64-17648

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

Converted from 43-22732.

Was named "Nother Trucker"

Operational History

unknown

Participated in Operation Steel Tiger. Served with 609th Special Operations Squadron.

30 Apr 1968 - shot down by AA during napalm run over Ho Chi Minh trail near Ban Boung, Laos in Steel Tiger area. 2 KIA. 609th ACS, 56th ACW
Note that Scott Thompson lists this plane as being shot down in May 1968, but records indicate that not to be the case. Most likely the plane's inventory card was updated in May.

The remains of the aircrew were recovered in 2013 and were interred at Arlington National Cemetery in 2013.

Accidents

Unknown

Crew

Lt. Col. Robert Edward Pietsch (Pilot) - MIA
Maj. Luis Fulda Guillermin (Nav) - MIA

Disposition

Scott Thompson reports Lost May 1968. 609th Crew Chief reports lost in Apr 1968. I need to consult the record.

Images

Sources

Databases searched:

• AAIR -
• MACR -
• KORWALD -
• Baugher