Author Topic: Douglas A-26 (B-26) Invader (Read 14927 times)

Jeffry Fontaine · « **on:** January 08, 2012, 03:49:15 PM »

A place to share ideas on the Douglas A-26 (B-26) Invader

Click for larger image

(image source: National Museum of the United States Air Force)

Wikipedia - Douglas A-26 Invader
National Museum of the US Air Force - Attack Aircraft

How about an Invader in US Navy or USMC markings? Outfitted with folding wings and a tail hook? As an attack or bomber and not the utility aircraft that it was actually used for under the JD-1 designation.

Maverick · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2012, 04:05:02 PM »

I did a bunch of A-26 profiles, including an RAF version with H2S radar and two post-War turboprop powered examples.

Regards,

John

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2012, 04:07:51 PM »

Something Moritz did last year:

Regards,

Greg

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2012, 04:22:07 PM »

An A-26 in that camouflage scheme with red stars looks pretty good. One of my A-20 kits has markings for a Russian aircraft that could be put to use on the Monogram B-26.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2012, 05:30:44 PM »

I plan to do a RAAF A-26 asan alternative to the RAAF's Mosquitos. Basically, what if the RAAF decided to stay with the Douglas team after being such a major A-20 user.

Maverick · « **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2012, 09:08:19 PM »

Did two Soviet profiles along with two RAAF examples. One each of A-26B & C.

Regards,

John

Stargazer2006 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2012, 10:39:38 PM »

Something I did quite a while ago... a scaled-down, fuel glider derivative of the Invader, the Douglas DS-452 Fuelmaster (USAAF: XFG-2).

I'm also enclosing the original top view of the Invader for comparison.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2012, 02:09:52 AM »

Cool - I must admit that I have never even thought of a Turbo-proped A-26. In makes sense though.

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2012, 04:11:57 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on January 09, 2012, 02:09:52 AM

Cool - I must admit that I have never even thought of a Turbo-proped A-26. In makes sense though.

Have thought about it and quickly backed away from it as I was stumped by what I could use to make the turbine modifications to the engine nacelles. I also took a look at using a pair of R-3350 nacelles from a couple of Skyraider kits as a way to provide more power without too much alteration. At least with the Skyraider engines you get the option of the four blade propellers which look good and will look even better with a spinner over the propeller hub. Add on some wing tanks and you are on the way to something wonderful.

I will look at the turbine option again when I can find a suitable (in 1/48th scale) object that can pass muster for a turbine cowling. Until then, R-3350 powered Invaders will have to do.

elmayerle · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2012, 06:17:12 AM »

You might consider the engine fit from a Dash 8 as I remember those engines are about the right power rating to replace R2800s, but those engines came along rather later than most periods you'd want the B-26T for. Given that the longer nacelles would likely interfere with the pilot's vision, I think Jeff's idea of using R3350s makes a lot more sense (from my point of view, it makes lots of sense from the aircraft weight and balance situation, too).

ChernayaAkula · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2012, 08:41:30 AM »

Turbo Invader sounds good. How about engine nacelles like those on the An-32 Cline, with the spinners above the wing? Apart from looking cool, it could improve side and downward visibility for the crew a tad.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2012, 04:25:57 PM »

How would either RR Darts or even T56 turbo props go for the A-26T? Both would be theoretically available in the timeframe. Besides, both are available in 1/48 scale.

Alternatively, does anyone do a S-2T Turbo Tracker conversion? Maybe use the engines from this and then simply say that the engines are some undefined turboprop with enough power...

...or simply scratch build something...

Regards,

Greg

elmayerle · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2012, 09:05:00 AM »

The Dart would work as it was fitted in place of the R2800 on the Convairliner, though it would likely need to be mounted like the engines on the An-32 in order to give adequate pilot visibility (it is rather longer than the R2800). The T56 is way more power than you'd need as well as rather large for the airframe.

Weaver · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2012, 08:35:52 AM »

Something just struck me (as it struck Greg two years ago on t'other place): how about a jet Invader?

Specifically, how about using the engine nacelles from an Il-28 Beagle on an Invader, either by grafting them to the original wings or using the entire Il-28 wing? Unlike a lot of jet nacelles they carry main undercarriage in them like piston ones, and the engines are basically Nenes, so they're roughly in the right time frame.

Perhaps you could make it a Russian project using lend-lease airframes and claim it as a progenitor of the Il-28....

The Big Gimper · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2012, 05:30:03 AM »

I have an Italeri B-26K which I want to build as a B-26T.

Keeping the existing nacelles, I have 1/48 drop tanks from a F-5 I think in which the nose section fits nicely over the R-2800s. Put Shackleton contra-pops on and add tubing to represent the exhaust.

M.A.D · « **Reply #15 on:** November 03, 2012, 02:30:33 PM »

Quote

Perhaps you could make it a Russian project using lend-lease airframes and claim it as a progenitor of the Il-28....Weaver

Wow you took the words and idea right out of my mouth!

I was just about to suggest a natural USAAF/RAF transitional development of the Invader, with it's piston engines being replaced by two Rolls Royce Nene turbojet's, as a means to minimize post-war budgets, as well as giving their airforces a quick introduction to the new jet bomber concept - aka an almost IL-28 Beagle design before the likes of the English Electric Canberra and Martin B-51 can be introduced into front-line service!

M.A.D

finsrin · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2012, 02:36:23 PM »

Like the jets idea :)
Consider it seconded........

Volkodav · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2012, 02:55:00 PM »

A navalised torpedo bomber variant with later versions incorporating turbo jets in the rear of the nacels as seen on later Shackletons.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #18 on:** November 03, 2012, 03:47:12 PM »

You want a jet powered A-26? Well, what about the XA-26F?

The XA-26F was a prototype for a high-speed version of the Invader. A single A-26B-61-DL (44-34586) was modified as the XA-26F prototype. It was fitted with a pair of 2100 hp R-2800-83 engines initially driving three-bladed propellers but later fitted with four-bladed units with large spinners. In addition, a 1600 lb.s.t. General Electric J31 turbojet was installed in the rear fuselage, with the exhaust pipe in the tail and fed by an intake above the central portion of the fuselage in place of the usual dorsal turret and gunner position. The eight-gun nose and the six wing 0.50-inch machine guns were retained. With all three engines running at full power, the aircraft achieved a maximum speed of 435 mph at 15,000 feet. However, this was deemed to be an insufficient performance improvement over the proposed A-26D to warrant any production.

M.A.D · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2012, 06:36:13 PM »

Yeah nice one GTX!!!

M.A.D

elmayerle · « **Reply #20 on:** November 05, 2012, 02:11:45 AM »

That might work with a later generation of jet engine, but I have to wonder how much that installation suffered in the way of intake duct loses? Problems sorting that out is one reason a lot of first and second generations jet engines had very simple intakes.

Logan Hartke · « **Reply #21 on:** June 12, 2015, 12:20:30 PM »

Douglas JD (A-26) Invaders on the carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Quote

5. There are three JDs behind the ADs. It looked at first like they might be B-25/PBJs but what looks like an H-tail on the one on the right is the vertical blade of the left and right propellers on the one behind it. Obviously these are not carrier-based aircraft (they were used to tow or launch gunnery targets) and have been craned aboard. However, they could easily be deck launched, which may be why they are at the back of the pack.

So what's going on here? My guess is that in mid-1951, FDR was being used between its deployments to the Med to transport this collection of airplanes from somewhere (Norfolk Overhaul and Repair?) to somewhere on the east coast. They have been craned aboard and are being deck launched to get to their ultimate destinations. The Panthers are probably part of the early inflight paint-scheme evaluation accomplished before the decision was made to do an extended durability test.

Cheers,

Logan

kitnut617 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 13, 2015, 08:51:19 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on January 09, 2012, 04:25:57 PM

How would either RR Darts or even T56 turbo props go for the A-26T? Both would be theoretically available in the timeframe. Besides, both are available in 1/48 scale.

Alternatively, does anyone do a S-2T Turbo Tracker conversion? Maybe use the engines from this and then simply say that the engines are some undefined turboprop with enough power...

...or simply scratch build something...

Regards,

Greg

Personally, I think I would go with a pair Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100, considering that the CL-215 had R-2800's (like the A-26) and the CL-415 used the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100

Volkodav · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2017, 11:36:10 PM »

Australia follows the UK example and transfers control of Army Cooperation Squadrons/Flights back to the Army, thus the 2nd AIF deploys to the Middle East with each division having their own Army Cooperation Squadron. The single squadron per division is quickly expanded to a regiment with artillery AOP flights concentrated into a large Sqn for administration purposes and a fighter and an attack squadron added to each and the original Army Coopoeration Sqns reequipped as Scout/Dive Bomber Sqns. The initial equipment of the Attack Sqns are DB7, then Boston/Havoc and by the end of the war the A-26, which serves into the 50s when finally replaced by Canberras.

Story · « **Reply #24 on:** January 25, 2018, 10:08:30 AM »

A-26s updated for night interdiction missions in the RVN.


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Author Topic: Douglas A-26 (B-26) Invader (Read 14927 times)

Stargazer2006