44-34586

A-26B-61 Invader
File:.jpg
Builders: Douglas Aircraft Company
Operators: United States Air Force
Number Built:
First Built: Jun 1945
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 Ford R-2800-79
Horsepower: 2,000 each
Fuel Capacity: 1,600 US Gallons
Range:
Crew: 3
Passengers: 1
ARMAMENT
Nose Guns: 8x .50 Machine Guns
Dorsal Turret: 2x .50 Machine Guns
Ventral Turret: Reserve Fuel Tank
Wings: 3x .50 Machine Guns per wing Under-wing rocket mounts
Payload: 4,000 lbs internal 2,000 lbs wing points
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See also: List of Invaders by Serial Number, Serial Numbers starting with 43

This plane was the XA-26F Prototype.

Operational History

unknown

Accidents

Unknown

Crew

Unknown

Disposition

Unknown.

Images

The plane went through several test versions, including with guns and without. We have attempted to put these photos in approximate order based on the fuselage details. Some photos show the plane with a clean side fuselage, these photos came first, prior to 1946. In late 1945 the Air Force introduced the "Buzz Number" system and A-26s were coded with "AC" numbers on the side of the plane, so these photos come next. When the A-26 was re-designated as the B-26 in 1948 the "AC" buzz number became a "BC" buzz number. Based on this information, an approximate timeline is established.

Early XA-26F Photos (Pre-1946):

XA-26F between 1946 and 1948:

XA-26F after 1948:

The XA-25F Protoype in the late 1940s wearing an upgraded antenna on the nose.

Sources

Databases searched:

• AAIR -
• MACR -
• KORWALD -
• Baugher