41-39107

A-26B-5 Invader
Builders: Douglas Aircraft Company
Operators: United States Air Force
Number Built: 30 (15-DT, 15-DL)
First Built: Dec 1943
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Type: Light Attack Bomber
Wet Weight: 31,000 lb
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 (6,700 m)
Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27
Horsepower: 2,000 each
Fuel Capacity: 1,600 US Gallons 125 Gallon tank in bomb bay
Range:
Crew: 2
Passengers: 1
ARMAMENT
Nose Guns: 1x 75mm Cannon
Dorsal Turret: 2x .50 Machine Guns
Ventral Turret: 2x .50 Machine Guns
Payload: 4,000 lbs internal 2,000 lbs wing points
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See also: List of Invaders by Serial Number

Operational History

It was received by the USAAF between DEC 1943 - MAR 1944.

Accidents

21 MAR 1944. crash during takeoff due to mechanical failure. The plane was piloted by Lawrence T. Gordon. It was assigned to the 1st Provisional Group. The home base was listed as Eglin Field, Valparaiso, FL, but the accident occurred at Richmond AAB, VA.

13 DEC 1944. It was a landing accident due to mechanical failure. It is unclear at this time if these accidents were related, however the early model Invaders were notorious for nose-landing gear failures. That would be my initial guess without seeing more detailed records. The plane was piloted by George C. Dease and was assigned to the 206th Base Unit at Alamagordo, NM. The crash occurred at Davis-Monthan AAF, AZ.

Crew

• Gordon, Lawrence T. (Pilot)
• Dease, George C. (Pilot)

Disposition

Unknown

Sources

Databases searched:

• AAIR - Two Entries
• MACR - No Entry
• KORWALD - No Entry
• Baugher