B-26 history

[Oscar Duck]

Update: My new A-26 Invader moves closer to heading to Reno and Australia...

Seems like she was a black bird with 3rd BW in Korea. Yet to be confirmed..

[jhor9]

The original B26- Marauder was known as the Widow maker. When they were flown out of McDill AFB during the 1940s, there was a saying "One a day in Tampa Bay".

After they added a bit to the wings it improved its record. Incidentally, the B-26 had the best record re: losses in the ETO during WW2.

I guess that the A26 Invader was an improvement of the B26

[Oscar Duck]

The A-26 was a big performer and survived 25 years of wars from WW2 to Vietnam.

By the way we WILL be at Reno this year with my new bird>>

[Swiss Mustangs]

The original B26- Marauder was known as the Widow maker. When they were flown out of McDill AFB during the 1940s, there was a saying "One a day in Tampa Bay".

After they added a bit to the wings it improved its record. Incidentally, the B-26 had the best record re: losses in the ETO during WW2.

I guess that the A26 Invader was an improvement of the B26

Nope - two different designs from two different manufacturers - the B-26 was built by Martin, the A-26 was a Douglas design. Buth both played in the same league - i.e. Medium Bomber, - the A-26 Invader in fact was the successor of the Douglas A-20 Havoc.

Martin

[Oscar Duck]

Still like to know her service history>>

[Lightning]

Oscar Duck

Have you obtained the History Report Card, on your new bird yet ?
(Maxwell AFB)

This should give you some idea about its history!

Once you know the squadron info, obtain the squadron info from the same place.

Cheers

[Oscar Duck]

I'm looking forward to the details and appreciate your effort on that.

[gary1954]

I guess that the A26 Invader was an improvement of the B26

The B-26 Martin Marauder, IIRC was a "Medium" Bomber
and the
A-26 Douglas Invader was a "Light" Bomber.

I think

[DH82EH]

He said,

Nine years later!

Andy

[A26 Special K]

Having flown the B-25 and A-26, there are some similarities, but more differences are apparent. The A-26 was intended by Douglas and the AAF to replace both the B-25 and the Martin B-26. It was faster and had many new features such as a laminar flow wing, slotted flaps and the capacity of 8 guns in the nose or some combination thereof. It could haul 4000 lbs in the bomb bay which was about the same as the B-26 and more than the B-25. It was faster as the result of better aerodynamics and construction techniques. The A26 could perform as a medium altitude bomber or get down in the weeds as an attack aircraft. It reached it's maximum potential in the K model which could haul 12,000 lbs of ordnance and 2700 rounds of .50 cal machine gun ammo. Don't think that would be termed a light bomber. In fact, while much is said about the Thai govt not wanting the B-26 to come to NKP, that basically is myth. A pilot who was there said that mission clearly was going to be in the attack mode like the A-10. The pilots themselves were asked if they wanted to change the designation and they all voted for a return to the A-26 to represent what they knew they would be doing with it. Thus it went from B-26K to A-26A. The B-57 was there and it was not changed to A so the oft repeated myth of "political reasons" is open to debate. I'll take the word of a pilot who delivered the one of the first A-26's to NKP and completed a combat tour there. And Oscar, it would be great if you can make Reno. If we get Special Kay done in time, we intend to be there as well. Best Regards, JR

[A26 Special K]

Btw, Oscar D, did u decide on the paint job? Farmgate would be super as there isn't another 26 with that scheme. It would be a great companion for Special K, JR

Last edited by A26 Special K on Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.