NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Numerous Douglas A-26 Invader aircraft 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 Douglas A-26 Invader succeeded its predecessors as a faster and more maneuverable medium bomber, capable of attack missions in support of ground troops.
The Douglas 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 for reconnaissance missions.
The A-26 Invader was used by the U.S. Navy as a utility aircraft.
In 1948 the designation of the Douglas A-26 Invader was changed from A (attack) to B (bomber). The new designation was known as the B-26 Invader. This has caused some confusion with another aircraft, the Martin B-26 Marauder.
When the Korean War broke out, USAF Invaders were again in action as a troop support and ground attack aircraft destroying countless enemy vehicles, locomotives and railroad cars. They were the first U.S. bombers to fly sorties in the Korean War and they flew the very last sorties of the war.
Initially Invaders were used to bomb roads and train bridges. They also attacked vehicles on roads with their machine guns. Later Invader operations included the support of troops during their landing at Inchon.
Invaders were then used to counter enemy night time supply operations. As the enemy troop build up continued, Invader operations were expanded to include anti-infantry, anti tank and armor, and reconnaissance.
The French used the Invader against the Viet Minh during the Indochina War.
Douglas A-26 aircraft, flown by Cuban exiles, provided ground support during the Cuban Bay of Pigs Invasion.
Later Invaders were used by the CIA, U.S.A.F., and South Vietnamese Air Force against the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese during the 1960's.
A total of 2,502 Douglas 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 Invaders still being operated as air tankers.
Pictured above and below is the great looking A-26 Invader rc airplane built by Frank Annette from Don Smith Plans. Frank's model has a wing span of ten feet and is powered by two Saito 300 engines. Recommended for power are twin 1.4 to 2.1 engines.
Advanced Scale Models (ASM) has a giant scale rc A-26 Invader ARF 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 rc A-26 Invader, Don Smith Plans has one. It has a wingspan of 105" and can be powered by two .91 engines.
Wing Mfg. has a rc A-26 Invader scale model short kit for sale. Its wingspan is 68". They recommend .25 to .30 2c power.
Those who want a rc A-26 Invader ARF will find one 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 picture down is the rc A-26 Invader sold by Nitro Planes.
In the third picture below is the VQ Warbirds rc 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 rc A-26 Invader. If you go to my friend’s site, www.scalercmodels.com, you will see
that he sells a set of plans 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 rc Douglas 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.
If you have a A-26 Invader rc airplane, please email us about it. If you know of any other rc A-26 Invader, please let us know about that too.
Douglas A-26 Invader
