Watch Great Planes Season 2 Episode 5 Online

The A-26 Invader was introduced in October, 1944, and was involved in every conflict that followed until finally retired in 1969. There was no other airplane quite like it. It was a twin-engine medium bomber or ground attack aircraft that excelled at both tasks. The famous B-17 heavy bomber could carry about 8,000 pounds of bombs and could make a top speed of about 270 miles per hour. The A-26 carried half that load at 350 miles per hour and, with emergency boosters, up to more than 370. The ground attack version carried eight .50 caliber machine guns in the nose. The top turret carried two more and could be aimed ahead to supplement the eight fixed guns. With cheek packs added, the total came to eighteen heavy machine guns.