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Thank you.I have the Invader being rename B-26K Counter Invaders in 1963. Nothing yet on the prototype
I know of all the latter Invader info. What I am referring to is it's Pre-production and and earlier production.Martin built the B-26 Marauder as a medium bomber. This aircraft was retired from service shortly after the end of WW2 and the aircraft scrapped. Very few survived in civilian colours.
When Douglas designed a replacement for the attack aircraft, the A-20 Havoc/ Boston, it became the A-26 Invader. In June 1948 the USAF decided that the A for Attack designation was not required and so the A-26 was redesignated the B-26. Hence the B-26 designation was attached to a second type.
Hope this helps you understand the history.
It was done in 1962, and included other types being re-designated (for example FJ-3 Fury to F-1C; SA-16 Albatross to HU-16 etc)Wasn't the B-26K designation changed to A-26A in the late-1960s?
I may be misremembering, but it seems like I remember reading that in something official.
Wasn't the B-26K designation changed to A-26A in the late-1960s?
I may be misremembering, but it seems like I remember reading that in something official.
It was done in 1962, and included other types being re-designated (for example FJ-3 Fury to F-1C; SA-16 Albatross to HU-16 etc)
When the early A-26B with the flat canopy got to the CBI, the response was "Take these things back! We want more B-25's!" The low canopy combined with the big engines close by gave the A-26 poor visibility. And in Burma they were not doing medium altitude level bombing but single ship missions on armed reconnissance against targets of opportunity or based on what the ground troops wanted. The B-25 had terrific visibility from the cockpit and the canopy on the A-26 was revised to improve the view.The XA-26 was pretty good right out of the box, but had cooling issues and a weak nose gear.
A-26A was to be a night fighter, which sounds odd until you realize that was an important role for the A-20/P-70.there was no A-26A version.