64-17646: Difference between revisions

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Was converted from [[44-35375]].
Was converted from [[44-35375]].


This plane was the last Counter Invader lost during combat operations.


==Operational History==
==Operational History==
18 Aug 1964 - sent to Congo to participate in CIA operation [[Anstalt Wigmo]]. Had RF646 and later FR-646 on the tail.   
12 Aug 1964 - Accepted into USAF Inventory from [[OnMark Engineering Company]] at Van Nuys, CA. <ref name="AVH-1"> "Aerospace Vehicle Report, Jun-Oct 1964" Reel AVH-1, Pg 1180 USAFHRA </ref><br>
13 Aug 1964 - Assigned to [[1st Air Commando Wing]] at [[Hurlburt Field]]. <ref name="AVH-1"/><br>
18 Aug 1964 - sent to Congo to participate in CIA operation [[Anstalt Wigmo]]. Had RF646 and later FR-646 on the tail.  <ref name="Foreign"> Hellstrom, Leif & Hagedorn, Dan. (1994) ''Foreign Invaders: The Douglas Invader in Foreign Military and US Clandestine Service'' Voyager Press, ISBN-13 : 978-1857800135 </ref>


Mar 1967 - returned to US.  
8 Jan 1965 - Assigned to Logistics Command at [[Hill AFB]] as part of a Lease/Loan program. <ref name="AVH-4"> "Aerospace Vehicle Report, 1965" Reel AVH-4, Pg 1957 USAFHRA</ref><br>
Note: The Lease/Loan program is the CIA operation [[Anstalt Wingmo]]. This record suggest that the CIA received the plane on 8 Jan 1965, but Hellstrom and Hagedorn propose 18 Aug 1964.  


Served with [[:Category:609th Special Operations Squadron|609th Special Operations Squadron]].  
27 Jul 1966 - Aircraft designation changed from B-26K to A-26A. <ref>"Aerospace Vehicle Report, 1966" Reel AVH-6, Pg 1944 USAFHRA</ref>
Note: This plane is still assigned to Hill AFB and is still reported as being part of Lend/Lease, which is the cover for the CIA operation [[Anstalt Wigmo]].  


Participated in [[Operation Steel Tiger]].
23 Mar 1967 - Assigned to Sacramento Air Material Area (SMAAR) at [[McLellan AFB]] <ref name="AVH-8">"Aerospace Vehicle Report, 1967" Reel AVH-8, Pg 2748-2749 USAFHRA</ref><br>
31 May 1967 - Still at SMAAR, undergoing maintenance and repair work. <ref name="AVH-8"/><br>
20 Jul 1967 - Assigned to [[634th Combat Support Group]] at Nakhon Phanom Air Base. <ref name="AVH-8"/><br>
6 Aug 1967 - Assigned to [[56th Air Commando Wing]] at Nakhon Phanom Air Base. <ref name="AVH-8"/><br>
20 Dec 1967 - Assigned to Sacramento Air Material Area (SMAAR) <ref name="AVH-8"/><br>
23 Dec 1967 - Assigned o [[56th Air Commando Wing]] at Nakhon Phanom Air Base. <ref name="AVH-8"/><br>
28 Dec 1967 - Underwent maintenance with [[56th Air Commando Wing]] at Nakhon Phanom.<ref name="AVH-8"/><br>


8 Jul 1969 - hit hillside during strafing run in southern "Barrel Roll" area of SVN.  2 KIA.
3 Jan 1968 - Returned to Combat Status with [[56th Air Commando Wing]] at Nakhon Phanom. <ref name="AVH-8"/><br>
Last A-26 lost in SEA operations by US.
19 Jan 1968 - Maintenance with [[56th Air Commando Wing]] at Nakhon Phanom Air Base. <ref name="AVH-10">"Aerospace Vehicle Report, 1968" Reel AVH-10, Pg 2369 USAFHRA</ref><br>
8 Feb 1968 - Returned to Combat Status with [[56th Air Commando Wing]] at Nakhon Phanom. <ref name="AVH-10"/><br>
2 Aug 1968 - [[56th Air Commando Wing]] renamed to [[56th Special Operations Wing]]. <ref name="AVH-10"/><br>
 
5 Apr 1969 - [[56th Special Operations Wing]] at Nakhon Phanom Air Base. <ref name="AVH-13">"Aerospace Vehicle Report, 1969" Reel AVH-13, Pg 2202 USAFHRA</ref><br>
8 Jul 1969 - Dropped from inventory due to loss during combat. <ref name="AVH-10"/> Hit hillside during strafing run in southern "Barrel Roll" area of SVN.  2 KIA.
Last A-26 lost in Southeast Asia operations by US. Also last A-26 to be lost by American forces during combat operations.
 
[[File:AVH1-1180.jpg|200px]]<br>
[[File:AVH4-1957.jpg|200px]]<br>
[[File:AVH6-1944.jpg|200px]]<br>
[[File:AVH8-2748.jpg|200px]]<br>
[[File:AVH8-2749.jpg|200px]]<br>
[[File:AVH10-2369.jpg|200px]]<br>
[[File:AVH13-2202.jpg|200px]]<br>


==Accidents==
==Accidents==
Unknown
Approx. 1966 belly landed in the Congo after taking enemy ground fire.


==Crew==
==Crew==
Gustavo Ponzoa (Navigator) - Congo<br>
Rafael "El Huevo" Garcia Pujon (Pilot) - Congo<ref name="Capote">Capote, Vicente Blanco (2011) ''The Makasis''. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/69193132/The-Makasis-2</ref><br>
Joaquin Valera (Pilot) - Congo<br>


Maj. [[James Sizemore]] (Pilot) - KIA <br>
Maj. [[James Elmo Sizemore]] (Pilot) - KIA <br>
Maj. [[Howard Andre]] (Nav) - KIA
Maj. [[Howard Vincent Andre Jr.]] (Nav) - KIA


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
Line 32: Line 57:


==Images==
==Images==
64-17646 doing a low-level pass over the air field in the Congo.<br>
[[File:64-17646._Congo.jpg|200px]]
[[File:64-17646._Congo.jpg|600px]]<br/>
[[File:Makasi on Boogie Bogey.jpg|200px]]
 
[[File:64-17646. Masaki. In the Congo. WM.jpg|200px]]
64-17646 in early spring, 1965 showing an early version of the [[211th Squadron|Makasi Squadron]] insignia.<br>
<br/>
[[File:Makasi on Boogie Bogey.jpg|600px]]
 
Gustavo Ponzoa and Squadron Commander Joaquin Valera pose in front of "The Boogie Bogey" in the Congo.<br>
[[File:Gustavo Ponzoa and Joaquin Valera in the Congo with 64-17646.jpg|600px]]
 
64-17646 is visible in the background on the left. <br>
[[File:64-17645. Rumdum.jpg|600px]]<br/>
 
64-17646 is visible in the background, center, wearing the Makasi squadron insignia. <br>
[[File:Makasi planes.jpg|600px]]<br/>


64-17646 pictured with Commander Antonio Torrecilla and El Guarijo Castillo of the [[211th Squadron|Makasi Squadron]] in the Congo.<br>
[[File:Gustavo Ponzoa and Joaquin Valera in the Congo with 64-17646.jpg|200px]]
[[File:64-17646 and crew.jpg|600px]]
[[File:64-17645. Rumdum.jpg|200px]]
[[File:Makasi planes.jpg|200px]]<br/>


Maj. [[James Sizemore]] standing beside 64-17646 in Vietnam. <br/>
[[File:64-17646 and crew.jpg|200px]]
[[File:64-17646._Maj._Sizemore.jpg|600px]]
[[File:Stanleyville.jpg|200px]]
[[File:64-17646._Maj._Sizemore.jpg|200px]]


==Sources==
==Sources==

Latest revision as of 06:29, 17 February 2021

B-26K-1 Invader
640.jpg
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.

This plane was the last Counter Invader lost during combat operations.

Operational History

12 Aug 1964 - Accepted into USAF Inventory from OnMark Engineering Company at Van Nuys, CA. [1]
13 Aug 1964 - Assigned to 1st Air Commando Wing at Hurlburt Field. [1]
18 Aug 1964 - sent to Congo to participate in CIA operation Anstalt Wigmo. Had RF646 and later FR-646 on the tail. [2]

8 Jan 1965 - Assigned to Logistics Command at Hill AFB as part of a Lease/Loan program. [3]
Note: The Lease/Loan program is the CIA operation Anstalt Wingmo. This record suggest that the CIA received the plane on 8 Jan 1965, but Hellstrom and Hagedorn propose 18 Aug 1964.

27 Jul 1966 - Aircraft designation changed from B-26K to A-26A. [4] Note: This plane is still assigned to Hill AFB and is still reported as being part of Lend/Lease, which is the cover for the CIA operation Anstalt Wigmo.

23 Mar 1967 - Assigned to Sacramento Air Material Area (SMAAR) at McLellan AFB [5]
31 May 1967 - Still at SMAAR, undergoing maintenance and repair work. [5]
20 Jul 1967 - Assigned to 634th Combat Support Group at Nakhon Phanom Air Base. [5]
6 Aug 1967 - Assigned to 56th Air Commando Wing at Nakhon Phanom Air Base. [5]
20 Dec 1967 - Assigned to Sacramento Air Material Area (SMAAR) [5]
23 Dec 1967 - Assigned o 56th Air Commando Wing at Nakhon Phanom Air Base. [5]
28 Dec 1967 - Underwent maintenance with 56th Air Commando Wing at Nakhon Phanom.[5]

3 Jan 1968 - Returned to Combat Status with 56th Air Commando Wing at Nakhon Phanom. [5]
19 Jan 1968 - Maintenance with 56th Air Commando Wing at Nakhon Phanom Air Base. [6]
8 Feb 1968 - Returned to Combat Status with 56th Air Commando Wing at Nakhon Phanom. [6]
2 Aug 1968 - 56th Air Commando Wing renamed to 56th Special Operations Wing. [6]

5 Apr 1969 - 56th Special Operations Wing at Nakhon Phanom Air Base. [7]
8 Jul 1969 - Dropped from inventory due to loss during combat. [6] Hit hillside during strafing run in southern "Barrel Roll" area of SVN. 2 KIA.

Last A-26 lost in Southeast Asia operations by US. Also last A-26 to be lost by American forces during combat operations.

AVH1-1180.jpg
AVH4-1957.jpg
AVH6-1944.jpg
AVH8-2748.jpg
AVH8-2749.jpg
AVH10-2369.jpg
AVH13-2202.jpg

Accidents

Approx. 1966 belly landed in the Congo after taking enemy ground fire.

Crew

Rafael "El Huevo" Garcia Pujon (Pilot) - Congo[8]

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

Disposition

Lost in action Jul 1969.

Images

64-17646. Congo.jpg Makasi on Boogie Bogey.jpg 64-17646. Masaki. In the Congo. WM.jpg

Gustavo Ponzoa and Joaquin Valera in the Congo with 64-17646.jpg 64-17645. Rumdum.jpg Makasi planes.jpg

64-17646 and crew.jpg Stanleyville.jpg 64-17646. Maj. Sizemore.jpg

Sources

Databases searched:

  • AAIR -
  • MACR -
  • Baugher
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Aerospace Vehicle Report, Jun-Oct 1964" Reel AVH-1, Pg 1180 USAFHRA
  2. ↑ Hellstrom, Leif & Hagedorn, Dan. (1994) Foreign Invaders: The Douglas Invader in Foreign Military and US Clandestine Service Voyager Press, ISBN-13 : 978-1857800135
  3. ↑ "Aerospace Vehicle Report, 1965" Reel AVH-4, Pg 1957 USAFHRA
  4. ↑ "Aerospace Vehicle Report, 1966" Reel AVH-6, Pg 1944 USAFHRA
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 "Aerospace Vehicle Report, 1967" Reel AVH-8, Pg 2748-2749 USAFHRA
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Aerospace Vehicle Report, 1968" Reel AVH-10, Pg 2369 USAFHRA
  7. ↑ "Aerospace Vehicle Report, 1969" Reel AVH-13, Pg 2202 USAFHRA
  8. ↑ Capote, Vicente Blanco (2011) The Makasis. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/69193132/The-Makasis-2
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