Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3206
Douglas A/B-26C Invader
FAR-917, Cuban Air Force, 1961
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.

The Cuban Air Force owned 18 Douglas B-26B/C Invaders from 1956 until 1961. They were
assigned to Escuadron de Bombarderos Ligeros located at Campo Brihuegas/La Habana.
During the “Bay of Pigs” invasion in April 1961 the B-26C FAR 917 c/n 29011 was flying its
last sortie against the invading Cuban exiles when it was hit by friendly fire. The aircraft was
flown by Chilean instructor Legas who managed to make a forced landing while still carrying
four 250kg bombs. FAR 917 was ex-USAF 44-35732 and arrived in Cuba in November 1956.

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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