41-39100

A-26B-1 Invader
Builders: Douglas Aircraft Company
Operators: United States Air Force
Number Built: 5
First Built: Sep 1943
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Type: Light Attack Bomber
Wet Weight: 31,000 lbs
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
Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27
Horsepower: 2,000 each
Fuel Capacity: 1,600 US Gallons
Range:
Crew: 3
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

Notes: This plane was the first production model A-26B ever produced (excluding the prototypes). It was built at the Douglas, Long Beach, CA facility.

Operational History

I do not have much information about this plane after it left the factory. It was received by the USAF SEP 1943.

Accidents

24 SEP 1943 - According to the Air Force Accident Records, this plane was struck by another plane while parked at Wright Field. No crew were aboard. It suffered heavy (3) damage.

The only other plane listed in an accident on the same date/time was listed as type "F-8" (de Havilland Canada F-8-DHB Mk VII Mosquito), tail number 43-34930 based out of Dayton, OH. It was piloted by George F. Tompkins. Pilot Tompkins crashed into 41-39100 while he was taxing on the runway.

Based on the report summary, the pilot survived this crash (otherwise the accident type would have been listed as KCRGC).

Crew

No Known Crew at this time.

Disposition

It is currently unclear whether or not the Invader was repaired after its accident and returned to service, or written off as a loss. Based on the number of other invaders with a damage level of 3 on the Air Force reports that have been returned to service, I assume that this one was also repaired, but I do not know for certain.

The ultimate fate of this invader is unclear at this time.

Images

41-39100 fresh off the assembly line. Note the olive drab paint scheme that was applied to the A-26B-1-DL block.

Sources

Databases searched:

• AAIR - One Entry Found
• MACR - No Entry
• KORWALD - No Entry
• Baugher