 |
U. S.
Military Aircraft A-26B INVADER Photo by P. Guerin |
|
In January Douglas started development of a new Attack bomber to succeed the A-20 boston series, but offering higher performance offensive firepower. The XA-26 flew in July 1942, and trials with prototypes in various attack and night fighter configurations led to large scale orders for the A-26B attack bomber that entered service in January 1944. ome 6,000 aircraft were ordered, but production was curtailed in September 1945 at 2,450 aircraft. Some 6,000 aircraft were order, but production was curtailed in September 1944 at 2,450 aircraft. Examples saw very useful service in Europe and the Far East. In 1948 the type was redesignated B-26, and went on to effective combat use in the Korean War (1950-53) and in the early stages of the Vietnam War. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Douglas | Length: 50 ft. 0 in. |
| First Flight: July 1942 | Height: 18 ft. 6 in. |
| Model: B | Wing Span:7 0 ft. 0 in. |
| Crew: Three | Wing Area: 540.0 sq. ft. |
| Nickname: Invader | Empty Weight: 22,850 lb. |
| Basic Role: Attack bomber. | Max. Weight: 35,000 lb. |
| Other Versions: A-26B initial production model, later redesignated B-26B, with (solid) nose. A-26C later production model redesignated B-26C and known in British service as the Invader Mk I with a glazed bombardier nose and only two forward firing fuselage guns, a wider fuselage, and dual controls. B26K special counter insurgency variant produced to the extent of some 70 conversions for use in Vietnam War. | Armament: Between 10 and 18 0.5-in 12.7-mm machine guns six fixed in the nose, with provision for another eight in underwing and fuselage cheek packs, and two each in remotely controlled dorsal and ventral barbettes, and up to 4,000 lb of bombs. |
| Principal User: Great Britain, USA. |
Propulsion |
|
Performance |
Power Plant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 or 97 radial piston engine. |
| Range: 1,400 miles. | Horsepower: 2,000-hp. |
| Max. Speed: 355 mph. | No. Of Engines: Two |
| Ceiling: 22,100 ft. | |
| Climb Rate: 10,000 ft. in 8 minutes 6 seconds. |