41-39116
| A-26B-5 Invader | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Builders: Douglas Aircraft Company | |||
| Operators: United States Air Force | |||
| Number Built: 30 (15-DT, 15-DL) | |||
| First Built: Dec 1943 | |||
| GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS | |||
| Type: Light Attack Bomber | |||
| Wet Weight: 31,000 lb | |||
| 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 (6,700 m) | |||
| Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 | |||
| Horsepower: 2,000 each | |||
| Fuel Capacity: 1,600 US Gallons 125 Gallon tank in bomb bay | |||
| Range: | |||
| Crew: 2 | |||
| Passengers: 1 | |||
| ARMAMENT | |||
| Nose Guns: 1x 75mm Cannon | |||
| Dorsal Turret: 2x .50 Machine Guns | |||
| Ventral Turret: 2x .50 Machine Guns | |||
| Payload: 4,000 lbs internal 2,000 lbs wing points | |||
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See also: List of Invaders by Serial Number
Operational History
It was received by the USAAF between DEC 1943 - MAR 1944.
Delivered Long Beach to NAS Alameda, CA. Dismantled for shipping.
6 May 1944 Departed Oakland, CA for delivery to Finschhafen, New Guinea. Assembled and flown to Nadzab, New Guinea. 3rd Bomb Group, Hollandia, New Guinea.
Combat evaluation June 1944
Accidents
No Accidents listed
Crew
Unknown
Disposition
Unknown
Stories
From Bill Rupert, 13th Bomb Squadron Pilot:
Just finished reading Bob Mosley's recollections of the two A-26s that arrived at Hollandia in summer 1944 and thought I would pass on my remembrance.
To lay a little groundwork I must tell you about the rudder pedals on the A-20. They were mounted at an angle with the top being further towards the nose than the bottom. The brakes were applied by pressing on the top of the pedals. Over a period of time I had got into the habit of sliding my feet up high on the pedals while on the approach so that I was ready to use the brakes immediately if necessary. It became such a habit that I would not even be conscious of it.
Then I got my check ride in the A-26. Takeoff was fine and the handling in the air was ok except that that I didn't like those engines restricting my view and the aircraft just had a, for want of a better word, heavy feel. My vote was for the A-20.
Anyhow, on the approach I unconsciously slide my feet up high on the rudder pedals. It did not register that these pedals were in a vertical position so that when I touched down I had the brakes on. Immediately blew both main gear tires and by the time I got it stopped, had ruined the wheels. Well, naturally, since no idiot was ever expected to ruin wheels, there were no spares. I don't know how they did it but the mechanics modified a couple of B-25 wheels to use and it continued flying. I don't think I need tell you that I was not invited to take any more A-26 rides.
I do know that they continued to accompany the A-20s on missions and the pilots I remember talking to did not particularly like them.
Images
41-39116 pictured at the air field in New Guinea.
Sources
Databases searched:
- AAIR - No Entry
- MACR - No Entry
- KORWALD - No Entry
- Baugher