Douglas A26 Invader #44-35326

[flroales]

Reassembly has begun at the Indiana Military Museum. The museum relocated this past summer and along with moving a museum (you can't believe what a job that was) There was a display C-47 and F-4 to assemble and a TM-76B Mace restoration to complete. Now that we are mostly moved and the C-47 and the Mace are finished and the F-4 well along we can begin to reassemble the 26. I have a question for anyone out there that may be able to help. I have run into trouble finding the story of the journey of this 26. I have all the info from its beginning in Tulsa to when it was transferred to the Navy and then when it came into civil use. What I don't have is its Navy records. The Navy of course uses Bureau numbers and not serial numbers. Does anyone know the Bureau number of this aircraft or a way to get the Bureau number from the serial number?
You can find the museum at website ishttp://www.indymilitary.com and Indiana Military Museum Inc on face book.

Frank

[The Inspector]

Checking ABCDLIST and Baughers, l/n 27605 originally built for the RAF but not delivered, the rest is as I posted on page one of this subject.
Thanx for the update!!

[cooper9411]

Sorry, still learning computers 'cause I jest got done learing heavy achinery

Last edited by cooper9411 on Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Noha307]

More photos over here: pictures

I'd post 'em myself here, but I don't want to step on any toes. I figure it's also good to include a link to the other thread here. But on to the real reason I wanted to make this post...

I'm calling it, this thread needs a sticky.

[cooper9411]

part 1 This picture courtesy of Buck Wyndham


These three are courtesy of me!




There will be plenty more pictures of this project coming in the next couple of days.

[bdk]

What was the nature of the damage to this plane? Wasn't there some nacelle damage?

[cooper9411]

What was the nature of the damage to this plane? Wasn't there some nacelle damage?

No there was no damage to the nacelles. There was however a small tear to the underside of the fuselage and some damage up around the tail cone area.

[bdk]

Any idea what caused the damage?

Weren't there some replacement parts for that area with the project?

Glad to see this aircraft finally getting saved.

[cooper9411]

Any idea what caused the damage?

Weren't there some replacement parts for that area with the project?

Glad to see this aircraft finally getting saved.

From what I was told the plane had a gear collapse at some time which caused damage, but most of that damage was repaired except for the tear in the lower fuselage. But when I was there the damage looks like it happened from the inside outwards!
As far as the damage to the tail cone, I've gotten conflicting stories, I've been told it happened when both engines were removed without supporting the tail (which is what it looks like), also been told it was hit by another aircraft when it was sitting on the other end of the field. I really don't think anyone knows! The guy who owned it form Virginia had a stash of extra parts including the bombbay doors? I've never seen the parts but I believe they are already at the museum.
And now onto the next project (trying to decide which one ).

[bdk]

Thanks for the backstory!

[6trn4brn]

*bump*

Any updates fellas? This looks like an interesting project. Thanks

[cooper9411]

She has been reassembled at her new home. The museum personnel are actively trying to resurrect it to former "glory".

[Fouga23]

Any pics?

[cooper9411]

No I do not have any. They may have some on their Facebook page or website ( Indiana Military Museum).

[flroales]

Hi All:
As an update to this thread 44-35326 has been patched, reassembled, and moved to the display area where she is to be painted and marked as a generic 26. She has been cosmetically restored and may never fly again but will be proudly displayed at the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes, IN. We still have to make some pieces such as a dummy top turret and re-do the nose adding some .50 cals and other cosmetic additions. Attached is a link to a picture of her in primer ready for a coat of silver and marking. http://s846.photobucket.com/user/flroales/media/DSCN7399_zps0b1497a7.jpg.html