Douglas A/B-26 Invader

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Above, 11/11/1951

Serial #: 44-35950
Construction #:29229
Civil Registration:
  N67148
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26B

Aero Trader B-26
Name: None
Status:
Last info: Crashed nr Union City OK, Oct 3rd 1955

 

History:

Converted to Aero Trader B-26 N67148

Great Lakes Carbon Corp

Crashed, 3rd Oct 1955, 2 Mi NW Union City, OK 

Multi-millionaire George Shakel and his wife Ann, parents of Ethel Skakel Kennedy (wife of Robert Kennedy), were killed when N67148 crashed near Union City, Oklahoma. Witnesses reported seeing the plane flying low with both engines on fire shortly before the crash.
The plane's crew also died in the crash.

I had a really useful mail from Alan Pike regarding the above accident
 
You have 44-35950 the only Aero Trades conversion being converted to Garrett Turbo props at some late date.
 
My father was a corporate pilot flying out of Bridgeport Airport in the early 1950’s.  I believe Joe Whitney may have been
at my fifth birthday on Oct 1, 1955.
 
On Oct 3, 1955 44-35950 blew up in flight with Joe Whitney at the controls.  Joe had left GLC to pursue a new career in architecture.
He had designed his own house as part of that.  Another pilot was on vacation and they asked Joe if he could come back and fill in. 
Sadly he did.
 
Thank you for a wonderful site.  These are singular airplanes.
 
Alan Pike

44-35950 Oct 3, 1955 Air accident report

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Serial #: 44-34756 
Construction #:
Civil Registration:
  NL67157

Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26C

Name:
Status:
Last info: 2010

 

History: Sold on civilian market as N67157.
To CEV in France in 1951 for weapons
tests as 157. Re numbered with USAF
serial Mar 1959. SOC 1968. 
 

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Above, N67160 in 1952

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Serial #: 44-34765
Construction #: 28044
Civil Registration:
  N67160
  D-CAFY
Model(s):
  A-26B
  On Mark Marketeer
Name: Mission Completed
Status: Display/Restoration
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Delivered to Reconstruction Finance Corp as 44-34765
- Immediately put up for dispossal, 1945.
Sperry Gyroscope Co, Great Neck, NY, 1954-1964.
- Registered as N67160.
R.C. Johnson, Las Vegas, NV, 1966.
International Commercial Aviaition Service, Kennedy International Airport, NY, 1969-1970.
W. Rall, Munich, Germany, Aug. 1970.
- Registered as D-CAFY.
- Leased to Antwerpe Kreesten Central, Antwerp, 1969.
Impounded, parked in open, Antwerp, Belgium, 1972-1974.
Musee Royal de l'Armee, Brussels, Belgium, 1976-2002.
- Undergoing restoration but still on display.

Additional information: The aircraft was leased by Antwerpe Kreesten Central, which housed lobsters imported from all over Europe. Since transportation costs were also part of the price per lobster, it was decided in 1968 to transport lobsters from Europe to Antwerp using the companies own transport.

The aircraft was bought in December 1968 and registered D-CAFY. In 1969, the company started with lobster flights between Turkey and France and Antwerp. At the end of 1969, it was parked at Antwerp for so long, that it was chained for failure to pay landing and parking fees. After more than ten years the aircraft was donated to the Brussels Air Museum.

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The two shots above were sent to me by Matt Cooper, Matt writes:
I just found your website for the Douglas A-26.  It is fantastic!  My father, the late Dick Cooper, purchased A-26 N917Y (ex N67163, N163Y) in 1990.  He died unexpectedly in 1993 and my mother later donated the plane to a museum in 1997.  The A-26 has been disassembled and stored indoors for the last 10 years or so with no additional work having been done other than the initial prep for restoration.  Ownership is changing again, so hopefully restoration will finally begin in the near future.

I was 14 years old when my dad purchased N917Y and it became a big part of our lives together.  We both accompanied the ferry pilot (Hugh Glassburn) on the ferry flight from Rockford, Illinois to Everett, Washington-a 2 day trip encompassing 8 hours of flying.  I have continued a career in aviation, currently flying B737s for Alaska Airlines in Seattle, Washington.  My true passion however are old planes.  I have been fortunate to fly a number of seasons in DHC-2 floatplanes and 2 years hauling cargo in Beech 18s.

Attached are two photos from our ferry flight in September 1990.  The first shows my dad and I in front of N917Y just prior to departure from Rockford.  The second is during a fuel stop in Rapid City, South Dakota.  I apologize for the low quality scans of the photo prints.

Thank you for all the work you have put into your website.  I plan on spending many hours checking it out!

Matt Cooper

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The above shot was taken by Glen Chatfield at Rockford IL in 1988

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The above shot was sent in by Steve Taylor

Serial #: 44-34774
Construction #: 28053
Civil Registration:
  N(L)67163
  N163Y
  N910Y

N917Y
Model: A-26B

On Mark conversion
Name:
None
Status: Unknown
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Delivered to Reconstruction Finance Corp as 44-34761
- Immediately put up for dispossal, 1945.
Standard Oil Co, Chicago, IL, 1949-1954.
- Registered as N67163.

To On Mark Engineering, Van Nuys, CA with c/r N163Y. Standard Oil Co Of Indiana, Chicago, IL, 1961-1964.
- Registered as N163Y.
Pan American Petroleum Corp, Tulsa, OK, 1965.
Standard Oil Co Of Indiana, Chicago, IL, May 31, 1965.
Nine Ten Corp, Chicago, IL, Aug. 4, 1965.
- Registered as N910Y.
Greenacres Farm Inc, Lexington, KY, 1966-1972.
- Registered as N917Y.
Joel McNeal, San Diego, CA, 1977-1984.
Courtesy Aircraft Inc, Rockford, IL, 1985.
Bob Collings/Collings Foundation, Stowe, MA, Mar. 1985-1990.
Warbirds & Vehicles Inc, Seattle, WA, Nov. 1990-1995.
The Air Station, Arlington, WA, June 25, 1997-2002.

13th Jan 2010 to Aero-Trans Corp BA, Ocala, FL

Purchased by Peter Garraty and partner, they have formed an LLC in the US, Blue Pacific Air Group (BPAG) The refurbishment should take two years and they are hoping for a first flight in 2014

 

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Serial #: 44-35948
Construction #: 29227
Civil Registration:
  N67164
  N1244
  N910H
  N161H
  C-GHLX
Model(s):
  A-26C
  B-26C
Name: None
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Delivered to Reconstruction Finance Corp, Oct, 26, 1945.
Stanolind Oil & Gas Co, OK, 1954.
- Registered as N67164.
Pan American Petroleum Corp, Tulsa, OK, 1961-1964.
- Registered as N1244.
Standard Oil Co of Indiana, Chicago, IL, May 31, 1965.
Nine Ten Corp, Chicago, IL, Aug. 4, 1965-1966.
- Registered as N910H.
Motorola Inc, Scottsdale, AZ, 1969-1970.
- Registered as N161H.
- Fitted with side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) belly antenna.
Grumman Ecosystems Corp, Bethpage, NY, Aug. 5, 1970-1974.
Conair Aviation Ltd, Abbotsford, BC, July 1975-1987.
- Registered as C-GHLX.
- Flew as tanker #32.
Air Spray Ltd, Red Deer, Alberta, 1990-2002.
- Flew as tanker #32.

Note

NTSB Identification: FTW68A0001
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Event occurred Thursday, July 06, 1967 in TULSA, OK
Aircraft: DOUGLAS A-26C, registration: N910H

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 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-0311   67/7/6    TULSA,OKLA          DOUGLAS A-26C       CR-  0  0  2  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0901                    N910H               PX-  0  0  2  CORP/EXEC                 AGE 51, 9688 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            2427 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TULSA INTL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           WHEELS-UP                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ASSURE THE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: OTHER
           SYSTEMS - HYDRAULIC SYSTEM: OTHER
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- INTERNAL LEAK IN LNDG GR POSITION SELECTOR VALVE CAUSED INCREASED LNDG GR EXTENSION TIME.

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Above shows the red and grey phillips B-26 44-34770

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Serial #: 44-34770
Construction #:
Civil Registration:
  N67814
 
Model(s):
  A-26B
 
Name:
Status:
Last info:

 

History:
Phillips Petroleum
Pacific Northern Airlines (research)

Arthur G. Woodley started a one plane charter service called "Woodley Airways" between Anchorage and South West Alaska in April 1932. He was given a U.S. postal contract to carry the mail there. Soon he was given permanent certificates for routes from Kodiak to Bristol Bay and the Kuskokwim River. Woodley Airways became known as "Pacific Northern Airways in 1945.  

       The name was changed to "Pacific Northern Airlines" in 1947, and the Douglas A-26 B's, NV956 and NL67814 flew survey routes

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The above shot was very kindly sent in by Don Felton

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And finally,her resting place at Hehrabad, Teheran, Iran

When Bill Odom started to look for sponsors to finance his round the world flight and a friend suggested he contact Milton Reynolds - the ball-point pen king. Reynolds, one of the first to mass produce the ball-point pen, was enjoying tremendous success and making very large sums of money. In February 1947, after a few minutes of phone conversation, Bill was asked how soon he could get to Chicago to discuss the round the world flight! The meeting produced an agreement, but not the one Bill had in mind. Reynolds agreed to sponsor the flight but, being interested in publicity for himself, he insisted on being on the flight. Odom left the meeting with a check for $11,500 to buy an airplane. Noted for doing his homework, he knew exactly what airplane he wanted: A Douglas A-26 Invader. This aircraft had a large bomb bay which could contain extra fuel tanks while the Pratt & Whitney R-2800s were extremely reliable.
A Douglas A-26 Invader. This aircraft had a large bomb bay which could contain extra fuel tanks while the Pratt & Whitney R-2800s were extremely reliable. An A-26 normally carried 1000 gallons of fuel, but Bill wanted to add another 1000 gallons to increase the aircraft's range. The Douglas engineers he contacted said if he added another 1000 gallons the airplane would not lift off. However, Bill flew the plane to Teterboro, New Jersey, where three tanks were installed to hold the additional fuel. The name Reynolds Bombshell was painted on the nose of the aircraft along with Little Willy, possibly the name of his son. Bill considered this flight a shake-down for his planned solo round the world flight. Bill Odom was listed as pilot, Tex Salee was navigator, and Milton Reynolds was the passenger. The flight was launched on 12 April 1947, from LaGuardia Field at 5:31 pm. Bill had no trouble lifting off with his full load of fuel - he really wasn't concerned about it as he was planning his next flight with even more fuel. He flew to Gander for the first stop. Approaching Gander, the autopilot failed and the plane had to be flown manually for the balance of the flight. From Gander they flew to Europe and on to Cairo where he made the only mistake of the trip by landing at a military airport instead of the municipal airport. He also blew a tire on landing, which caused a several-hour delay. The trio was greeted by government officials at the airports. Milton Reynolds showered them with many ball-point pens. These officials, in return, showered many expensive gifts on the crew such as wrist watches, Persian rugs and other items which they were unable to carry in the airplane. Bill and Tex took turns flying the airplane. While Tex was listed as navigator, Bill had his sextant with him and actually did all the navigating. Bill reportedly carried very few charts as he was well acquainted with global navigation. The American public, tired of the years of war news, was eager to hear news of the round the world trip. Newspapers carried large headlines of the flight's progress and it was estimated that up to 100-million people knew Bill Odom's name and were following his progress. The flight arrived back at LaGuardia on 16 April to a very large crowd - Bill Odom was now an American hero. Soon after the flight, Odom, Reynolds and Salee were invited to the White House where President Truman awarded each a citation. While Bill was pleased with the flight, he still wanted to do it solo. So he approached Reynolds and asked to use the plane for a solo attempt on the world record. Much to his surprise, Reynolds agreed. Bill arrived at O'Hare Airport on 4 August 1947. The solo attempt would takeoff and return to Chicago's O'Hare Airport - the decision to use O'Hare was based on the field's longer runways which Bill would need due to the extra fuel he was going to carry. In addition to the extra 1000 gallons of fuel, this flight would carry an additional 460 gallons for a total 2460 gallons of fuel - weighing 15,000 pounds. Early Warbird collector Earl Reinert said, "the tires were so flat from the extra weight that it looked like the wheel rims were touching the runway." A few hours before his departure, Bill walked over to where Earl was preparing his P-38 for the Bendix Race. Bill introduced himself to Jane Page, the very attractive pilot of the P-38. Jane had been a World War Two ferry pilot and knew about almost any military aircraft or Air Force base. During this conversation, Bill said he had entered a Republic YP-47M Thunderbolt (see Air Classics March 2002) in the Bendix Race and would see them at Van Nuys - the Bendix was just 23 days away. Bill taxied out, turning very slowly, to keep the tires from coming off the rims. He used all 6000 feet of runway to become airborne and as he passed over the first few streets he was less than 150 feet high. He headed north for Gander but, as he approached Gander, he started losing aileron control. He felt the only choice was to return to O'Hare and by the time he arrived back at O'Hare there was almost no aileron control left. An inspection found one aileron cable tom loose. He also discovered a disengaged carburetor heat linkage. This could have spelled disaster later in the flight. The repairs were made and the second attempt was launched - this time there were no mechanical problems. Bill's goal on this trip was to knock ten hours off his first flight time. To do this, Bill refused to eat or sleep while on the ground. The only sleep he managed to get was some short naps while on autopilot. This practice was almost his undoing - while flying near Edmonton, Canada, he woke up at 4000 feet looking up at a mountain only a few miles away. This shock kept him awake the rest of the way to O'Hare. The solo flight was accomplished in 73 hours, 5 minutes - a record that still stands today for piston-engine aircraft.
 

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Above, when she was with Colorado Interstate Gas, Colorado Springs, Co

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Above, when she was with Colorado Oil & Gas Corp, Denver, CO

Serial #: 44-34759
Construction #: 28038
Civil Registration:
  NX67834
  N67834
  N28W
  N956
  N956R
Model(s):
A-26B
Slick Conversion A-26B
Name: None
Status: Displayed
Last info: 2001

 

History:
Delivered to Reconstruction Finance Corp as 44-34759
- Immediately put up for dispossal, 1945-1946.
Milton Reynolds, 1947-1948.
- Registered as NX67834.
- Flown as "Reynolds Bombshell".
- Around world flight Records.
-- Pilot Bill Odom, Apr. 12-16, 1947.
-- Bill Odom solo, Aug. 7-10, 1947.
Philips Drilling Corp, San Antonio, TX, 1949-1954.
- Registered as N67834.
- Executive conversion, Slick Airways, San Antonio, TX, Oct. 1949.
- Equipped with 4 passnger cabin.
Earl F. Slick/Piedmont Airline, 1951-1953.
Jack Davis, NC, Dec. 1955.
- Advertised for sale.
Registered as N28W
Colorado Interstate Gas, Colorado Springs, Co, 1959-1964.
- Registered as N956.
Colorado Oil & Gas Corp, Denver, CO, 1966.
- Registered as N956R.
Northrop Corp, Newbury Park, CA, 1969-1972.
Jerry Cornell, Teheran, Iran, 1977.
Bell Helicopter International Inc, Tehran, Iran, 1978.
Open Storage, Tehran, Iran, 1976-1986.
Aerospace Exhibition Centre, Hehrabad, Teheran, Iran, 1997-2001.
- Displayed.

This A-26 was one of the brand new, never AAF accepted Invaders that went direct from Douglas to Kingman, to the RFC for disposal. There is no AAF record card for the airplane since it was never accepted. Charles Babb purchased a bunch of them for $2000 each...brand new airplanes with the cushions still wrapped in plastic, or so I've heard. This A-26 went to Milton Reynolds and registered with his company then, the Printasign Corp. of America. After his round-the-world 1947 flights with Bill Odom at the controls, it went to Phillips Drilling in 1948. They had a large window installed in the aft fuselage and a cabin door installed.

In 1954 it went to Earl Slick of Slick Airways, of Burbank, CA. Aviation Power Supply of Burbank installed the tip tanks in January 1956, and also did some other fuel system work and other modifications. In July 1956 On Mark at Glendale installed a weather radar unit with the radome on the nose. In October 1956, a company in Denver replaced the Bendix brakes with new Goodyear brakes. In August 1957, On Mark did some aft fuselage mods, including lowering the aft floor. In July 1961, On Mark did some more fuel tank work. In March 1967, the airplane went to the Ventura Division of Northrop, and pylons were installed to handle "Horkey Moore launcher" rails to mount RP-78 targets. Not sure about these items but it appears the Invader was used as a launcher of new target drones. Shortly afterwards, or maybe when the wing racks were added, the airplane went to On Mark again to have fatigue straps added to the front wing spars and shear plates added to the rear spars, and the wing structure and attach points were also inspected with the wings and engines off the fuselage.

In 1973 the airplane was apparently in Tehran, Iran, for what purpose, who knows? It was sold by Northrop in March 1973 to three partners, Jerry Cornell, Lloyd Shipley, and Paul Warren, initial Bill of Sale shows the address as "c/o Iran Aircraft Industries, Tehran" and later, this is crossed out and shows "c/o Bell Helicopter Industries, Tehran".

In October 1974 it was sold by Cornell to five, apparently, USAF officers: a Maj. Patrick O'Donnell and Capts. Edward Hopkens, George Casares, Roger Reece, and Charles Miller, for $2000. Their address was the
Mehrabad/ghaleh Morghi Airport, this included spares. This bill of sale was never processed by the new owners and the FAA contacted Cornell to determine why he hadn't responded to its routine request for information about the airplane. The FAA eventually revoked the registration.

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Serial #: 44-34755
Construction #: 28034
Civil Registration:
  N67839
  N256H
  N3035S
Model:

A-26B-66-DL

B-26B

On Mark Marketeer   

Name: None
Status: Unknown
Last info: 2010

Courtesy of
Richard E Fulwiler

 

History:

Delivered to Reconstruction Finance Corp as 44-34755
Immediately put up for disposal, 1945.
Superior Oil Co Inc, Chicago, IL, 1954.
to civil registry  - N67839  
Converted to On Mark Marketeer ( circa 1959 )
Ken McGee Oil Industries Inc.
Flint Steel Corp, Tulsa, OK, 1963.
Registration changed to - N256H
Mid America Pipeline Co ( MAPCO, Inc. ), Tulsa, OK, 1966
See link: Exchanged registrations with Marksman 41-39221,  June, 1968 from N256H - to - N3035S
John Rourke, Bartlesville, OK, 1969.
Registered as N3035S
Intercontinental Mining, New York, NY, 1970-1972.
Rebel Aviation Inc, Atlanta, GA, Mar 6, 1976-1977.
Removed from USCR, 1978.
 

 

A question of two aircraft with one identity. When, why, how, who ? An investigation by Richard E Fulwiler

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Serial #: 44-34757
Construction #:
Civil Registration:
  N67907
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26B
Name: None
Status:
Last info: Crash 17 Sept 1965 nr Scottsbluff. Nb.

Aircraft was not adequately equipped for airframe ice. Pilot-entered area of known icing conditions.

3 Fatalities

 

History:  Banner Oil, Inc

Note
NTSB Identification: MKC66A0019
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Event occurred Friday, September 17, 1965 in SCOTTSBLUFF, NE
Aircraft: DOUGLAS A-26, registration: N67907

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 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
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2-0877  65/9/17  NR.SCOTTSBLUFF,NEBR   DOUGLAS A-26        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2009                    N67907              PX-  2  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 AGE 57, 10846 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 94 IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SCTTSBLUFF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIRAL                                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
          PILOT-ENTERED AREA OF KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRFRAME ICE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - ICING CONDITIONS-INCLUDES SLEET,FREEZING RAIN,ETC.
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFING RECEIVED-METHOD UNKNOWN
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          PARTIAL OBSCURATION                                       500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          DRIZZLE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       37
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          140                                                       8
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      IFR
        REMARKS- ACFT NOT ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED FOR AIRFRAME ICE.

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The above shot was supplied by Leif Hellström, via Bill Larkins

Serial #: 44-34758
Construction #: 28037
Civil Registration:
  N67908
Model: A-26B

Grand Central Air Terminal B-26
Name: None
Status: Stored
Last info: 1972

 

History:
Delivered to Reconstruction Finance Corp as 44-34758, .
- Immediately put up for dispossal, 1945.
Charles H. Babb Co, Glendale, CA, Feb. 6, 1946-1948.
- Purchase as surplus sale, Kingman Field, AZ, Feb. 1946.
- Registered as NL64908.
Ford Motor Co, Detroit, MI, Feb. 6, 1948-1952.
- Registered as N67908.
- Converted to executive transport, Grand Central Air Terminal, 1948 as prototype
- Fitted with underwing fuel tanks.
Delivered to l'Armee de l'Air as 908/44-34758, Feb. 4, 1952.
- Withdrawn from use, stored at Chateaudun AB, France, Aug. 1967-1972.

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Serial #: 44-34778
Construction #: 28057
Civil Registration:
  N67943
  C-GWLT
Model: A-26B
Name: None
Status: Airworthy
Last info:

 

History:
Raytheon Manufacturing Co, Bedford, MA, 1954-1972.
- Registered as N67943.
Air Spray Ltd, Red Deer, Alberta, May 1975-2002.
- Registered as C-GWLT.
- Flown as tanker #7 (later #98).

 

 

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Serial #: 44-34390
Construction #: 27669
Civil Registration:
  N6836D
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26C
  Monarch 26
Name: None
Status: Unknown
Last info: 1978

 

 

History:
Delivered to French AF as 44-34390.
- BOC: Feb. 16, 1954.
- Based in Indochina.
- Returne to USAF, Nov. 10, 1955.
Open storage, Clark AFB, Phillippines, 1955-1958.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1959-1969.
- Registered as N6836D.
- Converted to Monarch 26 configuration, Hutchinson, KS, 1960.
Wells Aircraft Inc., Hutchinson, KS, 1970-1972.
Stored in EPA compound, Las Vegas, NV, 1975-1976.
Edron Co., Las Vegas, NV, 1977.
Aircraft Associates, Long Beach, CA, Apr. 13, 1978.

Thought to have been lost during smuggling operations.

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Serial #: 44-35440
Construction #: 28719
Civil Registration:
  N6838D
  CF-MSB
  C-FMSB
Model(s):
  A-26C
  B-26B
  Consort 26
Name: None
Status: Display
Last info: 2008

 

History:
Delivered to French AF as 44-35345.
- BOC: Feb. 16, 1954.
- Based in Indochina.
- Returned to USAF, Oct. 22, 1955.
- Open storage, Clark AFB, Philippines, 1955-1958.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1966-1971.
- Registered as N6838D.
- Converted to Consort 26, Hutchinson, KS.
Aero Union Corp, Chico, CA, 1971.
Conair Aviation Ltd, Abbotsford, BC, June 1971-1988.
- Registered as CF-MSB.
- Flew as tanker #325.
- Registered as C-FMSB, 1977.
USAFM, Travis AFB, 1988-1999.
- Displayed as 435440/BG-O.

On loan from USAFM to the Cuban Society at Wings over Miami 2008, Displayed as "931" as flown in the Bay of Pigs conflict

 

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Serial #: 44-34538
Construction #: 27817
Civil Registration:
  N6839D
  N34538
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26B
  Consort 26
Name: Feeding Frenzy
Status: Airworthy*
Last info: 2010

 

History:
Delivered to French AF as 44-34538, Jan. 3, 1951-1955.
- Based in Indochina.
- Returned to USAF, Oct. 22, 1955.
Open Storage, Clark AFB, Philippines, 1955-1958.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co., Wichita, KS, 1964
- Registered as N6839D.
- Converted to Rock Island Consort 26 configuration, Hutchinson, KS.
Hughes Aircraft Co., Culver City, CA, 1966-1987.
- Fitted with extended radome nose for missile sensor flight tests.
Gower Lebel Inc., Seattle, WA, 1988-1990.
A & T Productions, Inc., Pacific Palisades, CA, May 1990-1997.
- Registered as N34538, Sep. 1990.
- Restored and fitted with A-26C nose.
- Flown in USAF black scheme.
- Flown as 434538/BC-538 "Feeding Frenzy"
Ron Kent, Kelowma, BC, Mar. 12, 1997.
Martin Aviation Inc, Santa Ana, CA, Apr. 12, 1999-2004.

Lyon Air Museum, Orange County California

http://www.lyonairmuseum.org/

 

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N6840D at Hutchinson, Kansas during conversion 1959
 
 

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Executive interior installed, exterior paint applied; N6840D as the completed MONARCH 26 prototype -1959.

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Above two shots show N6840D in 1968

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Above shot, circa 1965, is her time while being owned by Magnolia Homes.
 
 

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Above, Courtesy of Bill Bailey

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Above, "6840" at Long Beach in '68

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N6840D at Van Nuys in Feb 76/78
Clarification by the guys at "WIX"
 
 
 
 

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Above, Van Nuys in 1976/78

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Above, Tucson Arizona 1978
 
 
 
 
 

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Above, March 1981

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The above shot taken in May 1995, Breckenridge, Texas, was
supplied by John L. Dienst, Ohio

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The above shot was supplied by Sanda More and taken from her dad Dick "Sarge" Rawlings  collection

Serial #: 44-35911
Construction #:
  29190
Civil Registration:
  N6840D
Model(s):
  A-26C
  B-26C
  Monarch 26
Name: Spirit Of N.C.
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Delivered to l'Armee de l'Air as 44-35911.
- BOC: Jan. 3, 1951.
- Based in Indochina.
- Returned to USAF, Oct. 22, 1955.
Open storage, Clark AFB, Philippines, 1955-1958.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1959-1964.
- Registered as N6840D.
- Rebuilt as prototype Monarch 26, Hutchinson, KS, 1959.
- First flight, Sept. 1959.
Magnolia Homes Manufacturer Corp, Vicksburg, MS, 1966.
- Nose gear locked up during landing, Oklahoma, OK, Dec. 8 1967.
Aero Specialties Inc, Long Beach, CA, 1969-1970.
Westinghouse Credit Corp, Brynmawr, PA, 1972.
Milt Slollak, Burbank, CA, 1977.
Stephen L. Miles, Carmel Valley & Salinas, CA, Oct. 1983-1988.
- Flew as 435911/D-RG/High Ballin.
Courtesy Aircraft Inc, Rockford, IL, Jan. 1989-1990.
Coleman Warbird Museman, Coleman, TX, 1992-2000.
- Flew as 435911/Bandido in camo scheme.
George W. Lancaster, Wilmington, NC, 2001-2002.
- Flies as black usaf/435911/Spirit of NC.

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Serial #: 44-35643
Construction #: 28922
Civil Registration:
  N6841D
  C-GCES
  N8015H
  N226RW
  N626SH
Model(s):
  A-26C
  RB-26C
  Monarch 26
Name: Daisy Mae
Status: Restoration
Last info: 2003

 

History:
Delivered to French AF as 44-35643.
- BOC: Apr. 10 1954.
- Based Indochina.
- Returned to USAF, Oct. 22, 1955.
Open Storage, Clark AFB, Philipines, 1955-1958.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1959-1969.
- Registered as N6841D.
- Converted to Monarch 26, Hutchinson, KS.
Hodge Laboratories Inc, Wichita, KS, 1970.
- Landed with gear up, Hutchinson, KS, Oct. 20, 1971.
William K. Mayfield, Halstead, KS, 1972.
Robert Diemet, Carmen, Manitoba, Oct. 14, 1973-1979.
- Registered as C-GCES, Oct. 1974.
Confederate Air Force, Harlingen, TX, June 1979-1984.
- Registered as N8015H.
Confederate Air Force, Pine Bluff, AR, Feb. 1984-1991.
- Registered as N226RW.
CAF/Commemorative Air Force, Midland, TX, Sept. 1991-2003.
- Flew as 4435643/Daisy Mae/A.
- Registered as N626SH, Jan. 1999.
- Currently undergoing complete rebuild.

Note

NTSB Identification: MKC72DCQ35
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Event occurred Wednesday, October 20, 1971 in HUTCHINSON, KS
Aircraft: DOUGLAS A-26C, registration: N6841D

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4458  71/10/20   HUTCHINSON,KANS     DOUGLAS A-26C       CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1027                    N6841D              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      44, 9931 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            1058 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HABIT
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WICHITA,KANS                HUTCHINSON,KANS
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           WHEELS-UP                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ASSURE THE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED
        REMARKS- NO GR MALFUNCTION FOUND.

n6843djun74.jpg

June 74, courtesy of Tom Singfield

Serial #: 43-22374
Construction #: 18521
Civil Registration:
N6843D
Model(s):
A-26B
B-26B
Name: None
Status: Restoration
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1966.
- Registered as N6843D.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed.
- Stored unconverted, Hutchinson, KS, 1960-1974.
Consolidated Aero Export, Los Angeles, CA, 1969-1972.
Military Aircraft Restoration Corp, Chino, CA, 1973-1993.
- Ferried to Chino, 1974, from storage at Hutchinson, KS.
- Open storage MARC compound, Chino, 1986-1993.
Baron Thomas, AZ, 1994.
Michael Hay, Chino, CA, 1994 - Restoration to airworthy started.
Robert Farlow, Mount Hood, OR, Sept. 19, 1996-2002.
- Stored dismantled, Aurora, OR, 1999-2000.
- Trucked to Chino, CA for restoration, Dec. 2000.
- Restoration to airworthy continued.

 
 
 
All information attached to these images was supplied by http://www.warbirdregistry.org/a26registry/a26registry.html
















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