103W water-injected engines driving a set of fully-reversible automatic feathering propellers. The wings were entirely rebuilt and strengthened by the installation of steel straps on the top and bottom of the spars. The rudder was enlarged to improve single-engine handling. Permanent 165 US gallon wingtip fuel tanks were installed. An anti-skid wheel braking system was adopted. Deicer boots and anti-icing equipment was added. The instrument panel was revised and provision for dual controls was made. New electronic equipment was adopted. Eight new underwing pylons were added for a variety of external stores. The dorsal and ventral defensive turrets were eliminated, and fixed armament consisted of a set of eight 0.50-inch forward-firing machine guns in the nose. Alternatively, the aircraft could be fitted with a glazed nose for photographic reconnaissance.

	The first modified Counter Invader was built from RB-26C [[44-35634]]. It had been converted into a B-26B in August of 1961 and employed as a squadron "hack". This aircraft was transferred to On Mark in October of 1962. When the work was completed, the aircraft was ~~redesignated~~ [[YB-26K]]. Contrary to some published sources, it was NOT assigned the new serial number 63-5634--the number 35634 painted on the aircraft were simply the last 5 digits of its original serial number. It flew for the first time on January 28, 1963. It was delivered to the 1st Air Commando Wing at Hurlburt for evaluation in June of 1963.		The first modified Counter Invader was built from RB-26C [[44-35634]]. It had been converted into a B-26B in August of 1961 and employed as a squadron "hack". This aircraft was transferred to On Mark in October of 1962. When the work was completed, the aircraft was re-designated [[YB-26K]]. Contrary to some published sources, it was NOT assigned the new serial number 63-5634--the number 35634 painted on the aircraft were simply the last 5 digits of its original serial number. It flew for the first time on January 28, 1963. It was delivered to the 1st Air Commando Wing at Hurlburt for evaluation in June of 1963.

	Following the completion of test flights, the USAF ordered 40 B-26Ks modified to similar standards. Most of the aircraft selected for conversion were B-26Bs or TB-26Bs, with just two B-26Cs and a single JB-26C. They were assigned the new serial numbers 64-17640 through 64-17679. The B-26Ks differed from the YB-26K primarily in having 2500hp R-2800-52W engines in place of the R-2800-103Ws. The propeller spinners were omitted and the six wing guns were deleted. The B-26K could carry 4000 pounds of bombs internally, plus up to 8000 pounds on the underwing racks. Besides the fixed wingtip tanks, two 230-gallon drop tanks or a 675-gallon bay tank could be carried. These changes increased the maximum cruising speed from 240 to 265 knots, the combat radius from 210 to 500 nautical miles, and increased the armament load from 7500 to 12,000 pounds. There were significant improvements in rate of climb and service ceiling. However, the aircraft was somewhat less stable than the original B-26 and it was no longer possible to trim it for hands-off flight.		Following the completion of test flights, the USAF ordered 40 B-26Ks modified to similar standards. Most of the aircraft selected for conversion were B-26Bs or TB-26Bs, with just two B-26Cs and a single JB-26C. They were assigned the new serial numbers 64-17640 through 64-17679. The B-26Ks differed from the YB-26K primarily in having 2500hp R-2800-52W engines in place of the R-2800-103Ws. The propeller spinners were omitted and the six wing guns were deleted. The B-26K could carry 4000 pounds of bombs internally, plus up to 8000 pounds on the underwing racks. Besides the fixed wingtip tanks, two 230-gallon drop tanks or a 675-gallon bay tank could be carried. These changes increased the maximum cruising speed from 240 to 265 knots, the combat radius from 210 to 500 nautical miles, and increased the armament load from 7500 to 12,000 pounds. There were significant improvements in rate of climb and service ceiling. However, the aircraft was somewhat less stable than the original B-26 and it was no longer possible to trim it for hands-off flight.

WikiSysop: /* Development */

2021-02-10T19:28:35Z

Development

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:28, 10 February 2021
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	Several of the Invaders being converted to the B-26K variant at the [[OnMark Engineering Company]].<br>		Several of the Invaders being converted to the B-26K variant at the [[OnMark Engineering Company]].<br>
	[[File:Conversion OnMark.jpg\|600px]]		[[File:Conversion OnMark.jpg\|600px]]

			This photo shows [[44-35608]] being converted into [[64-17660]] in the summer of 1964. <br>
			[[File:44-35608 being converted into 64-17660.jpg\|600px]]<br>

	[[File:A-26A graphic.jpg\|600px]]<br>		[[File:A-26A graphic.jpg\|600px]]<br>

WikiSysop: /* Southeast Asia */

2021-02-09T15:36:13Z

Southeast Asia

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:36, 9 February 2021
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	[[File:Vietnam Map.jpg\|400px]]		[[File:Vietnam Map.jpg\|400px]]

	Most of the A-26A combat missions over Laos were interdiction missions flown at night, the North Vietnamese antiaircraft defenses that were installed along the Ho Chi Minh Trail making it too dangerous to fly slow-moving aircraft such as the piston-engined A-26A over the area during the day. The primary targets were truck traffic along the Trail. Sometimes the A-26As were equipped with AN/PVS2 Starlight scopes for enhanced nighttime visibility. Most of the time they were equipped with solid noses, but a few missions were flown with glass noses. By December 1966, the A-26As had claimed a total of 99 ~~trunks~~ destroyed or damaged. At the end of December, the aircraft were reassigned to the [[634th Combat Support Group]] at Nakhon Phanom. In April of 1967, the A-26As were officially transferred over to the [[609th Air Commando Squadron]], which was part of the newly-formed [[56th Air Commando Wing]].		Most of the A-26A combat missions over Laos were interdiction missions flown at night, the North Vietnamese antiaircraft defenses that were installed along the Ho Chi Minh Trail making it too dangerous to fly slow-moving aircraft such as the piston-engined A-26A over the area during the day. The primary targets were truck traffic along the Trail. Sometimes the A-26As were equipped with AN/PVS2 Starlight scopes for enhanced nighttime visibility. Most of the time they were equipped with solid noses, but a few missions were flown with glass noses. By December 1966, the A-26As had claimed a total of 99 trucks destroyed or damaged. At the end of December, the aircraft were reassigned to the [[634th Combat Support Group]] at Nakhon Phanom. In April of 1967, the A-26As were officially transferred over to the [[609th Air Commando Squadron]], which was part of the newly-formed [[56th Air Commando Wing]].

	The A-26A could carry a maximum of 8000 pounds underneath the wings plus 4000 pounds internally. However, the actual load carried on combat missions was usually somewhat less in order to gain maneuverability and to reduce stress loads. A typical underwing load was a pair of SUU-025 flare dispensers, two LAU-3A rocket pods, and four CBU-14 cluster bomb units. Later, the rockets and flares were often replaced by 500 lb BLU-23 or 750 lb BLU-37 finned napalm bombs. The M31 and M32 incendiary clusters could also be carried, as well as M34 and M35 incendiary bombs, M1A4 fragmentation clusters, M47 white phosphorus bombs, and CBU-24, -25, -29, and -49 cluster bomb units. General-purpose bombs such as the 250-lb MK-81, the 500-lb MK-82, and 750-lb M117 could also be carried.		The A-26A could carry a maximum of 8000 pounds underneath the wings plus 4000 pounds internally. However, the actual load carried on combat missions was usually somewhat less in order to gain maneuverability and to reduce stress loads. A typical underwing load was a pair of SUU-025 flare dispensers, two LAU-3A rocket pods, and four CBU-14 cluster bomb units. Later, the rockets and flares were often replaced by 500 lb BLU-23 or 750 lb BLU-37 finned napalm bombs. The M31 and M32 incendiary clusters could also be carried, as well as M34 and M35 incendiary bombs, M1A4 fragmentation clusters, M47 white phosphorus bombs, and CBU-24, -25, -29, and -49 cluster bomb units. General-purpose bombs such as the 250-lb MK-81, the 500-lb MK-82, and 750-lb M117 could also be carried.
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	This image by renowned aviation artist, Harley Copic, depicts the A-26A during it's height of operations in Vietnam. <br>		This image by renowned aviation artist, Harley Copic, depicts the A-26A during it's height of operations in Vietnam. <br>
	[[File:Scan0148.jpg\|400px]]		[[File:Scan0148.jpg\|400px]]

			During more than 2 years of operation, the [[609th Special Operations Squadron]] flew 7,159 combat sorties for a total of 19,762.7 combat flying hours. During this period, the Nimrods were credited with destroying 4,268 trucks and damaging 696 more. The Nimrods also destroyed 201 enemy gun emplacements and silenced an additional 696. The extremely high truck kill record, averaged slightly better than 1 truck destroyed or damaged for each one and one-half sortie flown. This was significantly higher than any other weapon system currently in use in the Southeast Asian Theater.

	==Retirement==		==Retirement==

WikiSysop: /* Southeast Asia */

2021-02-09T15:31:47Z

Southeast Asia

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:31, 9 February 2021
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	==Southeast Asia==		==Southeast Asia==
	In the spring of 1966, it was decided to deploy B-26Ks to Southeast Asia in an attempt to stem the flow of war material down the Ho Chi Minh trail from North Vietnam via Laos. Since northeastern Thailand was much closer to the intended area of operations in southern Laos, the US Government obtained permission for the Invaders to be stationed there rather than in South Vietnam. However, during the mid-1960s, Thailand did not permit the basing of bombers on its territory, and so in May 1966 the aircraft were reassigned the old attack designation of A-26A, thus bringing the Invader full-circle. Some people mistakenly call this renamed plane the A-26K, but this is not correct as there was never an A-26K. When The B-26K was renamed as an ~~Assault~~ class it took A-26A because the A slot had never been officially used; the XA-26A was not accepted for production.		In the spring of 1966, it was decided to deploy B-26Ks to Southeast Asia in an attempt to stem the flow of war material down the Ho Chi Minh trail from North Vietnam via Laos. Since northeastern Thailand was much closer to the intended area of operations in southern Laos, the US Government obtained permission for the Invaders to be stationed there rather than in South Vietnam. However, during the mid-1960s, Thailand did not permit the basing of bombers on its territory, and so in May 1966 the aircraft were reassigned the old attack designation of A-26A, thus bringing the Invader full-circle. Some people mistakenly call this renamed plane the A-26K, but this is not correct as there was never an A-26K. When The B-26K was renamed as an Attack class it took A-26A because the A slot had never been officially used; the XA-26A was not accepted for production.

	An unknown A-26A is being ferried over the Pacific, coming from or going to combat in Asia. Note the under wing fuel tanks beside the engines. <br>		An unknown A-26A is being ferried over the Pacific, coming from or going to combat in Asia. Note the under wing fuel tanks beside the engines. <br>

WikiSysop: /* Official Missions */

2021-02-09T03:43:13Z

Official Missions

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:43, 9 February 2021
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	==Official Missions==		==Official Missions==
	The rest of the B-26Ks not in a secret op in the Congo spent the first couple of years of their service on training units in the USA and in Central America. In mid-December of 1965, the B-26 training program moved from Hurlburt Field (Eglin AFB), Florida to England AFB, Louisiana and the Invader unit changed its name to the [[603rd Fighter Squadron]], which was subsequently renamed the [[603rd Air Commando Squadron]].		The rest of the B-26Ks not in a secret op in the Congo spent the first couple of years of their service on training units in the USA and in Central America. In mid-December of 1965, the B-26 training program moved from Hurlburt Field (Eglin AFB), Florida to England AFB, Louisiana and the Invader unit changed its name to the [[603rd Fighter Squadron]], which was subsequently renamed the [[603rd Air Commando Squadron]].<br>
			[[File:603rd Plane dropping practice bomb.jpg\|400px]]

	==Southeast Asia==		==Southeast Asia==