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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
A total of 18 A/B-26 aircraft were converted to air tankers with 1,000 gallon capacity tanks by Air Spray Ltd. They tell us that the relatively high speed and war bird type handling of the A/B-26 is ideally suited to their large protective area of the West Canadian mountains.
The Douglas A-26 Invader succeeded the Douglas A-20 Havoc as a faster and more maneuverable medium bomber, capable of attack missions in support of ground troops.
The A-26 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 first saw action in the Pacific. Soon after, A-26 aircraft were in combat over Europe.
After the War, the U.S. Strategic Air Command used the Invader, designated as the RB-26 as a reconnaissance aircraft.
The Douglas A-26 was designated as the JD-1 by the U.S. Navy where is was used as a utility aircraft.
In 1948 the designation of the Douglas 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 B-26 Invaders were again in action as a troop support and ground attack aircraft destroying countless enemy vehicles, locomotives and railroad cars.
The French used the Invader against the Viet Minh during the Indochina War.
B-26 Invader aircraft, flown by Cuban exiles, provided ground support during the Cuban Bay of Pigs Invasion.
Later B-26 Invader aircraft were used by the CIA, U.S.A.F., and South Vietnamese Air Force against the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese in the 1960's.
A total of 2,502 Douglas A/B-26 Invader aircraft of all types were produced. The final missions of USAF A/B-26 aircraft were flown in 1966 after which they were retired.
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Specifications
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Primary Function:
Crew:
Engines:
Horsepower:
Length:
Wingspan:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Machine Guns:
Ordnance:
Retardant:
Cruise Speed:
Max. Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
Year Built:
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medium bomber
3 bomber/2 tanker
Pratt & Whitney
2- 2,000 hp. ea.
51' 3"
70' 0"
22,850 lbs.
35,000 lbs.
10- .50 cal.
6,000 lbs.
1,000 gallons
285 mph
355 mph
2,000 fpm
22,000 feet
1,400 miles
1943
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RC Airplane from Don Smith Plans.
Radio Control Airplanes:
Pictured above and below is the great looking A-26 RC Airplane built by Frank Annette from Don Smith Plans. Frank's A-26 radio control airplane has a wing span of 120" and is powered by two Saito 300 engines. Don Smith Plans recommends twin 1.4 to 2.1 engines to power their RC Airplane.
If you are looking for plans for a slightly smaller version of the A-26 radio control airplane, Don Smith Plans has one. The RC Airplane has a wing span of 105" and can be powered by two .91 engines.
Wing Mfg. sells their A-26 radio control airplane as a short kit. Their RC Airplane has a 68" wing span. Wing Mfg. recommends .25 - .30 2c power for their radio control airplane.
Those who want a A-26 ARF RC Airplane will find one at VQ Warbirds. Their radio control airplane has a wing span of 68" with recommended power as 2 x .30 2c engines. All up weight of the RC Airplane is around 11 lbs.
In the second and third pictures below is the VQ Warbirds RC airplane built by Steven Wong. Steven powers his radio control airplane with a pair of Saito 54 4c engines. Steven painted his VQ Warbirds RC Airplane to provide for additional details, including panel lines.
If you have a Douglas A-26/B-26 radio control airplane, please email us about it. If you know of any other A/B-26 RC Airplane plans, kits, or ARF's, please let us know about that too.
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Radio Control Airplane |
 Frank Annette and his RC Airplane.
Radio Control Airplane
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RC Airplane from VQ Warbirds.
Radio Control Airplane
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Steven Wong and his RC Airplane
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