64-17656
| B-26K-1 Invader | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Builders: Douglas Aircraft Company On Mark Engineering | |||
| Operators: United States Air Force | |||
| Number Built: 40 | |||
| First Built: Jan 1963 (YB-26K) First test flight | |||
| GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS | |||
| Type: Light Attack Bomber | |||
| Weight: 25,130 lbs empty 37,000 lbs loaded | |||
| Length: 51' 7 3/16" (inc. guns) | |||
| Height: 19' 0" | |||
| Wingspan: 71'6" (including wingtip tanks) | |||
| Wing Area: 540 Sq. Feet (50.17 m²) | |||
| Speed: 169 mph (cruising) | |||
| Max Speed: 323 mph | |||
| Ceiling: 28,600' | |||
| Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-103W | |||
| Horsepower: 2,500 | |||
| Fuel Capacity: 1,600 US Gallons | |||
| Range: 700 miles w/3518 lbs payload 1,480 miles empty | |||
| Crew: 2 | |||
| Passengers: 1 | |||
| ARMAMENT | |||
| Nose Guns: 8x .50 caliber guns | |||
| Dorsal Turret: None | |||
| Ventral Turret: None | |||
| Payload: 8,000 lbs on wings 4,000 lbs internal | |||
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See also: List of Invaders by Serial Number, Serial Numbers starting with 64
Converted from 44-35847.
This Counter Invader has the distinction of having the shortest service life of all of the B-26Ks. It was destroyed in a crash just 42 days after being accepted into service. In fact, it was destroyed before all of the B-26Ks had even fully entered service.
Operational History
10 Nov 1964 - Accepted into USAF Inventory from OnMark at Van Nuys, CA. [1]
11 Nov 1964 - Assigned to 1st Air Commando Wing at Hurlburt Field. [1]
16 Dec 1964 - 1st Air Commando Wing at Hurlburt Field [1]
22 Dec 1964 - Dropped from USAF Inventory due to accident. [1]. Written off at Eglin Range after crashing during low-level applied tactics mission. Pilot killed, navigator bailed but lost leg while exiting the aircraft. [2]
This was the 1st B-26K model lost and it had the shortest service life of any B-26K, with an operational period on the books of just 42 days.
The plane crashed during a strafing run exercise where it was equipped with live ammunition. [3][4] Cpt. White died in the crash, but 1LT Bourney was able to parachute clear of the plane but suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized. [4]
Originally I had not been able to find any information on the crew listed in the accidents. Because the plane was not lost during war these airmen don't show up on memorial sites. Thanks to an anonymous donor who sent money to our PayPal account I was able to buy a premium Newspapers subscription and found 3 different articles that mention this crash, and the names of the crew, which I have updated below.
Accidents
22 Dec 1964 - Crashed during low-level tactics exercise. Aircraft destroyed. [1][2]
Crew
Cpt. Thomas R. White (KIA)
1LT. Maurice W. Bourney
Disposition
Lost in Accident Dec 1964.
Images
Sources
Databases searched:
- AAIR -
- MACR -
- KORWALD -
- Baugher
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Aerospace Vehicle Report, Oct-Dec 1964" Reel AVH-2, Pg 599 USAFHRA
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1964.html
- ↑ The Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Alabama) · 18 Dec 1964, Fri · Page 27"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Florida) · 18 Dec 1964, Fri · Page 4