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 A26/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 13th Bomb Squadron sailed from San Francisco and reached Australia on
March 10, 1942.
The squadron acquired some B-25s and began training until April 6, 1942 when
they were ready
for combat. As time went on the 13th moved north and bombed the Philippines and
Japanese
shipping. In late July, early August 1945 the 13th were equipped with A-26 and
shortly thereafter
moved to Okinawa. After the Japanese surrender the 13th BS moved to Atsugi Japan
on October
10, 1945 as part of the occupation forces. A-26 44–34374 c/n 27653 was lost
on July 3, 1951
during the Korean War while on a night-mission dropping anti-personnel mine
“butterfly bombs”.
- True 1/72 Scale
- Professionally painted
- Great attention to detail
- All markings are Tampoed (pad applied)
- Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.
- Highly collectable