Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3223
RB-26C Invader
E.R.P. 1/32 "Armagnac"
early 1957

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.
Canopy can be removed to place figures inside.
3 figures 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.

This RB-26C Invader was assigned to the French E.R.P. 1/32 (Escadron de
Reconnaissance 1/32 Photographique Armagnac). This aircraft previous flew with the USAF
183rd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Night Photo) and the 117th Tactical
Reconnaissance Wing, Alabama Air National Guard. The French Armee de L’Air used this
type of aircraft mostly in North Africa against an Algerian insurrection. In 1962 this aircraft
was converted to an RB-26P with 6 French made cameras and a more rectangular shaped
window on the left side of the nose. This aircraft survived until 1967.

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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