Douglas A-26 and B-26 Invader - Revision history

WikiSysop: /* The A-26 in World War II */

2022-08-11T18:38:11Z

The A-26 in World War II

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:38, 11 August 2022
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	Pg 91 - Photo - "An early post-war view of parked Invaders, possibly pathfinders modified by Douglas as the war was ending. These aircraft are equipped with ~~SHDRAN~~ units (note the antenna in place of the dorsal turret and		Pg 91 - Photo - "An early post-war view of parked Invaders, possibly pathfinders modified by Douglas as the war was ending. These aircraft are equipped with SHORAN units (note the antenna in place of the dorsal turret and radar units in the forward bomb bay. The first aircraft is s/n 44-35958. One of the aircraft in the second line bears the inscription 'Join the Regular Army'."
	radar units in the forward bomb bay. The first aircraft is s/n 44-35958. One of the aircraft in the second line bears the inscription 'Join the Regular Army'."

	All of these planes are SHOARN equipped units, as the caption states. The SHORAN planes were all Pathfinders, and the first SHORAN Pathfinder Invaders were being tested in late 1944 in Europe.		All of these planes are SHOARN equipped units, as the caption states. The SHORAN planes were all Pathfinders, and the first SHORAN Pathfinder Invaders were being tested in late 1944 in Europe.

WikiSysop: /* Development & Production */

2022-08-11T18:30:50Z

Development & Production

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:30, 11 August 2022
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	Pg 38 - Photo - "To satisfy the requirements of the Fifth Air Force in the Pacific. the last production A-26Bs were delivered without lower turrets. replaced instead with additional 125gal (473Itr) fuel tanks....These aircraft could mass fourteen .50 calibre guns for strafing attacks and carried another two in turrets...."		Pg 38 - Photo - "To satisfy the requirements of the Fifth Air Force in the Pacific. the last production A-26Bs were delivered without lower turrets. replaced instead with additional 125gal (473Itr) fuel tanks....These aircraft could mass fourteen .50 calibre guns for strafing attacks and carried another two in turrets...."

	The Pacific Invaders were not the last built, they were different versions of the regular Invaders beginning with Production Block 51. The text also says that the plane carried two more guns in turrets, but the plane carried both guns in a single dorsal turret, the ventral turret had been deleted and a fuel tank installed in its place.		The Pacific Invaders were not just the last built, they were different versions of the regular Invaders beginning with Production Block 51. The text also says that the plane carried two more guns in turrets, but the plane carried both guns in a single dorsal turret, the ventral turret had been deleted and a fuel tank installed in its place.

WikiSysop: /* The Civil A-26 and B-26 */

2022-08-10T23:32:00Z

The Civil A-26 and B-26

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	Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory was called Calspan for short. They operated 3 airframes, not two. The two described here were brightly colored red planes with white markings. The 3rd plane was black with gold accents. It was civil registry N237Y (ex-USAF 41-39516). The third plane operated out of Buffalo, NY in 1986.		Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory was called Calspan for short. They operated 3 airframes, not two. The two described here were brightly colored red planes with white markings. The 3rd plane was black with gold accents. It was civil registry N237Y (ex-USAF 41-39516). The third plane operated out of Buffalo, NY in 1986.


			==Production Lists==
			Pg 174 - "18500/18502" , "18504/18506" & "18508/18510"

			There's two small errors in this table. At the line for 18500 it lists 3 aircraft; 18500, 18501, and 18502. However, the corresponding serial number column lists 4 planes; 43-22352, 43-22353, 43-22354, & 43-22355. Two lines down, the Douglas Serial numbers show 18504-18506, 3 aircraft. 43-22355 should be the first in this series. 355, 356, 357. The 43-22358 listed here is erroneous. It should be the first plane under serial number 18508, and you will notice that it is indeed listed again. The table corrects itself after that point, no further errors exist.

WikiSysop: /* The Civil A-26 and B-26 */

2022-08-10T23:19:21Z

The Civil A-26 and B-26

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	==The Civil A-26 and B-26==		==The Civil A-26 and B-26==
			Pg 162 - "The Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, based at Ithica, New York, operated a pair of B-26s modified for aerodynamics research. Both aircraft, N9146I-1 (s/n 44-34165) and N9147H (44-34653), were equipped as variable stability test beds in 1951 and 1963, respectively, and used for airborne research on control force and stability tests."

			Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory was called Calspan for short. They operated 3 airframes, not two. The two described here were brightly colored red planes with white markings. The 3rd plane was black with gold accents. It was civil registry N237Y (ex-USAF 41-39516). The third plane operated out of Buffalo, NY in 1986.

WikiSysop: /* The CIA, the USAF and South-East Asia: Encore */

2022-08-10T23:07:58Z

The CIA, the USAF and South-East Asia: Encore

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	Yes, there were additional planes sent to NKP in December 1966. However, Detachment 1 was not reformed into the 609th. In January 1967, the 5 surviving planes of Detachment 1, along with the new arrivals, were formally assigned to the [[606th Air Commando Squadron]]. The [[609th Air Commando Squadron]] was not formed until August 1967.		Yes, there were additional planes sent to NKP in December 1966. However, Detachment 1 was not reformed into the 609th. In January 1967, the 5 surviving planes of Detachment 1, along with the new arrivals, were formally assigned to the [[606th Air Commando Squadron]]. The [[609th Air Commando Squadron]] was not formed until August 1967.


	==The Civil A-26 and B-26==		==The Civil A-26 and B-26==

WikiSysop: /* The CIA, the USAF and South-East Asia: Encore */

2022-08-10T23:07:52Z

The CIA, the USAF and South-East Asia: Encore

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:07, 10 August 2022
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	Yes, there were additional planes sent to NKP in December 1966. However, Detachment 1 was not reformed into the 609th. In January 1967, the 5 surviving planes of Detachment 1, along with the new arrivals, were formally assigned to the [[606th Air Commando Squadron]]. The [[609th Air Commando Squadron]] was not formed until August 1967.		Yes, there were additional planes sent to NKP in December 1966. However, Detachment 1 was not reformed into the 609th. In January 1967, the 5 surviving planes of Detachment 1, along with the new arrivals, were formally assigned to the [[606th Air Commando Squadron]]. The [[609th Air Commando Squadron]] was not formed until August 1967.


			==The Civil A-26 and B-26==

WikiSysop: /* The CIA, the USAF and South-East Asia: Encore */

2022-08-10T23:07:31Z

The CIA, the USAF and South-East Asia: Encore

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	This is inaccurate. [[64-17678]] was authorized to be reclaimed in Feb 1973, but the plane itself was sold to Allied Aircraft on 9 Apr 1976. Allied had it on the lot for a while, but by 1978 all of the A-26As purchased by Allied were scrapped.		This is inaccurate. [[64-17678]] was authorized to be reclaimed in Feb 1973, but the plane itself was sold to Allied Aircraft on 9 Apr 1976. Allied had it on the lot for a while, but by 1978 all of the A-26As purchased by Allied were scrapped.


			Pg 146 - "In December 1966 Detachment One was thus reformed as the 609th ACS and assigned to the new 56th Air Commando Wing in Thailand. The new wing had several squadrons equipped with a variety of T-28s, A-Is, C-123s
			and U-l0s, as well as the A-26As. The Invaders remained based at NKP."

			Yes, there were additional planes sent to NKP in December 1966. However, Detachment 1 was not reformed into the 609th. In January 1967, the 5 surviving planes of Detachment 1, along with the new arrivals, were formally assigned to the [[606th Air Commando Squadron]]. The [[609th Air Commando Squadron]] was not formed until August 1967.

WikiSysop: /* Korean War Service */

2022-08-10T21:58:30Z

Korean War Service

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	Pg 113 - Top Photo - "This 730th BS B-26B, s/n 44-34698 and carrying the name Miss Used. sits on the ramp at Miho in April 1951 after narrowly escaping disaster. A 20mm cannon shell hit the nose beneath the weapons bay and passed		Pg 113 - Top Photo - "This 730th BS B-26B, s/n 44-34698 and carrying the name Miss Used. sits on the ramp at Miho in April 1951 after narrowly escaping disaster. A 20mm cannon shell hit the nose beneath the weapons bay and passed
	through the aircraft without exploding. At this point it shows sixty missions to its credit. The aircraft was lost on the night of 8 August 1952. with the last report from the crew indicating that they were bailing out."		through the aircraft without exploding. At this point it shows sixty missions to its credit. The aircraft was lost on the night of 8 August 1952. with the last report from the crew indicating that they were bailing out."


	Pg 119 - Top Photo - "An aircraft named Chadwick was a long tradition within the 3rd BG dating back to the early days of World War II. In early 1952 the B-26B flown by the group commander It Col Robert Fortney was The Seventh Chadwick. This was later written off after a low-level aerobatic demonstration."		Pg 119 - Top Photo - "An aircraft named Chadwick was a long tradition within the 3rd BG dating back to the early days of World War II. In early 1952 the B-26B flown by the group commander It Col Robert Fortney was The Seventh Chadwick. This was later written off after a low-level aerobatic demonstration."

	These two pages are related. The 7th Chadwick was not written off after a low-level demonstration. 44-34698, following damage sustained while in the 730th BS, was transferred to the repair depot at Miho AB. From there, it was repaired and assigned to the 3rd Bomb Group. It became the 7th Chadwick. (You can watch my video about all of the Chadwick aircraft here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia8I5ooo7vY). The 7th Chadwick was shot down on 8 Aug 1952 with all 3 crewmembers reported MIA.		These two pages are related. The 7th Chadwick was not written off after a low-level demonstration. 44-34698, following damage sustained while in the 730th BS, was transferred to the repair depot at Miho AB. From there, it was repaired and assigned to the 3rd Bomb Group. It became the 7th Chadwick. (You can watch my video about all of the Chadwick aircraft here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia8I5ooo7vY). The 7th Chadwick was shot down on 8 Aug 1952 with all 3 crewmembers reported MIA.

	==A-26 and B-26 in Foreign Service==		==A-26 and B-26 in Foreign Service==

WikiSysop: /* The CIA, the USAF and South-East Asia: Encore */

2022-08-10T21:58:19Z

The CIA, the USAF and South-East Asia: Encore

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	This story relayed within the inset text box seems to be accurate and correct, but it is curious that no mention is given of "Blue Goose"'s sister ship, N67623 (Ex-USAF 44-35698). There were two identical ships built out for the CIA's use.		This story relayed within the inset text box seems to be accurate and correct, but it is curious that no mention is given of "Blue Goose"'s sister ship, N67623 (Ex-USAF 44-35698). There were two identical ships built out for the CIA's use.


			Pg 140 - Photo - "B-26K s/n 64-17677 at Clark AB in November 1965. The B-26Ks were redesignated as A-26As in early 1966 when the 603rd Air Commando Squadron deployed to Thailand for covert operations over Laos. This aircraft
			was transferred to South Vietnam in November 1969 as an instructional airframe and may still exist."

			The B-26Ks were designated as A-26A in the Spring of 1966, most of them being changed in May. The entire [[603rd Special Operations Squadron]] was not deployed to Thailand, only 8 planes sent over as "Detachment One" in an operation dubbed "Big Eagle". Those planes arrived in Jun 1966. The aircraft pictured, [[64-17677]], was blown up on the ground in March 1975 to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.


			Pg 143 - Photo - "A number of B-26s remained in service into the early 1960s, including this one, sIn 44-34665, shown at Tyndall AFB, Florida, in November 1961. Structural failures caused all B-26s, except the new B-26Ks, to be
			withdrawn from service in early 1964."

			This is inaccurate. The Aerospace Vehicle Report for 1967 shows that a dozen Invaders were still active until 31 May, when all but 1 of them were retried. The last Invader, 44-34610, remained in service until 1970.


			Pg 144 - Top photo - "Through the late 1960s and early 1970s there remained a number of 8-26s stored at Davis-Monthan AF8, Arizona. Most eventually went to a similar state and were scrapped. This A-26A, 64-17678, was officially reclaimed in February 1973."

			This is inaccurate. [[64-17678]] was authorized to be reclaimed in Feb 1973, but the plane itself was sold to Allied Aircraft on 9 Apr 1976. Allied had it on the lot for a while, but by 1978 all of the A-26As purchased by Allied were scrapped.

WikiSysop: /* Development & Production */

2022-08-10T03:03:31Z

Development & Production

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:03, 10 August 2022
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	Pg 39 - Top Photo - "This view shows an interim step taken to improve cockpit visibility problems. The framing above the pilot has been removed and replaced by a piece of curved Plexiglas. However, the heavily-framed hatch remains in place. Beginning with fuselage number 84. these interim canopies were added to the assembly line."		Pg 39 - Top Photo - "This view shows an interim step taken to improve cockpit visibility problems. The framing above the pilot has been removed and replaced by a piece of curved Plexiglas. However, the heavily-framed hatch remains in place. Beginning with fuselage number 84. these interim canopies were added to the assembly line."

	This is not right. This is the Generation 2 canopy style. The Heavily Framed windows are Generation 1 Canopies and only the top section lifts up. In this photo you can clearly see that the navigator window has a curved section with 2 narrow bands and side window is also attached as one piece. This navigator window is an entirely different style from the earlier versions and provided much greater visibility.		This is not right. This is the Generation 2 canopy style. The Heavily Framed windows are Generation 1 Canopies and only the top section lifts up. In this photo you can clearly see that the navigator window has a curved section with 2 narrow bands and side window is also attached as one piece. This navigator window is an entirely different style from the earlier versions and provided much greater visibility.


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	This is not correct. Photographic evidence shows that no Block 50 plane was fitted with an 8-gun nose. All of them wore 6-guns, a fact which is unknowingly pointed out in the text caption on Page 89 (Top Photo). All of the 319th Bomb Group planes were Block 50 models, and all of them wore 6-gun noses. The earliest photographic record of an 8-gun nose is serial number 44-34371, which is halfway through Block 55.		This is not correct. Photographic evidence shows that no Block 50 plane was fitted with an 8-gun nose. All of them wore 6-guns, a fact which is unknowingly pointed out in the text caption on Page 89 (Top Photo). All of the 319th Bomb Group planes were Block 50 models, and all of them wore 6-gun noses. The earliest photographic record of an 8-gun nose is serial number 44-34371, which is halfway through Block 55.

			There are also several additional errors about when canopy revisions were introduced, all of which were deployed during the middle of a production block run, all of them in the preceding block from where it is indicated on the table.