Hobby Master Archive

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.

The 416th Bombardment Group was activated on February 5, 1943 and was comprised of the 668th, 669th, 670th and 671st Bombardment Squadrons. The 416th BG was equipped with A-20 Havoc aircraft until November 1944 when they converted to the Douglas A-26 Invader. Throughout December 1944 and January 1945 the group took part in the Battle of the Bulge by attacking transportation facilities, communication centers and German strong points and troop concentrations. In February 1945 they continued their actions against German facilities as the Allied forces moved into Germany. In March 1945 they bombed flak positions to aide airborne troops in their assault across the Rhine. This softening of German forces continued until May 1945. Throughout 1944 and 1945 the group was stationed in France at Melum Airfield (A-55) between September 1944 and February 1945 when it moved to Laon/Athies Airfield (A-69). In May 1945 the 416th BG moved to Cormielles en Vexin Airfield (A-59) where they stayed until July 1945. In October 1945 the group returned to the U. S. and was inactivated on October 24, 1945.

Specifications Douglas A-26B Invader First flight - July 10, 1942 Crew - 3 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 each producing 2,000 hp Maximum speed @ 15,000 ft - 355 mph Ceiling - 22,100 ft Range - 1,400 miles Armament 6 x 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine guns in nose 2 x 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine guns in ventral turret 2 x 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine guns in dorsal turret 6,000 lbs of bombs 8 x 127 mm (5-inch) rockets

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3205 A-26B Invader 670th BS, 416th BG, France 1945

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. Dorsal turret can turn. Bomb bay can be opened with 6 bombs included. Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic. Highly collectable.