41-19505
XA-26A Invader | |||
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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 |
This plane was the second 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 41-19504 (The XA-26). Later, the Air Force added a third prototype, the XA-26B (41-19588).
This plane was constructed with a solid nose but without the guns in either the nose or the turrets.
There is less information on this particular plane than there is on the XA-26.
This plane served as the prototype for what would become the B model Invader - those equipped with hard noses and heavy machine gun armament. 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.
Images
Luckily, being a prototype model, there are some images of this plane.
The XA-26 Prototype.
The XA-26 Protoype on the runway.
The XA-26 Protoype.
A closeup view of the 4 tub-mounted 20mm cannons.