The A-26, a follow-up airplane to the A-20 Havoc, made its first flight on July 10, 1942. Production delivery began in August 1943, and on Nov. 19, 1944, it went into combat over Europe. It was used for level bombing, ground strafing and rocket attacks. By the time production halted after VJ Day, 2,502 Invaders had been built.

The A-26 was redesignated the B-26 in 1948. During the Korean War, the airplane entered combat once again, this time as a night intruder to harass North Korean supply lines.

Early in the Vietnam conflict, the Invader went into action for the third time. Also, the USAF ordered 40 modified B-26Bs having more powerful engines and increased structural strength. Designated the B-26K, the airplanes were designed for special air warfare missions. In 1966 the B-26K was redesignated the A-26A.

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SPECIFICATIONS:

Span: 70 ft.

Length: 51 ft. 3 in.

Height: 18 ft. 3 in.

Weight: 35,000 lbs. loaded

Armament: Highly variable; A-26C had two forward-firing .50-cal. machine guns and two turrets with two .50-cal. machine guns each; it also carried bombs internally and under wings

Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800s of 2,000 hp each

Crew: Three

Cost: $172,000

Serial number: 44-35733

C/N: 29012

PERFORMANCE:

Maximum speed: 373 mph

Cruising speed: 284 mph

Range: 1,400 miles

Service ceiling: 28,000 ft.