Douglas A-26C Invader - TAM, Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

The A-26 Invader (B-26 between 1948–1965) was a US twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co during WW II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts. A limited number of highly modified aircraft (designation A-26 restored) served in combat until 1969.

The re-designation, in 1948, of the type from A-26 to B-26 has led to popular confusion with the Martin B-26 Marauder. Although both types used the R-2800 engine, they are completely different designs.

The last A-26 in active US service was assigned to the Air National Guard; that aircraft was retired from military service in 1972 by the US Air Force and the National Guard Bureau and donated to the National Air and Space Museum.

The A-26 first flew on 10 July 1942 with deliveries starting in August 1943. The designation was changed in 1948 to B-26. As a result of a B-26 crash caused by wing separation on 11 February 1964, the B-26 was grounded and a few were extensively upgraded to the B-26K configuration. It first flew on 30 May 1964. In 1965, because Thailand did not allow 'bombers' in country, the B-26 designation was returned to A-26. All aircraft were retired by 1980.

This aircraft was built as A-26C-25-DT s/n 43-22652, one of a total of 2,452 built by Douglas Aircraft Co. No record could be found identifying this aircraft as being converted to the A-26K configuration. After it retired, it was delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, for storage in February 1958. Subsequently purchased by LB Smith Aircraft Corp, Miami, FL, under N8018E civil registry. Next owner was Aerojet General Corp/Aerojet Electrosystems, Azusa, CA, between 1961 and 1972 who used it as testbed for military tracking systems. Arthur W McDonnell, Mojave, CA, owned the aircraft from 7 September 1973 to 1974. In June of 1974 Conair Aviation Ltd of Abbotsford, BC, registered it as C-GHCE and flew it as tanker #30. On 7 August 1974, it was damaged in a gear-up landing at Williams Lake, BC, but was repaired to airworthy condition. On 18 July 1988 it was sent to the Travis Air Museum, Travis AFB, CA, and displayed as A-26K/USAF/43-652/TA652.

Specifications:
Crew: 3
Power Plant: 2× 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial engines
Dimensions:
- Span: 70' 0"
- Length: 50' 0"
- Height: 18' 3"
Weight:
- Empty: 22,850 lb
- Maximum: 35,000 lb
Performance:
- Speed:
- - Max: 355 mph @ ft
- - Cruise: 266 mph
- Range: 1,400 miles
- Ceiling: 22,000 ft
- Climb: 1,250 fpm
Armament:
- Guns:
- - Up to 8 50-cal M2 Browning machine guns in the nose (1,600 rpg)
- - 8 50-cal M2 machine guns paired in four optional underwing pods
- - 2 50-cal M2 machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal turret
- - 2 50-cal M2 machine guns in remote-controlled ventral turret
- Internal: 4,000 lb of bombs in the bomb bay plus
- External: 2,000 lb of bombs carried on the wings

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Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Douglas A-26C Invader Tail Number: (S/N): s/n 43-22652 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Located at Travis Air Museum, Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA inside / outside: outside Other Information:: JIMMY DOOLITTLE AIR & SPACE MUSEUM Building 80 461 Burgan Bl Travis AFB, CA 94535 Mailing Address: 400 Brennan Circle Travis AFB, CA 94535 Office: (707) 424-5605 Gift Shop: (707) 424-4450 Email: TravisAirMuseum@travis.af.mil Museum Link: http://jimmydoolittlemuseum.org/index.html Museum Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm Closed Sundays, Mondays, and Federal holidays Escort hours (no military ID) 9am-(around) 3pm Docent tours on a call-ahead basis. Air park hours: Everyday until dark Admission is free. Gift shop in the museum 10am-3pm Picnic area next door. If you will require a base visitor access pass, please read Access to Travis Air Force Base. Access restrictions: Located at Travis Air Museum, Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA Access to Travis Air Force Base If you are traveling to the Travis Air Museum and you do not have someone with official access to Travis Air Force Base to sponsor you, you will need to have an escort sponsor you and bring you to the Museum. You will be required go to the Travis Air Force Base Visitors Center to present a valid drivers license, vehicle registration, current proof of insurance for each vehicle, and submit to a criminal background check. Be advised this is required for all vehicles regardless of type. If a bus or other commercial vehicle will be used, please collect vehicle and driver information to include drivers license, vehicle type, company owner, and contact information, for the vehicle company, and be prepared to provide it upon request. In addition, a valid photo ID is required for all visitors age 18 and older. Please contact the Travis Air Force Base Visitors Center for all questions concerning access to the base and museum. Once this process has been completed and you have a pass, you will be escorted by authorized personnel to the Travis Air Museum. This pass is only valid for travel to and from the Travis Air Museum, is only valid for a specified time, and is not authorized for any other travel on Travis Air Force Base. If you wish a tour of the base or more information please contact the Travis Air Force Base Public Affairs office.

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

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