Rock Island Oil & Refining Co., Kansas conversion prototype Monarch 26 Prototype serial number: 44-35911 The company purchased six surplus Invaders (ex-French AF aircraft that had served in Indochina) out of the Clark Field storage facility. The original Invader airframe was extensively reconfigured with re-contouring and extensive re-skinning. In order to provide for more interior cabin space, an new wing spar was designed to replace the original straight-through configuration and new upper and lower fuselage structures were extended from the rear spar to the fin root fillet. The new cabin could accommodate up to six passengers in a low-density arrangement, and featured floor heating, a restroom, catering facilities, and panoramic windows. There was an airstair door on the rear starboard side. The extended nose was 30 inches longer than the original. Because of a fear of wing failures, the Rock Island engineers decided not to add wingtip fuel tanks, but added additional fuel cells in the outer wing panels, which raised the total fuel capacity to 1012 US gallons. The cockpit was fitted with dual controls, new instrument and overhead panels, and "metalized" double-paned cockpit canopies. Anticipating more orders, Rock Island acquired 30 more surplus Invader airframes, this time from storage at Davis Monthan AFB. However, the Monarch had only limited success in the corporate aircraft marketplace, with only 4 being completed, including three in-house.     Consort 26 Prototype serial number: 44-34121 The Consort 26, was designed for research and development purposes. All military equipment was removed, the bomb bay was sealed up, and a reinforced floor was added. Three Invader airframes were modified in this way and were sold or leased to aerospace companies as platforms for system development programs.

	Rock Island Oil & Refining Co., Kansas conversion development Oddly named company had an aviation division that in the 1960s produced the very attractive Monarch-26s. The company purchased several dozen surplus Invaders and moved them to their aviation facility at Hutchinson, Kansas. A number of Rock Island aircraft were built up and they were basically stock looking but had a lengthened nose, passengers cabin with extra windows, and upgrade cockpit and avionics. Monarch 26 - 1960's, longer nose, systems upgrades. The Monarch 26 was a corporate aircraft conversion performed by the Rock Island Oil and Refining Co of Wichita, Kansas. The company purchased six surplus Invaders (ex-French AF aircraft that had served in Indochina) out of the Clark Field storage facility. The original Invader airframe was extensively reconfigured with re-contouring and extensive re-skinning. In order to provide for more interior cabin space, an new wing spar was designed to replace the original straight-through configuration and new upper and lower fuselage structures were extended from the rear spar to the fin root fillet. The new cabin could accommodate up to six passengers in a low-density arrangement, and featured floor heating, a restroom, catering facilities, and panoramic windows. There was an airstair door on the rear starboard side. The extended nose was 30 inches longer than the original. Because of a fear of wing failures, the Rock Island engineers decided not to add wingtip fuel tanks, but added additional fuel cells in the outer wing panels, which raised the total fuel capacity to 1012 US gallons. The cockpit was fitted with dual controls, new instrument and overhead panels, and "metalized" double-paned cockpit canopies. Anticipating more orders, Rock Island acquired 30 more surplus Invader airframes, this time from storage at Davis Monthan AFB. However, the Monarch had only limited success in the corporate aircraft marketplace, with only 4 being completed, including three in-house. In addition, the Monarch found itself in competition with the first generation of corporate jets such as the Sabreliner, Jetstar, and Learjet. The majority of excess airframes that had been acquired were sold to parts brokers in 1969 but several examples went on to serve as aerial tankers in the USA and Canada. Some also ended up as flying warbirds, museum exhibits, and potential restoration projects. Rock Island capitalized on its experience with Invader conversions by creating the Consort 26, which was designed for research and development purposes. All military equipment was removed, the bomb bay was sealed up, and a reinforced floor was added. Three Invader airframes were modified in this way and were sold or leased to aerospace companies as platforms for system development programs. Airframes that were "purchased" by Rock Island Oil & Refining Serial number: 44-35643 Serial number: 44-35371 Serial number: 44-34390 Converted 1960 Serial number: 44-34602 Converted 1987 Serial number: 44-35911 Converted 1960 Serial number: 41-39561 Serial number: 44-34612, Serial number: 41-39467 Serial number: 44-34146 Serial number: 44-34615 Serial number: 44-35893 Serial number: 44-35217 Serial number: 44-34736 Serial number: 44-35682 Converted Serial number: 44-34725 Serial number: 44-35964 Serial number: 43-22374 Serial number: 44-34749 Serial number: 44-34609 Serial number: 44-35505 Serial number: 44-34697 Serial number: 44-34592 Serial number: 44-35994 Serial number: 44-35752

	Rock Island Oil & Refining Co., Kansas conversion production Serial number: 44-35643 Serial number: 44-35371 Serial number: 44-34390 Converted 1960 Serial number: 44-34602 Converted 1987 Serial number: 44-35911 Converted 1960 Serial number: 41-39561 Serial number: 44-34612, Serial number: 41-39467 Serial number: 44-34146 Serial number: 44-34615 Serial number: 44-35893 Serial number: 44-35217 Serial number: 44-34736 Serial number: 44-35682 Converted Serial number: 44-34725 Serial number: 44-35964 Serial number: 43-22374 Serial number: 44-34749 Serial number: 44-34609 Serial number: 44-35505 Serial number: 44-34697 Serial number: 44-34592 Serial number: 44-35994 Serial number: 44-35752

	N6838D

	N6839D

	N6840D Executive interior installed, exterior paint applied; N6840D as the completed MONARCH 26 prototype -1959. N6840D at Hutchinson, Kansas during conversion 1959

	N6841D

	Misc. Airframes

	Associated reading Development of the Monarch 26 in pictures - Interiors Development of the Monarch 26 in pictures - Engineering Spirit of "North Carolina" Rock Island Oil & Refining Co. Airframes Access and Air stairs Wheels and Brakes

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