| Douglas A-26 Invader | |
|---|---|
_Invader_USAF.jpg) | |
| Role | Attack aircraft andmedium bomber |
| National origin | USA |
| Manufacturer | Douglas |
| First flight | 1942 |
| Introduction | 1943 |
| Status | Out of service |
| Primary user | USA |
| Produced | Out of production |
| Number built | 2450 examples |
TheDouglas A-26 Invader is a twin-enginedattack aircraft. It was used by theUnited States Army Air Force. It was also used inFrance andUK. The 'Invader' was used inWorld War II, theKorean War, and theVietnam War by theUnited States. TheFrench used it in theAlgeria War. After1948 itsrole in the US was changed from an attack aircraft to abomber aircraft. The letter 'A' (for attack) in its name was changed to a 'B' (for bomber). It became theB-26 Invader. This caused some confusion because the Air Force already had theMartin B-26 Marauder, which was a different aircraft. Some A-26 Invaders were used during the 1950s by theUnited States Forest Service to fightforest fires.[1] In this role the plane was used to put out wildfires from the air by dropping firstborate, then later water and other retardants.
