A-26 Invader

[Yossarian]

It's been way too long since the last A-26 request.  So, here goes:



Here's a link to a very recent post with videos about the A-26:
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,247368.0.html

And here's the video website itself:
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/MATINEE.html

Now, as for why I think we should have this aeroplane at some point in the near future (i.e. ASAP ):

a) It came out in 3rd place in the vote HiTech Creations held, below the B-25 (first place) and the P-39 (second place).  We have had both the B-25 and P-39 added already, so it makes sense that the A-26 be added sooner rather than later.  In my opinion, the other planes which came after the A-26 should be added after the A-26 itself, for the simple reason that the vote represents what the players of this game want.  The results of that vote are in this thread:
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,202838.0.html

b) It would be a very popular aeroplane amongst many players.  Whilst I am aware that there are a lot of people who want the He-111, the speed, survivability and firepower of the A-26 Invader would give it a very prominent role as a light bomber.

c) The A-26 is a good enough aeroplane in my view that it would be worthy of a perk point price.  If this were the case, it would give us all a much-needed way to spend our bomber perks (aside from the Ar-234, which at the end of the day is rather limited in its usefulness).

Now for some stats about the A-26B (Number built: 1355):

"Armament (Typical for early block A-26B): Two .50-cal. machine guns in a dorsal barbette, two .50-cal. machine guns in a ventral barbette and various combinations of forward-firing weapons: 75mm cannon, 37mm cannon and .50-cal. machine guns, plus provisions for 6,000 lbs. of bombs (4,000 lbs. internal and 2,000 lbs. external on wing racks); (Typical for early/mid block A-26B): Two .50-cal. machine guns in a dorsal barbette, two .50-cal. machine guns in a ventral barbette, and six forward-firing .50-cal. machine guns in the nose, plus provisions for 6,000 lbs. of bombs (4,000 lbs. internal and 2,000 lbs. external on wing racks), aircraft could be fitted with up to four wing-mounted gun pods each housing a pair of .50-cal. machine guns; (Typical for late block A-26B): Two .50-cal. machine guns in a dorsal barbette, two .50-cal. machine guns in a ventral barbette (sometimes omitted in favor of an extra fuel cell), eight forward-firing .50-cal. machine guns in the nose, and six .50-cal. machine guns in the wings, plus provisions for 6,000 lbs. of bombs (4,000 lbs. internal and 2,000 lbs. external on wing racks, 14 5-inch rockets could be carried in place of the wing-mounted bombs
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 radials of 2,000 hp each
Span: 70 ft. 0 in.
Length: 50 ft. 0 in.
Height: 18 ft. 6 in.
Weight: Approx. 35,000 lbs. gross takeoff weight
Maximum speed: 355 mph
Cruising speed: 284 mph
Range: 3,200 miles maximum ferry range
Service ceiling: 22,100 ft.
Crew: Three (pilot, navigator/cannon loader, gunner)
Serial numbers: 41-39100 to 41-39151; 41-39153 to 41-39192; 41-39194; 41-39196 to 41-39198; 41-39201 to 41-39599; 43-22252 to 43-22303; 43-22305 to 43-22307; 43-22313 to 43-22345; 43-22350 to 43-22466; 44-34098 to 44-34753"
All the above stats are from this website: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3060


Here are some links containing information on the A-26:

http://www.warbirdalley.com/a26.htm

http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=91

http://members.tripod.com/a26invader/

[Denholm]

I disagree for reasons stated in the past. We have plenty of American bombers and attack planes in the plane-set. It's time we looked at countries lacking (Russia, Italy, Japan, and Germany).

[waystin2]

+1 to the A-26.  Let HTC decide priority.

[Yossarian]

I disagree for reasons stated in the past. We have plenty of American bombers and attack planes in the plane-set. It's time we looked at countries lacking (Russia, Italy, Japan, and Germany).

Good point, but I think there's two different things to balance here.  Firstly, the category of bombers in AH overall, and as you say the various countries the planes come from.  In my opinion, you're definitely right about needing more bombers from other countries, however I think that a more pressing need is that of another perked bomber - that seems to be a far more serious hole in the plane set right now, and one which cannot be compensated for in any way.  IMO the A-26 fulfills all the requirements to be a perked bomber, and adding it would patch a major gap in the plane set.

[cobia38]

  Build it..... and they will come   

[caldera]

Bring it on.  Would like the glass nose Mossie as another possible perk bomber. "Nigh uncatchable."

[saantana]

A lot of other planes are needed more and earlier. HTC needs more coading powaaaaaaaaa!

[1Boner]

A lot of other planes are needed more and earlier.

Needed by who?

[Saxman]

Needed by who?

The value of an aircraft is NOT decided by its utility in the Mains.

FSO/AVA/Special Events has a FAR more pressing need for the:

Ki-43
G4M
Ki-44
He-111
Beaufighter

than we have for yet ANOTHER late-war monster plane. You're talking five of THE most important players in their respective theaters--the Ki-43, G4M and He-111 ESPECIALLY--that are missing from the game. So tell me, why should a plane that saw only limited action towards the very end of the war take precedence over aircraft that had a SIGNIFICANT impact?

[1Boner]

The value of an aircraft is NOT decided by its utility in the Mains.

I do beleive you are correct!

Look at the B-25,P-39 and the Brewster!!

Late war monsters indeed!

[AWwrgwy]

+1 to the A-26.  Let HTC decide priority.

Perhaps he already has....

 

wrongway

[jolly22]

I disagree for reasons stated in the past. We have plenty of American bombers and attack planes in the plane-set. It's time we looked at countries lacking (Russia, Italy, Japan, and Germany).

G55!!

[Karnak]

Bring it on.  Would like the glass nose Mossie as another possible perk bomber. "Nigh uncatchable."

Mosquito B.Mk XVI would probably need a bit of a perk price.  It can carry a 4000lb 'cookie' about as fast as the Ar234 can go when laden.

Mosquito B.Mk IV would not need to be perked.

[waystin2]

Perhaps he already has....

 

wrongway

Possibly, I really do not know.  I just get a little irked at all the "we need insert plane or vehicle name here before the plane/vehicle that the thread is requesting" responses.  If you want a plane or vehicle added, then request it. There, all better now....rant over.

[whiteman]

I do beleive you are correct!

Look at the B-25,P-39 and the Brewster!!

Late war monsters indeed!

and all three have filled in holes for the events Saxman listed.