A-26

[tedrbr]

If they are gonna keep the B-25 and B-29 threads going, then it's time for my favorite temper-tantrum-I-wanna-I-wanna-ride....


A-26B-60-DL Invader
Specifications
General characteristics
* Crew: 3
* Length: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
* Wingspan: 70 ft 0 in (21.34 m)
* Height: 18 ft 3 in (5.64 m)
* Wing area: 540 ft² (50 m²)
* Empty weight: 22,850 lb (10,365 kg)
* Loaded weight: 27,600 lb (12,519 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 35,000 lb (15,900 kg)
* Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 "Double Wasp" radials, 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) each

Performance
* Maximum speed: 355 mph (308 knots, 570 km/h)
* Range: 1,400 mi (1,200 nm, 2,300 km)
* Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
* Rate of climb: 1,250 ft/min (6.4 m/s)
* Wing loading: 51 lb/ft² (250 kg/m²)
* Power/mass: 0.145 hp/lb (108 W/kg)

Armament
* Guns:
o 8 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 machine guns in the nose
o 6 × 0.50 in M2 machine guns in the wings
o 2 × 0.50 in M2 machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal turret
o 2 × 0.50 in M2 machine guns in remote-controlled ventral turret
* Bombs: 6,000 lb (2,700 kg)-4,000 lb in the bomb bay and 2,000 lb external on the wings


(Compared to Martin B-26 Marauder's Crew of 7; Length: 58 ft 3 in (17.8 m); Wingspan: 71 ft 0 in (21.65 m); Height: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m); Wing area: 658 ft² (61.1 m²); Empty weight: 24,000 lb (11,000 kg); Loaded weight: 37,000 lb (17,000 kg); Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 radial engines, 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) each)
B-26 Speed: 287 mph at 5,000 ft; 21,000 ft service ceiling; 2,480 nm (2,850 mi, 4,590 km) range; Wing loading: 46.4 lb/ft² (228 kg/m²); Power/mass: 0.10 hp/lb (170 W/kg)
B-26 Ordanance:  4,000 lbs ordanance, 8 - .50's in 5 turrent positions, and 6(?) in the nose)

The first prototype first flew July 10, 1942.  Douglas began delivering the production model A-26B in August 1943.  Invaders began arriving in England in September 1944 for assignment to the 9th Air Force and entered combat two months later on Nov. 19.  Invaders appeared in the Pacific Theater in January 1945. (I have no idea why it took so long to field this bird).

These things didn't retire from U.S. Service until 1972. They saw action in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and as aerial tankers for forest fighting (as in the 1989 Steven Spielberg film, Always) through to modern times.

Definately a late war bomber and a perkable ride.

Ultimate straffers.... fun with the town and field upgrades we see now. Great vs GV's.... could even be used to intercept other bombers.  Shorter ranged than B-26's, which leaves their ord strats more vulnerable to attacks, but otherwise a great fun ride for buff drivers.

Don't need the dorsal turrent locked to the pilot's guns, as some reports the plane was capable of doing, leave the two turrents like the normal system AHII has now, just outfit with the 14 forward facing .50's (loaded with API) and 6K worth of bombs, and that performance ride.


Iwant Iwant Iwant Iwant Iwant

     

[Mr No Name]

I'd fly it w/o bombs as i did in airwarrior! (I used to call it my BIG P38 lol)

[hubsonfire]

The ultimate HO ride. I'd love to see this one added.

[tedrbr]

I think it'd be a real treat for buff drivers.

Other threads have refered to the A-26 as a souped up A-20, but being faster, flying further, carrying more ord, far more ammo, and being considered "tougher" all would help the A-26 survive in a LW arena full of fighters.

It would be a good ride against GV's.  Since it's presence would probably increase the number of buffs in use to gain perks for it, the A-26 could consequently be pressed into service as a buff interceptor.... I think an Invader w/o ord would be great in that role.  Might be real effective in deack role and taking towns.  

I'd love to see the look on a Niki pilot's face who tried to HO an A-26.   I might even have to change my sig to  "HoMePlz!"  if we ever get the Invader.

Those forward facing guns would have to set up as primary and secondary fire.... I'd hope so anyways, to increase overall firing time by using different banks seperately some of the time.  Or switch between those banks and bombs.  Not unreasonable for an attack plane like this.

[Ghosth]

Early release lightly perked version for the Mid War arena. Later war heavy load version for the late war arenas.

Would dearly love to fly this here.

[tedrbr]

Originally posted by Ghosth
Early release lightly perked version for the Mid War arena. Later war heavy load version for the late war arenas.

Would dearly love to fly this here.

Actually, I'm not positive what years are considered mid-war and late-war by HT.

There was a early version of the A-26 that did not mount wing ord, it had wing mounted .50 cals in pods, rather than later ones that were mounted in the wing itself, to allow the extra ord to be carried.

So, if 1944 rates as mid war still, then I'd agree, offer a mid-war version..... need not model the gun pods, just do not allow wing mounted ord as an option would be the simpliest course to take.

But for mid-war and late war, such a plane would have to have a decent perk cost associated with it.  Maybe even higher in Mid-war due to it's capabilities (even if short 2K of ord).