41-19504
| 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: 6x .50 Machine Guns | |||
| Dorsal Turret: 2x .50 Machine Guns | |||
| Ventral Turret: 2x .50 Machine Guns | |||
| Payload: 6,000 lbs | |||
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").
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
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.
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.