Douglas A-26B Invader

DAYTON, Ohio -- Douglas A-26B Invader during the restoration process at the National Museum of the USAF. The aircraft sit-in cockpit is on display the museum's WWII Gallery.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Douglas A-26B Invader

A historic image of the A-26 "The Little Heathen" in Europe during WWII.

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Douglas A-26B Invader

DAYTON, Ohio -- Douglas A-26B Invader cockpit view during the restoration process at the National Museum of the USAF. The aircraft sit-in cockpit is on display the museum's WWII Gallery.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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Douglas A-26B Invader

Though it arrived late to the European Theater, the A-26 Invader combined key features that allowed it to replace the ground attack A-20 Havoc and medium bombers like the B-25 Mitchell and B-26 Marauder.

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Douglas A-26B Invader

A formation of A-26s from the 386th Bombardment Group in flight over Europe during WWII.

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Douglas A-26B Invader

The A-26 Invader is a dual-role aircraft capable of level bombing and ground strafing. The Army Air Forces used two basic models of the aircraft during WWII. The A-26C had a glass nose for a bombardier position, and the A-26B came equipped with a powerful forward-facing armament with up to eight nose-mounted .50-caliber machine guns. Engineers designed the aircraft so that the nose, and thus the models, could be changed by mechanics at forward locations.

Technical Notes:
Crew: Three; Pilot, Navigator / Gun-loader,
and Defensive Turret Station Gunner
Armament (as displayed): Six forward-facing .50-cal
machine guns and an internal bombload of 4,000 lbs.
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800s of 2,000 hp each
Maximum Speed: 375 mph

Videos: Painting the Nose Art on the A-26

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