41-19504: Difference between revisions
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See also: [[List of Invaders by Serial Number]] | See also: [[List of Invaders by Serial Number]] | ||
This plane was the first working A-26 Prototype to be fully operational. In July of 1941 Douglas built a full-sized wooden mock-up of the plane with dummy weapons to pitch to the Air Force. That initial display culminated in a contract for two operational prototypes - this plane, and [[41-19505]] (The XA-26A). Later, the Air Force added a third prototype, the XA-26B (41-19588). | |||
This plane was the first working A-26 Prototype to be fully operational. In July of 1941 Douglas built a full-sized mock-up of the plane with dummy weapons to pitch to the Air Force. That initial display culminated in a contract for two operational prototypes - this plane, and [[41-19505]] (The XA-26A). Later, the Air Force added a third prototype, the XA-26B (41-19588). | |||
This plane was constructed with a glass nose (many sources cite it as "glazed"). | This plane was constructed with a glass nose (many sources cite it as "glazed"). | ||
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This plane served as the prototype for what would become the C model Invader - those equipped with glass noses to aid in bombing. One observable difference between the prototype models and the production models was the "propeller spinner" - the cone-shaped piece in the middle of the propeller blades. The prototype units were equipped with this feature, but none of the production models had them. | This plane served as the prototype for what would become the C model Invader - those equipped with glass noses to aid in bombing. One observable difference between the prototype models and the production models was the "propeller spinner" - the cone-shaped piece in the middle of the propeller blades. The prototype units were equipped with this feature, but none of the production models had them. | ||
==Operational History== | |||
Test flight on 10 JUL 1942 at Mines Field, El Segundo, CA. | |||
Purportedly the plane made addition test flights, but the exact dates of these fights is not known to me. | |||
==Accidents== | |||
This plane was not listed in any accidents in the Air Force database. | |||
==Known Crew== | |||
Benny Howard - Test Pilot | |||
==Disposition== | |||
This plane was purpose built for testing. Upon completing its mission it was retired from service and subsequently written off 16 MAR 1943 | |||
== Images == | == Images == | ||
Revision as of 01:37, 15 March 2018
| XA-26 Invader | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Builders: Douglas Aircraft Company | |||
| Operators: United States Air Force | |||
| Ordered 1941 | |||
| Number Built: 1 | |||
| First Built: 1942 | |||
| GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS | |||
| Type: Light Attack Bomber | |||
| Dry Weight: - | |||
| Wet Weight: - | |||
| Length: 51' 3" (15.24 m) | |||
| Height: 18' 6" (5.64 m) | |||
| Wingspan: 70' (21.34 m) | |||
| Wing Area: 540 Sq. Feet (50.17 m²) | |||
| Speed: - | |||
| Max Speed: - | |||
| Ceiling: 22,100 feet (6,700 m) | |||
| Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 | |||
| Horsepower: 2,000 | |||
| Fuel Capacity: - | |||
| Range: - | |||
| Crew: 2 | |||
| Passengers: 1 | |||
| ARMAMENT | |||
| Nose Guns: None | |||
| Dorsal Turret: None | |||
| Ventral Turret: None | |||
| Payload: 6,000 lbs | |||
See also: List of Invaders by Serial Number
This plane was the first working A-26 Prototype to be fully operational. In July of 1941 Douglas built a full-sized wooden mock-up of the plane with dummy weapons to pitch to the Air Force. That initial display culminated in a contract for two operational prototypes - this plane, and 41-19505 (The XA-26A). Later, the Air Force added a third prototype, the XA-26B (41-19588).
This plane was constructed with a glass nose (many sources cite it as "glazed").
The Douglas XA-26 prototype first flew on 10 July 1942 at Mines Field, El Segundo, CA with test pilot Benny Howard at the controls. Flight tests revealed excellent performance and handling, but engine cooling problems led to cowling changes and elimination of the propeller spinners on production aircraft. Repeated collapses during testing led to reinforcement of the nose landing gear.
Having served its purpose, the plane was later written off 16 Mar 1943 at Los Angeles Municipal Airport, CA. Despite being built, tested, and then written off, it wasn't officially accepted by the Air Force until Feb 1944.
This plane served as the prototype for what would become the C model Invader - those equipped with glass noses to aid in bombing. One observable difference between the prototype models and the production models was the "propeller spinner" - the cone-shaped piece in the middle of the propeller blades. The prototype units were equipped with this feature, but none of the production models had them.
Operational History
Test flight on 10 JUL 1942 at Mines Field, El Segundo, CA. Purportedly the plane made addition test flights, but the exact dates of these fights is not known to me.
Accidents
This plane was not listed in any accidents in the Air Force database.
Known Crew
Benny Howard - Test Pilot
Disposition
This plane was purpose built for testing. Upon completing its mission it was retired from service and subsequently written off 16 MAR 1943
Images
Luckily, being a prototype model, there are many images of this plane. This Prototype was the only prototype version to feature a glass nose. The other two had solid noses.
The XA-26 Prototype during takeoff, 10 JUL 1942.
The XA-26 Protoype in flight.
The XA-26 Protoype in flight.