The Douglas A-26 Invader was a distinguished twin-engine light bomber whose origins were well-placed in the Second World War. The system proved adept at day and night flying, attacking targets with a bevy of machine guns or drop bombs and operating at low and medium altitudes with equal success. The type was fielded throughout the conflict in both Pacific and European theaters and went on to see action in the global wars to follow including Korea, Indo-China and Vietnam. In the end, the Invader served American forces for some twenty years before being officially retired and removed from service - such was the reach of this magnificent airplane.
A-26B[]
| Douglas A-26B "Invader" | |
|---|---|
| [[File:|300px]] | |
| General Historical Information | |
| Place of origin | USA |
| Speed | 587 km/h |
| Category | Heavy Bomber |
| General Ingame Information | |
| Debut | Debut in Forgotten Hope mod |
| Used by | USA |
| Guns | 6x 12.7 mm .50 M2HB Browning 1250 rounds |
| Bombs | 8x 250kg |
| Seat 2 | 1x 12.7 mm Twin .50 M2HB Browning 900 rounds |
| Seat 3 | 1x 12.7 mm Twin .50 M2HB Browning 900 rounds |
| Historical Picture | |
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The A-26B model series became the first major production version with its mounted collection of heavy machine guns in a solid nose assembly. A crew of three operated this type and consisted of a pilot, navigator/loader and gunner. Some 1,355 B-26B (A-26's were redesignated to B-26 due to the establishment of the United States Air Force as an independent service in 1947) model series aircraft were eventually produced along with 25 other aircraft that were never delivered.
A-26C[]
| Douglas A-26C "Invader" | |
|---|---|
| |
| General Historical Information | |
| Place of origin | USA |
| Speed | 587 km/h |
| Category | Heavy Bomber |
| General Ingame Information | |
| Debut | Debut in Forgotten Hope mod |
| Used by | USA |
| Bombs | 8x 250kg |
| Seat 2 | 1x 12.7 mm Twin .50 M2HB Browning 900 rounds |
| Seat 3 | 1x 12.7 mm Twin .50 M2HB Browning 900 rounds |
| Historical Picture | |
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A-26B models were eventually followed by an A-26C model with a glassed-in nose and bombardier-manned Norden bombsight, which means that you can use new improved bombing system, introduce in 0.55. These were more in line with the dedicated light attack bomber role than the preceding A-26B models, whose forte was generally strafing with machine guns. A-26C models were built concurrently alongside A-26B systems. 1,091 A-26C models were delivered.
XA-26B[]
| Douglas XA-26B | |
|---|---|
| |
| General Historical Information | |
| Place of origin | USA |
| Speed | 587 km/h |
| Category | Ground Attack Aircraft |
| General Ingame Information | |
| Used by | USA |
| Guns | 1x 75 mm M10 1x 37 mm M10 6x 12.7 mm .50 M2HB Browning 21 shots |
| Bombs | 4x250 kg |
| Seat 2 | 1x 12.7 mm Twin .50 M2HB Browning 2000 rounds |
| Seat 3 | 1x 12.7 mm .50 M2HB Browning 600 rounds |
| Historical Picture | |
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XA-26B was a prototype low altitude attack aircraft with 75 mm gun in solid nose. The testing program for the XA-26B was successful, and the Army ordered the aircraft into production; however, the 75mm cannon had a slow firing rate and was prone to jamming, so various alternate armament configurations were considered. Several combinations of 75mm or 37mm cannons and .50-cal. machine guns were tried. Armament testing continued even after the production of A-26Bs had started.
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