Douglas A/B-26 Invader

Performance comparisons














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A-26B Invader versus the B-26K Counter Invader

A-26
571
B-26K
519
Service Ceiling (meters):
A-26
6,735
B-26K
9,144
Maximum Range (km):
A-26
2,092
B-26K
4,345
Production Totals:
A-26
2,452
B-26K
40
Empty Weight (kg):
A-26
10,147
B-26K
0
Maximum Weight (kg):
A-26
15,876
B-26K
17,378

 

Modern comparison - A-26 Invader versus its counterpart, the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

 

Maximum speed

A-26   
 
571
A-10   
 
707
Service Ceiling (meters):
A-26  
 
6,735
A-10   
 
10,575
Maximum Range (km):
A-26   
 
2,092
A-10   
 
763
Production Totals:
A-26   
 
2,452
A-10   
 
713
Empty Weight (kg):
A-26   
 
10,147
A-10   
 
12,700
Maximum Weight (kg):
A-26   
 
15,876
A-10   
 
23,586

 
 
 
g

Comparison between the A-26 Invader and WWII comparibles

Allied aircraft comparison - A-26 versus USAAF singles

MODEL

Douglas A-26B Invader

Curtiss P-40N / Kittyhawk IV

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat

North American P-51D Mustang

ORIGIN

United States

United States

United States

United States

CONTRACTOR

Douglas Aircraft Corporation - USA

Curtiss - USA

Grumman Corporation - USA

North American - USA

TYPE

Light Bomber / Heavy Assault Aircraft

Fighter-Bomber / Fighter Aircraft

Carrier-Borne Fighter-Bomber

Fighter / Fighter-Bomber / Reconnaissance

START

1944

1941

1943

1940

CREW

3

1

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

LENGTH

50.59 ft (15.42 m)

33.46 ft (10.2 m)

33.79 ft (10.3 m)

32.32 ft (9.85 m)

SPAN

70.01 ft (21.34 m)

37.47 ft (11.42 m)

42.65 ft (13 m)

37.04 ft (11.29 m)

HEIGHT

18.50 ft (5.64 m)

12.37 ft (3.77 m)

12.99 ft (3.96 m)

13.65 ft (4.16 m)

EMPTY WT

22,370 pounds (10,147 kilograms)

6,005 pounds (2,724 kilograms)

9,059 pounds (4,109 kilograms)

7,121 pounds (3,230 kilograms)

MTOW

35,001 pounds (15,876 kilograms)

8,858 pounds (4,018 kilograms)

12,597 pounds (5,714 kilograms)

11,601 pounds (5,262 kilograms)

ENGINE

2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 18-cylinder radial engines developing 2,000hp each.

1 x Allison V-1710-81 in-line piston engine generating 1,360hp.

1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp air-cooled radial engine generating 2,000hp.

1 x Packard V-1650-7 Merlin piston engine generating 1,590hp.

 

 

 

 

 

SPEED

355 mph (571 km/h)

378 mph (609 km/h)

380 mph (611 km/h)

437 mph (703 km/h)

RANGE

1,300 miles (2,092 km)

240 miles (386 km)

944 miles (1,520 km)

2,080 miles (3,347 km)

CEILING

22,096 feet (6,735 m)

38,156 feet (11,630 m)

37,300 feet (11,369 m)

41,900 feet (12,771 m)

 

 

 

 

 

ARMAMENT

B-26B:
6 OR 8 x 12.7mm machine guns in forward-fixed nose assembly
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

B-26C:
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose position
6 x 12.7mm machine guns in wings
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

Up to 4,000lbs of internal ordnance with a further 8,000 of under wing ordnance held externally.

Additional:
4 x dual 12.7mm machine gun "packs" underwing (two-guns per pack for a total of eight possible underwing gun positions).
8 OR 14 x 5" rockets
2 x bombs held under wing
2 x fuel tanks held under wing

STANDARD:
6 x 12.7mm M2 Browning air-cooled machine guns

OPTIONAL:
Up to 2,000lbs of external ordnance across thrss hardpoints (centerfuselage and two underwing).

STANDARD (F6F-3, F6F-5):
6 x 0.50 caliber M2 Browning heavy machine guns in wings.

ALTERNATIVE (F6F-5N):
2 x 20mm cannons WITH 4 x .50 caliber machine guns.

OPTIONAL:
2 x 11.75 (298mm) "Tiny Tim" unguided rockets underwing.
6 x 5-inch (127mm) HVAR unguided rockets underwing.
8 x 250lb drop bombs (F6F-5)
4 x 500lb drop bombs (F6F-5)
2 x 1,000lb drop bombs (F6F-5)
1 x 2,000lb drop bomb
1 x Mk 13-3 series torpedo underfuselage centerline.

Up to 4,150lbs of externally-held drop ordnance.

Dependent upon model:
4 x 20mm long-barrel Hispano-Suiza cannons in wings,
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose
4 x 12.7mm machine guns in wings

P-51D:
6 x .50 cal machine guns in wings

Up to 1,000 lbs (454kg) of bombs, rockets or fuel droptanks.

 
 
 
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Allied aircraft comparison - A-26 versus USAAF twins

MODEL

Douglas A-26B Invader

Grumman F7F-4N Tigercat

North American B-25C Mitchell

Northrop P-61B Black Widow

ORIGIN

United States

United States

United States

United States

CONTRACTOR

Douglas Aircraft Corporation - USA

Grumman - USA

North American Aircraft Corporation - USA

Northrop - USA

TYPE

Light Bomber / Heavy Assault Aircraft

Carrier-Borne Nightfighter / Fighter Aircraft

Medium Bomber

Nightfighter / Reconnaissance Aircraft

START

1944

1944

1940

1943

CREW

3

1

5

3

 

 

 

 

 

LENGTH

50.59 ft (15.42 m)

45.28 ft (13.8 m)

52.92 ft (16.13 m)

49.57 ft (15.11 m)

SPAN

70.01 ft (21.34 m)

51.51 ft (15.7 m)

67.55 ft (20.59 m)

65.98 ft (20.11 m)

HEIGHT

18.50 ft (5.64 m)

16.73 ft (5.1 m)

15.75 ft (4.8 m)

14.67 ft (4.47 m)

EMPTY WT

22,370 pounds (10,147 kilograms)

16,270 pounds (7,380 kilograms)

20,300 pounds (9,208 kilograms)

23,451 pounds (10,637 kilograms)

MTOW

35,001 pounds (15,876 kilograms)

25,728 pounds (11,670 kilograms)

34,000 pounds (15,422 kilograms)

36,200 pounds (16,420 kilograms)

ENGINE

2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 18-cylinder radial engines developing 2,000hp each.

2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial piston engines of 2,100 horsepower each.

2 x Wright Cyclone R-2600-19 air-cooled piston engines delivering 1,700hp each.

2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-65 Double-Wasp 18-cylinder radial piston engines developing 2,000hp each.

 

 

 

 

 

SPEED

355 mph (571 km/h)

460 mph (740 km/h)

272 mph (438 km/h)

366 mph (589 km/h)

RANGE

1,300 miles (2,092 km)

1,181 miles (1,900 km)

1,350 miles (2,173 km)

1,350 miles (2,172 km)

CEILING

22,096 feet (6,735 m)

40,354 feet (12,300 m)

24,196 feet (7,375 m)

33,005 feet (10,060 m)

 

 

 

 

 

ARMAMENT

B-26B:
6 OR 8 x 12.7mm machine guns in forward-fixed nose assembly
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

B-26C:
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose position
6 x 12.7mm machine guns in wings
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

Up to 4,000lbs of internal ordnance with a further 8,000 of under wing ordnance held externally.

Additional:
4 x dual 12.7mm machine gun "packs" underwing (two-guns per pack for a total of eight possible underwing gun positions).
8 OR 14 x 5" rockets
2 x bombs held under wing
2 x fuel tanks held under wing

STANDARD:
4 x 20mm M2 cannons in wingroots, two to a wing.
4 x 12.7mm M2 Browning machine guns in underfuselage position, two to a fuselage side (later removed).

OPTIONAL:
2 x 1,000lb bombs
1 x Torpedo

Model-specific armament included:

8 x 12.7mm machine gun array OR 1 x 75mm cannon in forward-fixed nose assembly.

2 x 12.7mm machine guns in forward-fixed lower-left side fuselage position (beneath and behind cockpit position).
2 x 12.7mm machine gun in forward-fixed lower-right side fuselage position (beneath and behind cockpit position).
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in ventral turret (powered turrets in some models).
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in dorsal turret (powered turrets in some models).
1 x 12.7mm machine gun in left waist port position.
1 x 12.7mm machine gun in right waist port position.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in tail gun position (some models removed).
1 x Torpedo in under-fuselage arrangement (model-specific fitting).
8 x 250lb bombs on 8 external hardpoints (model-specific fitting).

Maximum internal bombload of 3,000lbs (1,361 kg).

STANDARD:
4 x 12.7mm Browning M2 machine guns in radio-controlled dorsal turret (some models feature 2 x machine guns; still others delete the turret altogether).
4 x 20mm Hispano M2 cannons in ventral position (fixed forward-firing).

OPTIONAL:
2 OR 4 x 1,600lb bombs underwing (1 x inboard, 1 x outboard of engine to each wing).
6 x 5-inch HVAR unguided rockets underwing
1 x 1,000 bomb centerline fuselage (some models)

PROPOSED LONG-RANGE ESCORT:
4 x 12.7mm Browning M2 machine guns in nose assembly (in place of radar).

 

 
 
 
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Allied aircraft comparison - A-26 versus RAF singles

MODEL

Douglas A-26B Invader

Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Va

Hawker Typhoon IB

ORIGIN

United States

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

CONTRACTOR

Douglas Aircraft Corporation - USA

Hawker - UK

Supermarine - UK

Hawker Aircraft / Gloster - UK

TYPE

Light Bomber / Heavy Assault Aircraft

Carrier-Borne Fighter

Fighter

Ground Attack Aircraft

START

1944

1941

1938

1941

CREW

3

1

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

LENGTH

50.59 ft (15.42 m)

32.25 ft (9.83 m)

29.92 ft (9.12 m)

31.92 ft (9.73 m)

SPAN

70.01 ft (21.34 m)

40.03 ft (12.2 m)

36.84 ft (11.23 m)

41.57 ft (12.67 m)

HEIGHT

18.50 ft (5.64 m)

13.12 ft (4 m)

9.91 ft (3.02 m)

15.32 ft (4.67 m)

EMPTY WT

22,370 pounds (10,147 kilograms)

5,769 pounds (2,617 kilograms)

4,998 pounds (2,267 kilograms)

8,801 pounds (3,992 kilograms)

MTOW

35,001 pounds (15,876 kilograms)

7,740 pounds (3,511 kilograms)

6,418 pounds (2,911 kilograms)

13,250 pounds (6,010 kilograms)

ENGINE

2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 18-cylinder radial engines developing 2,000hp each.

1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin XX V-12 piston engine developing 1,280hp.

1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 liquid-cooled V-12 piston engine generating 1,478hp.

1 x Napier Sabre II-A 24-cylinder sleeve-valve liquid-cooled piston engine generating 2,180hp.

 

 

 

 

 

SPEED

355 mph (571 km/h)

314 mph (505 km/h)

369 mph (594 km/h)

413 mph (664 km/h)

RANGE

1,300 miles (2,092 km)

750 miles (1,207 km)

1,135 miles (1,827 km)

510 miles (821 km)

CEILING

22,096 feet (6,735 m)

34,501 feet (10,516 m)

36,499 feet (11,125 m)

35,203 feet (10,730 m)

 

 

 

 

 

ARMAMENT

B-26B:
6 OR 8 x 12.7mm machine guns in forward-fixed nose assembly
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

B-26C:
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose position
6 x 12.7mm machine guns in wings
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

Up to 4,000lbs of internal ordnance with a further 8,000 of under wing ordnance held externally.

Additional:
4 x dual 12.7mm machine gun "packs" underwing (two-guns per pack for a total of eight possible underwing gun positions).
8 OR 14 x 5" rockets
2 x bombs held under wing
2 x fuel tanks held under wing

4 x 20mm cannon

(A) 8 x 7.7mm machine guns
(B) 4 x 7.7mm machine guns AND 2 x 20mm cannons.
(C) 4 x 20mm cannons
(E) 2 x 20mm cannons AND 2 x 12.7mm machine guns.

INITIAL:
12 x 7.7mm Browning machine guns

STANDARDIZED:
4 x 20mm Hispano cannons (2 to a wing)

OPTIONAL:
2 x 250lb or 500lb bombs underwing
8 x air-to-surface high-explosive rockets underwing

 
 
 
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Allied aircraft comparison - A-26 versus RAF twins

MODEL Douglas A-26B Invader de Havilland Mosquito NF.Mk 30 Bristol Beaufighter VIF Vickers Wellington Mk III
ORIGIN United States United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom
CONTRACTOR Douglas Aircraft Corporation - USA de Havilland - United Kingdom The Bristol Company - UK Vickers - UK
TYPE Light Bomber / Heavy Assault Aircraft Nightfighter / Light Bomber Nightfighter Medium Bomber
START 1944 1942 1939 1938
CREW 3 2 2 5 or 6
         
LENGTH 50.59 ft (15.42 m) 44.52 ft (13.57 m) 41.34 ft (12.6 m) 64.57 ft (19.68 m)
SPAN 70.01 ft (21.34 m) 54.13 ft (16.5 m) 57.91 ft (17.65 m) 86.15 ft (26.26 m)
HEIGHT 18.50 ft (5.64 m) 12.50 ft (3.81 m) 15.88 ft (4.84 m) 16.40 ft (5 m)
EMPTY WT 22,370 pounds (10,147 kilograms) 13,417 pounds (6,086 kilograms) 14,619 pounds (6,631 kilograms) 18,971 pounds (8,605 kilograms)
MTOW 35,001 pounds (15,876 kilograms) 21,627 pounds (9,810 kilograms) 21,627 pounds (9,810 kilograms) 34,000 pounds (15,422 kilograms)
ENGINE 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 18-cylinder radial engines developing 2,000hp each. 2 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 76 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines generating 1,710hp. 2 x Bristol Hercules VI 14-cylinder air-cooled sleeve radials generating 1,635hp. 2 x Bristol Hercules XI radial piston engines generating 1,500hp each.
         
SPEED 355 mph (571 km/h) 407 mph (655 km/h) 333 mph (536 km/h) 255 mph (411 km/h)
RANGE 1,300 miles (2,092 km) 1,299 miles (2,091 km) 1,479 miles (2,381 km) 1,540 miles (2,478 km)
CEILING 22,096 feet (6,735 m) 38,025 feet (11,590 m) 26,519 feet (8,083 m) 18,996 feet (5,790 m)
         
ARMAMENT B-26B:
6 OR 8 x 12.7mm machine guns in forward-fixed nose assembly
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

B-26C:
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose position
6 x 12.7mm machine guns in wings
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

Up to 4,000lbs of internal ordnance with a further 8,000 of under wing ordnance held externally.

Additional:
4 x dual 12.7mm machine gun "packs" underwing (two-guns per pack for a total of eight possible underwing gun positions).
8 OR 14 x 5" rockets
2 x bombs held under wing
2 x fuel tanks held under wing
4 x 20mm Hispano cannons mounted under the nose 4 x 20mm cannons in under nose position
6 x 7.62mm machine guns in wings
2 x 7.7mm machine guns in nose turret
4 x 7.7mm machine guns in tail turret
2 x 7.7mm machine guns in beam positions

Up to 4,500lbs of internal stores.

 
 
 
g

Allied aircraft comparison - A-26 versus Allied four engine 

MODEL

Douglas A-26B Invader

Avro Lancaster B.Mk I

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress

Consolidated B-24J Liberator

ORIGIN

United States

United Kingdom

United States

United States

CONTRACTOR

Douglas Aircraft Corporation - USA

Avro / A.V. Roe - UK

Boeing Company - USA

Consolidated Aircraft / Ford Motor Company / Douglas Aircraft / North American Aviation - USA

TYPE

Light Bomber / Heavy Assault Aircraft

Heavy Bomber

Medium / Heavy Bomber

Medium / Heavy Bomber

START

1944

1941

1937

1941

CREW

3

7

10

7 to 10

 

 

 

 

 

LENGTH

50.59 ft (15.42 m)

69.49 ft (21.18 m)

74.74 ft (22.78 m)

67.16 ft (20.47 m)

SPAN

70.01 ft (21.34 m)

102.00 ft (31.09 m)

103.74 ft (31.62 m)

110.01 ft (33.53 m)

HEIGHT

18.50 ft (5.64 m)

20.01 ft (6.1 m)

19.09 ft (5.82 m)

18.01 ft (5.49 m)

EMPTY WT

22,370 pounds (10,147 kilograms)

36,901 pounds (16,738 kilograms)

36,136 pounds (16,391 kilograms)

36,500 pounds (16,556 kilograms)

MTOW

35,001 pounds (15,876 kilograms)

69,999 pounds (31,751 kilograms)

72,003 pounds (32,660 kilograms)

65,001 pounds (29,484 kilograms)

ENGINE

2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 18-cylinder radial engines developing 2,000hp each.

4 x Rolls-Royce Merlin XXIV V-12 water-cooled piston engines generating 1,640hp each.

4 x Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 radial piston engines generating 1,200 hp each.

4 x Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 radial piston engines generating 1,200 horsepower each.

 

 

 

 

 

SPEED

355 mph (571 km/h)

287 mph (462 km/h)

287 mph (462 km/h)

290 mph (467 km/h)

RANGE

1,300 miles (2,092 km)

2,529 miles (4,070 km)

2,001 miles (3,220 km)

2,001 miles (3,220 km)

CEILING

22,096 feet (6,735 m)

24,508 feet (7,470 m)

35,597 feet (10,850 m)

28,002 feet (8,535 m)

 

 

 

 

 

ARMAMENT

B-26B:
6 OR 8 x 12.7mm machine guns in forward-fixed nose assembly
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

B-26C:
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose position
6 x 12.7mm machine guns in wings
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

Up to 4,000lbs of internal ordnance with a further 8,000 of under wing ordnance held externally.

Additional:
4 x dual 12.7mm machine gun "packs" underwing (two-guns per pack for a total of eight possible underwing gun positions).
8 OR 14 x 5" rockets
2 x bombs held under wing
2 x fuel tanks held under wing

2 x 7.7mm machine guns in nose
2 x 7.7mm machine guns in dorsal turret
4 x 7.7mm machine guns in tail turret

18,000 lbs of internal ordnance

STANDARD (Most Models):
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in powered dorsal turret
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in powered "belly" turret
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in tail gun position
1 x 12.7mm machine gun in left front "cheek" position.
1 x 12.7mm machine gun in right front "cheek" position.
1 x 12.7mm machine gun in left waist position
1 x 12.7mm machine gun in right waist position
1 x 12.7mm machine gun at radio operator's midship position (removed on later models).

B-17G:
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in powered chin turret

Maximum internal bombload of 7,983 kg (17,600 lbs).

B-24D:
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose turret
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in tail turret
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in dorsal turret
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in ventral ball turret
1 x 12.7mm machine gun in left-waist fuselage position.
1 x 12.7mm machine gun in right-waist fuselage position.

Up to 8,800lbs of internal ordnance.

 
 
 
g

Aircraft comparison - A-26 versus Axis singles

MODEL

Douglas A-26B Invader

Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 Wurger (Shrike)

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-7

Messerschmitt Me 262A-1

ORIGIN

United States

Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany

CONTRACTOR

Douglas Aircraft Corporation - USA

Fock-Wulf - Germany

Messerschmitt - Nazi Germany; Avia - Czechoslovakia; Hispano - Spain

Messerschmitt - Germany

TYPE

Light Bomber / Heavy Assault Aircraft

Fighter / Bomber

Fighter-Bomber

Fighter

START

1944

1939

1935

1944

CREW

3

1

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

LENGTH

50.59 ft (15.42 m)

33.46 ft (10.2 m)

28.67 ft (8.74 m)

34.78 ft (10.6 m)

SPAN

70.01 ft (21.34 m)

34.45 ft (10.5 m)

32.35 ft (9.86 m)

41.01 ft (12.5 m)

HEIGHT

18.50 ft (5.64 m)

10.99 ft (3.35 m)

11.15 ft (3.4 m)

12.47 ft (3.8 m)

EMPTY WT

22,370 pounds (10,147 kilograms)

7,694 pounds (3,490 kilograms)

4,440 pounds (2,014 kilograms)

8,378 pounds (3,800 kilograms)

MTOW

35,001 pounds (15,876 kilograms)

10,688 pounds (4,848 kilograms)

6,100 pounds (2,767 kilograms)

14,110 pounds (6,400 kilograms)

ENGINE

2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 18-cylinder radial engines developing 2,000hp each.

1 x Junkers Jumo 213A-1 inverted V piston engine generating 1,776hp.

1 x Daimler-Benz 1,200 hp DB 605A liquid-cooled inverted V12-cylinder piston engine.

2 x Junkers Jumo-004B Turbojet Engines delivering 1,984lbs of thrust.

 

 

 

 

 

SPEED

355 mph (571 km/h)

426 mph (685 km/h)

359 mph (578 km/h)

541 mph (870 km/h)

RANGE

1,300 miles (2,092 km)

519 miles (835 km)

680 miles (1,094 km)

652 miles (1,050 km)

CEILING

22,096 feet (6,735 m)

39,370 feet (12,000 m)

36,499 feet (11,125 m)

37,730 feet (11,500 m)

 

 

 

 

 

ARMAMENT

B-26B:
6 OR 8 x 12.7mm machine guns in forward-fixed nose assembly
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

B-26C:
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose position
6 x 12.7mm machine guns in wings
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

Up to 4,000lbs of internal ordnance with a further 8,000 of under wing ordnance held externally.

Additional:
4 x dual 12.7mm machine gun "packs" underwing (two-guns per pack for a total of eight possible underwing gun positions).
8 OR 14 x 5" rockets
2 x bombs held under wing
2 x fuel tanks held under wing

STANDARD:
2 x 13mm machine guns
2 x 20mm cannons

OPTIONAL:
External payload of up to 1,102lbs (500kg)

1 x 20mm cannon in propeller hub
4 x 7.9mm machine guns (2 in engine cowling; 2 in wings)

Provision for one bomb under fuselage.

Variants listing below covers armament variation in other models.

STANDARD:
4 x 30mm MK 108 Cannons

OPTIONAL:
External Bombload of up to 1,200lbs

Other armaments of later models included:
2 x 20mm Cannons (in addition to existing 4 x 30mm cannons)
24 x Air-to-Air Unguided High-Explosive Rockets

 
 
 
g

Aircraft comparison - A-26 versus Axis twins

MODEL

Douglas A-26B Invader

Dornier Do17 (Flying Pencil)

Heinkel He 111H-16

Junkers Ju 88A-4

ORIGIN

United States

Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany

CONTRACTOR

Douglas Aircraft Corporation - USA

Dornier - Germany

Heinkel - Germany

Junkers - Germany

TYPE

Light Bomber / Heavy Assault Aircraft

Medium Bomber

Medium Bomber

Medium Bomber / Dive Bomber

START

1944

1937

1936

1939

CREW

3

5

5

4

 

 

 

 

 

LENGTH

50.59 ft (15.42 m)

51.84 ft (15.8 m)

53.81 ft (16.4 m)

47.24 ft (14.4 m)

SPAN

70.01 ft (21.34 m)

59.06 ft (18 m)

74.15 ft (22.6 m)

65.62 ft (20 m)

HEIGHT

18.50 ft (5.64 m)

14.93 ft (4.55 m)

11.15 ft (3.4 m)

15.91 ft (4.85 m)

EMPTY WT

22,370 pounds (10,147 kilograms)

11,486 pounds (5,210 kilograms)

19,136 pounds (8,680 kilograms)

21,738 pounds (9,860 kilograms)

MTOW

35,001 pounds (15,876 kilograms)

18,940 pounds (8,591 kilograms)

30,865 pounds (14,000 kilograms)

30,865 pounds (14,000 kilograms)

ENGINE

2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 18-cylinder radial engines developing 2,000hp each.

2 x BMW Bramo 323P Fafnir air-cooled engines generating 1,000hp.

2 x Junkers Jumo 211F inverted V-12 piston engines generating 1,350hp each.

2 x Junkers Jumo 211J-1 OR 211J-2 series V12 engines generating 1,340hp.

 

 

 

 

 

SPEED

355 mph (571 km/h)

255 mph (410 km/h)

271 mph (436 km/h)

280 mph (450 km/h)

RANGE

1,300 miles (2,092 km)

204 miles (329 km)

1,212 miles (1,950 km)

1,696 miles (2,730 km)

CEILING

22,096 feet (6,735 m)

26,903 feet (8,200 m)

21,982 feet (6,700 m)

26,903 feet (8,200 m)

 

 

 

 

 

ARMAMENT

B-26B:
6 OR 8 x 12.7mm machine guns in forward-fixed nose assembly
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

B-26C:
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose position
6 x 12.7mm machine guns in wings
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in remote-controlled ventral barbette.

Up to 4,000lbs of internal ordnance with a further 8,000 of under wing ordnance held externally.

Additional:
4 x dual 12.7mm machine gun "packs" underwing (two-guns per pack for a total of eight possible underwing gun positions).
8 OR 14 x 5" rockets
2 x bombs held under wing
2 x fuel tanks held under wing

4 to 8 x 7.92mm MG 15 machine guns in nose, dorsal turret, ventral turret and beam gunner positions.

OPTIONAL:
1 or 2 x 20mm FF cannons (night-fighter derivatives).

Between 1,000lbs and 2,200lbs of internal ordnance depending on model variant (see variants).

1 x 20mm MG FF cannon in nose position
1 x 13mm MG 131 machine gun in dorsal position
2 x 7.92mm MG 15 machine guns in rear of ventral gondola position.
2 x 7.92mm MG 81 machine guns in two beam positions.

Maximum bombload of up to 4,409lbs held internally and up to 4,409lbs fitted externally.

7 x 7.92mm MG15 OR MG81 type machine guns in nose, dorsal and ventral gun positions.

Up to 7,935lbs of externally and internally carried stores.

 

Go to the "Miltary Factory" for the original data
















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