Its regular pilot Bruce Guberman displays Feeding Frenzy near Portland, Oregon, in July 1995. The cowlings were later painted red to complete the Korean War B-26 colour scheme.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Douglas B-26 Invader 44-34538/N34538 over the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara, California, in December 1997. The aircraft is painted in an all-black Korean War colour me and bristles bristles with dummy 0-50in Browning machine-guns and underwing stores, It makes an excellent cross-country aircraft when attending airshows, especially since it is 100 m.p.h. faster than a B-25 Mitchell.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The Invader's black camouflage makes a stark contrast with snow-covered Mount Baldy in Southern California.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

A-26 5159 of the Forca Aerea Brasileira. Brazil acquired a batch of aircraft which had been stored at Davis-Monthan.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Air Spray Ltd Tanker 2 C-FPGP/44-35898 deploys to its fire base. The area formerly occupied by turrets is now used to house spares and tools, making each Invader self-sufficient.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

B-26B 43-4552 Brown Nose of the 13th BS returns from the 10,000th sortie of the Korean War in May 1951 to have the crew photographed with ranking officers at K-9 Pusan.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

This previously unpublished photograph from World War Two depicts the crew of an A-26C Invader attracting the attention of a hungry German mutt. The yellow and red bands on the various aircraft signify the air force of occupation.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Douglas A-26B-20-DT 43-22406, assigned to a training unit in the southern USA, with top turret swivelled forward and heavy exhaust staining.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Although virtually brand new, these two Invaders at Firth Air Base in Germany, shortly after the defeat of the Nazis, appear very tired. The Invader on the left, assigned to the 355th Fighter Group, has had all of its armament removed.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Highly polished VB-26B 44-34360 sparkles in the sun at its home base of Andrews AFB, Maryland, in September 1966.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The B-26K Counter Invader was developed for use in Vietnam by civilian conversion specialists On Mark, who strengthened the wing to carry a variety of stores on eight hard points, removed the turrets and enlarged the tail section. The engines and systems were also uprated.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

B-26 44-34597 of France’s Armee de l'Air at Le Bourget in the late 1950s.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

B-26Ks were redesignated A-26As for their deployment in Thailand. This 609th SOS Invader prepares to perform the last Invader mission of the war at Nakhon Phanom in 1969.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

On Mark Marketeer N437W (44-35201) at Broomfield, Colorado, on August 27, 1972. Note the odd probe in the nose.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

This JD-1D carries a Ryan Firebee drone, balanced by a tank under the starboard wing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942Ryan AQM-34 / BQM-34 Firebee - СШАUSA - 1951

The Invader was remarkably manoeuvrable for a bomber, owing in part to the mid-mounted laminar-flow wings and carefully shaped nacelles housing Pratt & Whitney R-2800s.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The first Invader purpose-built for the RAF was USAAF 43-22604. Carrying RAF serial KL692, it was finished in full RAF markings with its USAAF serial retained on the fin. However, the aeroplane was never delivered, being transferred instead to the US Navy in September 1945.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

A dummy pilot departs from a US Navy JD-1 at 1,600ft over Mustin Field, Philadelphia, during early ejection trials in 1948. “Jay Dees" were used in a variety of roles.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The XA-26F on display at Wright Field. This experimental prototype had an eight-gun nose and six-gun wing. The four-bladed propellers and large spinners were used during maximum-performance testing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Despite intense wrangling between Douglas and the US Government, the Invader went on to become an outstanding light bomber, used in several wars.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Famed pre-war air racing pilot and designer Benny Howard lifts the XA-26 off for the type's first flight on July 10, 1943. Note the barrage balloons protecting the field from possible Japanese attack.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Finished in overall matt black, the XA-26A nightfighter displays its truly menacing lines during a test flight above Southern California.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

An A-26C comes in low for a mock attack on troops during a war game in the USA. Note the bomb bay doors wide open, while soldiers scatter beneath the incoming "threat".

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The early-style Invader canopy hinged forward to the open position. As may be seen here, the multi-framed glazing severely restricted the pilots' view.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Perhaps the most familiar Invader to British airshow veterans was A-26C 43-22612/N3710G RG-B (actually c/n 18759), which served with the 9th Air Force in France in 1945. It crashed moments after this photograph was taken at Biggin Hill in 1980, after failing to pull out of a barrel-roll attempted by pilot Don Bullock.
The Cavalier Air Force Douglas A-26 Invader over Biggin Hill seconds before destruction during the Battle of Britain air display on September 21, 1980.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

This head-on view of the YB-26K on the On Mark ramp at Van Nuys illustrates the paddle-bladed propellers, modified T-33 tip tanks, and eight underwing weapons pylons.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

John Lear racks Race 76 around a Reno pylon.
INSET LEFT Banked over in a turn, visibility was not the best from the cockpit of the late Lloyd Hamilton's On Mark Invader N500M, as the large nacelles blocked the view. In 1995 this aircraft was delivered to Greece.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

This dynamic photograph from another Invader shows a B-26 at very low level disgorging a parachute-retarded bomb above a makeshift bridge somewhere in North Korea.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Lloyd Hamilton racing his On Mark Invader N500M Race 16. Lloyd later commented, “If the officials had let me take a load of passengers, I would have made some money. Plus, they would have gotten a great view of the race from the picture windows."

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

This B-26C was assigned to the 199th FS of the Hawaii Air National Guard and was probably used as a target tug.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

This high-angle view of M-261, seen at Oakland, California, in 1960, shows the Indonesian markings clearly.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Douglas engineers quickly responded to pilots' complaints with this finer-framed, bulged Plexiglas unit, which offered greatly increased visibility. Note the port for the flare gun below the canopy.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The Allied invasion of Japan was negated by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. An A-26C-50-DT and a P-47N Thunderbolt await a mission that never happened.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942Republic P-47D-25 / P-47N Thunderbolt - СШАUSA - 1943

This interesting lower view shows the ventral turret, periscope and massive bomb bay of an Invader at the Long Beach factory.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

A large air scoop for the rear-fuselage-mounted General Electric 7E-116-4 jet engine replaced the dorsal turret.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

B-26 44-34538 in French colours at Mitsubishi's Nagoya base en route to Indo-China.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

A Martin KDM-1 Plover target being mounted under the wing of a JD-1D.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

A JD-1D assigned to VU-3. These USN Invaders all had their own unique nose modifications, as well as specially-installed equipment to suit them to their specific mission.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The spirit of late-1950s Invader conversions epitomized: a group of executives exit their 1959 Cadillac Fleetwood to board an On Mark aircraft. Note the paddle-bladed propellers.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Shell Oil flight crew with the XA-26F in 1951. The spinners have been removed, and the four-bladed propellers replaced with standard units.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

This A-26C shows the glazed bombardier's nose with the two recently-fired 0-50in weapons on the starboard side of the fuselage. The guns generated toxic gases, hence the large extractor fan mounted on the upper longeron. Note the rather crude sealing of the nose section to the main fuselage.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The Invader carried a variety of nose armaments during its career, including this deadly octet of 0-50in machine-guns, used extensively for ground strikes during the Korean conflict. Here, Corporal J.C. Lovelace loads up a B-26 for a strike on North Korean targets in September 1950.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The Reynolds Bombshell established two important global flight records.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Nicaraguan B-26B 601, seen here at Managua, took part in the ill-fated Operation Pluto

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The underwing gun packs for the A-26 could increase forward firepower by the addition of eight 0-50in machine-guns. However, parasite drag caused by the packs could decrease speed by as much as 25-30 m.p.h.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

The bombardier's position makes a fine viewing platform.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

A detailed wooden mock-up of the XA-26 was built for inspection by US Army officials. Photographed on April 29, 1941, it had been rapidly constructed. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of the actual aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

An engineer in the nose mock-up, using the navigator's fold-down table. Note how some real items were incorporated into the area, while others were simply marked as what they would be, such as “armor plate".

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Douglas A-26B Invader

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

A manual illustration of the top turret's intercepting areas and margins of interruption.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942

Douglas A-26 Invader

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader - СШАUSA - 1942