Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3221
RB-26C Invader
44-35581, 363rd TRW, Shaw Air Force Base, 1955

Douglas Invader A-26 was re-designated B-26 in June 1948

True 1/72 scale.
Professionally painted.
Great attention to detail.
All markings are Tampoed (pad applied).
Option to display the model on a stand that is provided.
Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions.
Loads of optional armament provided.
Canopy can be removed to place figures inside.
3 figures included.
Turrets can turn.
Bomb bay can be opened with 6 bombs included.
Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.
Highly collectable.

In 1941 Douglas Aircraft Company began work on their twin-engine medium-bomber A-26
Invader. By the end of production there were 2,452 aircraft produced for all variants. The A-
26/B-26 was the only U.S. bomber to take part in three wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The
confusion with the use of the designation B-26 began when the Martin B-26 Marauder was
retired and in 1948 the USAF dropped the “A” (Attack) designator so the Douglas A-26
Invader became the B-26 Invader. The A-26 made its first European appearance in late 1944.

Douglas RB-26C Invader 44-35581 c/n 28860 was manufactured as an A-26C-40-DT. The
363rd TRW originally was based at Langley AFB but in 1951 was moved to Shaw AFB, and
became the parent wing. The 363rd remained at Shaw AFB until December 30, 1993. The
unit flew the Douglas RB-26C until 1957 when they were replaced by the jet-powered
Canberra. In June 1958 44-35581 was sold as surplus and in 1976 was bought by Air Spray
Ltd. from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Registered as C-GWJG it became tanker #9 and on
July 1, 1982 the aircraft was destroyed in a crash killing the sole occupant.

Specifications Douglas A-26C Invader

Production for the USAAF – 1,091

Role – bomber/pathfinder observation with Plexiglas nose and Norden bomb sight

Crew – 3 X Pilot, Bombardier/Navigator/Pilot, Gunner

Dimensions
Length – 50 ft 9 in
Wingspan – 70 ft 0 in
Height – 18 ft 6 in

Weight
Empty – 22,370 lbs
Maximum take-off – 35,000 lbs

Performance
Engines – 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-79 radial piston with water injection each producing
2,000 hp
Maximum Speed – 373 mph
Cruising Speed – 284 mph
Range – 1,400 mi
Service Ceiling – 28,000 ft

Armament
2 X 0.5 in. Browning M.G. in nose firing forward
2 X 0.5 in. Browning M.G. in dorsal turret
2 X 0.5 in. Browning M.G. in ventral turret
6 X 0.5 in. guns could be added to the wings in the field
Bombs
Maximum Internal - 4,000 lbs
and
Maximum Under-Wing – 2,000 lbs
or
14 X 5 inch rockets

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