Douglas A-26C "Invader"

The Douglas A-26C Invader was a rugged, versatile attack bomber that served from the closing months of World War II through the beginning of the Vietnam War. Loaded, it weighed 35,000 pounds and carried eight forward-firing .50 caliber machine guns, one turret with two .50 caliber machine guns, six 1,000 pound rockets under the wings, and 14 HVAR rockets internally. It used Pratt and Whitney R-2800 radial engines rated at 2000 horsepower each, had a maximum speed of 373 miles per hour, a cruising speed of 284 miles per hour, a range of 1,400 miles, a service ceiling of 28,000 feet, and a crew of three: pilot, bombardier/navigator/pilot, and gunner. Its glass nose contained a bombardier's compartment intended for use as a lead ship in formation bombing, so when the lead aircraft dropped their bombs, the rest followed. A total of 1,091 were built, and the type served with the Louisiana Air National Guard from 1947-1958.

Arabi, Louisiana · United States