Numerous A-26 Invader aircraft, produced by Douglas, were converted to air tankers with 1,000 gallon capacity tanks after they retired from military service. Their
relatively high speed and war bird type handling were ideally suited for their new missions.
The A-26 Invader succeeded its predecessors as a faster and more maneuverable medium bomber, capable of attack missions in support of ground troops.
The A-26 Invader prototype first took to the sky on July 10, 1942, with the manufacture of the first production aircraft commencing on August 15, 1943.
During World War II the A-26 Invader first saw action in the Pacific. Soon after, Invader aircraft were in combat over Europe.
After the War, the U.S. Strategic Air Command used the A-26 Invader for reconnaissance missions.
A-26 Invader from Don Smith.
Pictured above and below is the great looking A-26 Invader built by Frank Annette from plans for sale by Don Smith Plans. Frank's model has
a wingspan of ten feet and is powered by two Saito 300 engines. Recommended for power are twin 1.4 to 2.1 engines.
The A-26 Invader was used by the U.S. Navy as a utility aircraft.
In
1948 the designation of the A-26 Invader was changed from A (attack) to
B (bomber). The new designation caused some confusion with another,
since retired, bomber aircraft.
Advanced Scale Models (ASM) has the A-26 Invader for sale. Its wingspan is 92" and length is 66". It is made from balsa and plywood and needs a pair of .52 2C or .70 4C engines for power. Weight is around 17 lbs.
If you are looking for plans for a larger version of the A-26 Invader, Don Smith Plans has its plans for sale. It has a wingspan of 105" and can be powered by two .91 engines.
Wing Mfg. has the A-26 Invader short kit for sale. Its wingspan is 68". They recommend .25 to .30 2c power.
Those who want the A-26 Invader will find one for sale at VQ Warbirds. It has a wingspan of 68" with recommended power as 2 x .30 2c engines. All up weight is around 11 lbs.
In the second and third pictures below is the VQ Warbirds A-26 Invader built by Steven Wong. Steven powers it with a pair of Saito 54
4c engines. Steven painted his rc airplane to provide for additional details, including panel lines.
Michael Goolsbee from San Antonio, Texas wrote: "I came across your site and you asked for info on any A-26
Invader. If you go to my friends site, www.scalercmodels.com, you will see
that he has a set of plans for sale that he drew back in the 70's. He just sent
me a copy, which I am looking to make a fiberglass fuse and nacelles, and they
appear to be very accurate. It has a 92" wingspan. Hope this information helps."
Thank you very much Michael. The plans that Scale RC Models has for sale of the A-26 Invader are designed by Bob Parcell. Wingspan is 91" and length is 64". A pair of .50 engines are the recommended power source.
Lake Flyer posted to RC Universe about A-26 Invader water bomber pictures.
There is a post to RC Groups from Delta 1 who is looking for A-26 Invader plans.
Stanger 89 posted to Watt Flyer about finding a lighting layout for the A-26 Invader.
Frank Annette and his A-26 Invader.
When the Korean War broke out, the USAF A-26 Invader was again in action
as a troop support and ground attack aircraft destroying countless
enemy
vehicles, locomotives and railroad cars. The A-26 Invader was the first U.S. bomber to fly sorties in the Korean War and it flew the very last sorties of the war.
Initially A-26 Invader aircraft were used to bomb roads and train bridges. They also attacked
vehicles on roads with their machine guns. Later A-26 Invader
operations included the support of troops during their landing at
Inchon.
A-26
Invader aircraft were then used to counter enemy night time supply
operations. As the enemy troop build up continued, A-26 Invader
operations were expanded to include anti infantry, anti tank and armor,
and reconnaissance.
A-26 Invader from VQ Warbirds.
The French used the A-26 Invader against the Viet Minh during the Indochina War.
The A-26 Invader, flown by Cuban exiles, provided ground support during the Cuban Bay of Pigs Invasion.
Later
the A-26 Invader was used by the CIA, U.S.A.F., and South Vietnamese
Air Force against the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese during the 1960's.
Steven Wong and his A-26 Invader.
A total of 2,502 A-26 Invader aircraft of all types were produced. The final missions of USAF A-26 Invader aircraft were
flown in 1966, after which they were retired. We don't know of any A-26 Invader aircraft still being operated as air tankers.
If you have a rc A-26 Invader, please email us about it. If you know of any other A-26 Invader that we need to include here, please let us know about that too.
A-26 Invader
