64-17646

B-26K-1 Invader
Builders: Douglas Aircraft Company On Mark Engineering
Operators: United States Air Force
Number Built: 40
First Built: Jan 1963 (YB-26K) First test flight
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Type: Light Attack Bomber
Weight: 25,130 lbs empty 37,000 lbs loaded 39,250 lbs Maximum
Length: 51' 7 3/16" (inc. guns)
Height: 19' 0"
Wingspan: 71'6" (including wingtip tanks)
Wing Area: 540 Sq. Feet (50.17 m²)
Speed: 169 mph (cruising)
Max Speed: 323 mph
Ceiling: 28,600'
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-103W
Horsepower: 2,500
Fuel Capacity: 1,600 US Gallons
Range: 700 miles w/3518 lbs payload 1,480 miles empty 2,700 miles (ferry)
Crew: 2
Passengers: 1
ARMAMENT
Nose Guns: 8x .50 caliber guns
Dorsal Turret: None
Ventral Turret: None
Payload: 8,000 lbs on wings 4,000 lbs internal
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See also: List of Invaders by Serial Number, Serial Numbers starting with 64

Was converted from 44-35375.

Operational History

18 Aug 1964 - sent to Congo to participate in CIA operation Anstalt Wigmo. Had RF646 and later FR-646 on the tail.

Mar 1967 - returned to US.

Served with 609th Special Operations Squadron.

Participated in Operation Steel Tiger.

8 Jul 1969 - hit hillside during strafing run in southern "Barrel Roll" area of SVN. 2 KIA. Last A-26 lost in SEA operations by US.

Accidents

Unknown

Crew

Gustavo Ponzoa (Navigator) - Congo
Joaquin Valera (Pilot) - Congo

Maj. James Sizemore (Pilot) - KIA
Maj. Howard Andre (Nav) - KIA

Disposition

Lost in action Jul 1969.

Images

64-17646 doing a low-level pass over the air field in the Congo.

64-17646 in early spring, 1965 showing an early version of the Makasi Squadron insignia.

Gustavo Ponzoa and Squadron Commander Joaquin Valera pose in front of "The Boogie Bogey" in the Congo.

64-17646 is visible in the background on the left.

64-17646 is visible in the background, center, wearing the Makasi squadron insignia.

64-17646 pictured with Commander Antonio Torrecilla and El Guarijo Castillo of the Makasi Squadron in the Congo.

Maj. James Sizemore standing beside 64-17646 in Vietnam.

Sources

Databases searched:

• AAIR -
• MACR -
• Baugher