United States (Navy)

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The US Navy was the 3rd most prolific operator of the Douglas Invader, after the US Air force, and the French Air Force (Armeé de L'Air). The Navy operated 152 Invaders under the designation JD-1 - or "Jim Dogs", as the sailors called them. The JD-1s were used as utility planes that towed aerial targets and many were modified to be drone carriers and became JD-1D.

In 1962 the Navy combined designation systems with the Air Force. The JD-1 became the UB-26J, and the JD-1D became the DB-26J.

Accuracy of Information

There is a not a lot of information abiut the JD-1s readily available, which may be why much of what is published is wrong.

Some sources only list JD-1s as being active in VU-3, 4, 7, and 10. However, photographic evidence proves the JD-1s were active to some extent in 10 Utility Squadrons.

Similarly, some sources claim that only 141 Invaders were given to the Navy, but we have BuNos for 152 of them.

Some sources claim that only 1 XJD-1 was developed, but we have information of two different XJD-1s.

Due to lack of available records from the Navy, our information is also incomplete. However, despite this limitation, this should be the most accurate information on the JD-1s anywhere, as we are actively comparing the US Navy data with the USAF data and primary and secondary sources to create a clearer picture of the Navy’s planes. As always, we will correct any mistakes and continually update our information as new records become available.

Background and Development

As WWII was winding down the US Navy wanted some aircraft for target tugs and general utility use. The US Army Air Corps happened to have roughly 200 Invaders laying around that they didnt want. These planes had been cutom built for the British Royal Air Force, but the RAF cancelled the order as the war was winding down in Europe and the bombers were superfluous at that point. Being modified to RAF specifications, the USAAC didnt want them.

Two prototypes were developed for the Navy. Ex-USAF 44-34217 became a hard nose XJD-1 Prototype, and 44-35467 became a glass-nosed XJD-1 Prototype. Both of the XJD-1 Prototypes were tested at NAS Norfolk and assigned to VJ-4. They were painted gloss yellow all over with gloss black engine nacelles. Of the two, the Navy preferred the glass-nosed version, and placed an order to procure 150 more, the vast majority of these coming from the unused RAF Invaders.

Initially, the Navy's JD-1 planes kept the standard C-Model nose, but the upper portion of the nose was painted in line with the fuselage panel. The result was that only the very tip of the nose was left exposed. The Navy mounted aerial radar into the noses of the JD-1s. Eventually, the standard C-model noses were replaced with custom noses built specifically for the JD-1 and the radar dish. Toward the end of their operational use that plexiglass nose cap was painted white.

Navy Tail Codes

Navy Squadrons

Navy Bureau Numbers (BuNos)

The Navy Bureau Number list is incomplete. The US Navy has not yet made these Bureau Number Records available online. As such I can only cross-reference a handful of these planes to their original USAF serials. Naval history and service is limited to what can be gleaned from photos at this time. If you have any additional information that can help fill in gaps, please let us know.

57XXX

These two planes were the original XJD-1 prototypes ordered by the Navy.

771XX

7713X

7714X

7715X

7716X

7717X

7718X

7719X

772XX

7720X

7721X

7722X

80XXX

890XX

1403XX

14032X

14033X

14034X

14035X

14036X

14037X