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Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>A-26>HA3227

B-26K Counter Invader "Special Kay" AF64-679, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018
General Background
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 Aircraft
During the 1960s On Mark engineering modified 40 B-26 aircraft, formerly A-26s, to perform night interdiction missions in Laos. One of the 40 aircraft to be converted was B-26K serial No. 64-17679 “Special Kay” that flew missions in Europe during WWII and later for the CIA. Later in the US it was used as a B-26K combat trainer. In 1972 AF64-679 was surplus and 1977 sold to fight fires in Canada. In 1978 the pilot crash landed ruining landing gear and props but 9 years later it was saved and rebuilt making it the only airworthy B-26K.
Specifications :
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