Douglas A/B-26 Invader

Rock Island Oil & Refining Co. Airframes












HOME | SUB INDEX | Preface | Features | Site Navigation | Reg'n cross ref. | S/No's & Prod'n codes | MILITARY VARIANTS - History, Data & Photos | CIVIL VARIANTS - History, Data & Photos | About the author/Contact | Info Req'd | LATEST





 
 
 
 
f

Development of the Monarch 26 - Page 1

Rock Island Oil & Refining Co., Kansas conversion:
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.

Serial #: 44-34602
Construction #: 27881
Civil Registration:
  N8392H
  N167B
Model(s):
  A-26B
  TA-26B
  TB-26B
  VB-26B
  Rock Island Monarch 26
Name: Sugarland Express
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Delivered to USAF as 44-34602.
- SOC: July 1, 1958.
- Stored at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ.
Jack Lysdale Flying Service, St. Paul, MN, 1964.
- Registered as N8392H.
Stahmann Farms Inc., Las Cruces, NM, 1966-1987.
- Conversion to Rock Island Monarch 26 configuration started, Hutchinson, KS.
- Finished by Hamilton Aircraft, Tucson, AZ.
RLS 51 Ltd, San Francisco, CA, 1987-2001.
- Restored to military configuration with 8 Gun nose, Grand Junction, CO, 1987.
- Delivered Oslo, Norway, May 1988
- Registered as N167B, Feb. 1989
- Operated by Scandinavian Historical Flight, Oslo, Norway
- Flies as 434602/BC-602 Sugarland Express.
Joda LLC, Town And Country, MO, Feb. 8, 2001-2002.

Serial #: 44-34121
Construction #: 27400
Civ. Registration:
  N4805E
  C-GHZM
Model(s):
  A-26B
  Consort 26
  STOL 26
Name: None
Status: Stored
Last info: 2007

 

History:
Delivered to USAAF as 44-34121
- Stored at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ, Mar. 6, 1958.
- Surplused, June 11, 1958.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1969.
- Registered as N4085E.
- Converted to Rock Island Consort 26 configuration, Hutchinson, KS.
Koch Industries Inc, Wichita, KS, 1972
Reeder Flying Service, Twin Falls, ID, 19??.
- Converted to tanker but not used.
Lynch Air Tankers, Billings, MT, 1975-1992.
- Flown as tanker #58.
- Converted to Lynch STOL 26 configuration by Lynch.
Jerry Slater, Seattle, WA, Sept. 25, 1992.
Tony N. Grout, Spanaway, WA, ?Aug. 10, 1993-2000.
Air Spray Ltd, Red Deer, Alberta, Jan. 18, 2001-2007.
- Registered as C-GHZM.
- Stored Red Deer, 2001-2002.
- Engines and control services removed.
- Marked as tanker #58.

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.

Serial #: 44-34615
Construction #: 27894
Civil Registration:
  N4817E
Model(s):
  A-26B
  VB-26B
Name: None
Status: Unknown
Last info: 1975

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1966.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not started.
- Registered as N4817E.
Consolidated Air Parts Co, Los angeles, CA, 1969.
Hamilton Aircraft Co, Tucson, AZ, 1968-1969.
Delivered to FA Brazil as B-26C/5173, June 1969-1975.
- Rebuilt by Hamilton Aircraft Co, Tucson, AZ for FAB, 1969.

Serial #: 44-34146
Construction #: 27425
Civil Registration:
  N5426E
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26B
Name: None
Status: Destroyed
Last info: 1976

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1966-1969.
- Registered as N5426E.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 configuration not completed.
Aeronautical Services Corp, Cheyenne, WY, 1964.
Don A. Goodman, Missoula, MT, 1969-1976.
- Forced landing off airport, Idaho Falls, ID, July 10, 1973.
- Crashed and destroyed after striking a mountain during a fire bombing run, Grand Valley, CO, July 16, 1976.
- Goodman killed.

Serial #: 44-34749
Construction #: 28028
Civil Registration:
  N4823E
  N4959K
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26B
  B-26C
Name: Puss In Boots
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1966.
- Registered as N4823E.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed.
Hamilton Aircraft, 1968-1969.
- Converted to B-26C standard.
Delivered to FA Brasiliera as B-26C/5174, June 1969-1975.
ESPAer, Sao aulo, Brazil, Dec. 1975 - Instructional airframe, later derelict.
Don Davis/Tired Iron Inc, Casper, WY, Sept. 1984.
- Ferried from Brazil to US, 1984.
- Rebuilt as "Puss In Boots".
Guarantee Federal Bank, Casper, WY, 1987.
Airplane Sales International, Beverly Hills, CA, Aug. 1987-1988.
Abrams Airborne Manufacturing, Tucson, AZ, Oct. 1989-2002.
- Flew as USAF/85/Puss In Boots.
- Later flown as USAF/O-434749/BC-749/Puss In Boots.

Serial #: 44-34609
Construction #: 27888
Civil Registration:
  N4819E
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26B
Name: None
Status: Stored
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960.
- Registered as N4819E.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed.
John Hamacher, San Francisco, CA, 1963-1969.
Thomas W. Hammon, Phoenix, AZ, 1970.
Global Air Museum, 1972.
- Stored at Litchfield Park, AZ.
Don Underwood/Donaire Inc, Phoenix, AZ, Feb. 1981-1996.
Dawn R. Adrian, Phoenix, AZ, Apr. 4, 1996-2002.

Open Storage, configured as tanker, Buckeye, AZ, 1978-2002.

Serial #: 44-35893
Construction #: 29172
Civil Registration:
  N4812E
  C-GHCC
Model(s):
  A-26C
  B-26C
Name: No Sweat
Status: Destroyed
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Delivered to USAAF as 44-35893.
- Delivered to Davis Monthan AFB Tucson, for storage, Nov. 1956.
- Sold as surplus, June 11, 1958.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1966.
- Registered as N4812E.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed.
- Open storage, unconverted, Hutchinson, KS.
Consolidated Aero Export Corp, Los Angeles, CA, 1969-1972.
Conair Aviation Ltd, Abbotsford, BC, May 1974-1982.
- Registered as C-GHCC.
- Flown as tanker #31.
Air Spray Ltd, Red Deer, Alberta, 1982-2000.
- Flown as tanker #31/No Sweat.
- Burnt tail section in compound, Red Deer, 2001-2002.

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: 1999

 

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.

Serial #: 44-35217
Construction #: 28496
Civil Registry:
  N4820E
  CF-FIM
  C-FFIM
Model(s):
  A-26C
  B-26C
Name: None
Status: Crashed
Last info: 1984

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960.
- Registered as N4820E.
- Planned converstion to Monarch 26 not completed.
Flight Enterprises Inc, Prescott, AZ, 1963-1972.
- Flew as tanker #C29.
Air Spray Ltd, Edmonton, Alberta, May 1973-1983.
- Registered as CF-FIM.
Air Spray Ltd, Red Deer, Alberta, 1983-1984.
- Registered as C-FFIM.
- Flew as tanker #5.
- Crashed near Calgary, Alberta, after suffering wing failure, July 13, 1984.

Serial #: 44-34612
Construction #: 27891
Civil Registration:
  N4814E
Model(s):
  A-26B
  VB-26B
Name: None
Status: Stored
Last info: 1972

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1966.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not started.
- Registered as N4814E.
Allied Aircraft Sales Corp, Tucson, AZ, 1969-1972
- Stored derelict & unconverted, marked as 444612, Tucson, AZ, 1969-1970.

Serial #: 44-34592
Construction #: 27871
Civil Registration:
  N8631E
  CF-FJG
  C-FFJG
Model(s):
  A-26B
  TA-26B
  TB-26B
Name: None
Status: Crashed
Last info: 2001

 

History:
Delivered to USAF as 44-34592
- To Davis Monthan AFB for storage, Dec. 1957.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1964-1966.
- Registered as N8631E.
- Planned convertion to Monarch 26 configuration not completed.
- Open storage, Hutchinson, KS.
Consolidated Air Parts Corp, Los Angeles, CA, 1969.
Da Pro Rubber Inc. Van Nuys, CA, 1970-1972.
Mercury Flights, Edmonton, Alberta, Apr. 1973.
- Registered as CF-FJG.
Convair Aviation Ltd, Abbotsford, BC, June 1974.
- Registered as C-FFJG.
- Flew as tanker #329.
- Destroyed by fire after forced landing, Sept. 29, 1974.
Tailplane and parts stored in Aero Trader Yard, Octillo Wells, CA, 1997-2001.

Serial #: 44-35964
Construction #: 29243
Civil Registration:
  N4813E
Model(s):
  A-26C
  B-26C
Name: None
Status: Destroyed
Last info: 1988

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1963
- Registered as N4813E.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed.
Aim Aviation Inc, Houston, TX, 1966-1970.
Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV, 1975-1977.
Edward G. Counselman/Combat Air Museum, Topeka, KS, 1984-1988.
- Flew in camoflague scheme.
- Crashed and destroyed, Cinmarron, NM, June 26, 1988.
-- Counselman killed.

Serial #: 41-39561
Construction #: 7274
Civil Registration:
  N6837D
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26B
Name: None
Status: Unknown
Last info: 1972

 

History:
Delivered to French AF as 41-39561.
- BOC: Feb. 16, 1954.
- SOC: Nov. 17, 1955.
- Returned to USAF.
Open Storage, Clark AFB, Philipines, 1955-1958.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Houston, TX, 1960-1966.
- Registered as N6837D.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26, not completed.
- Open Storage, unrestored, Hutchinson, KS.
Consolidated Aero Export, Los Angeles, CA, 1969-1972.

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.

Serial #: 44-35892
Construction #: 29171
Civil Registration:
  N4811E
Model(s):
  A-26C
  B-26C
Name: None
Status: Static Display
Last info: 1988

 

History:
Delivered to French AF as 44-35892.
- BOC: July 1, 1954.
- Based in Indochina.
- Returned to USAF, Aug. 23, 1954.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1959-1966.
- Registered as N4811E.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed.
- Open storage, unconverted, Hutchinson, KS.
Consolidated Aero Export Corp, Los Angeles,CA, 1969-1972.
Frank E. Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, Peublo, CO, May 1972-2001.
- Displayed as USAF/4435892.

Serial #: 44-35994
Construction #: 29273
Civil Registration:
  N4822E
Model(s):
  A-26C
  TB-26C
Name: None
Status: Stored
Last info: 1979

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1966
- Registered as N4822E.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed.
Allied Aircraft Sales Corp, Tucson, AZ, 1969.
- Stored unconverted, marked as BC-994, 1969-1972.
- Flew as tanker #C32.
- Stored, derelict, Buckeye, AZ, 1978-1979.

Serial #: 44-35875
Construction #: 29154
Civil Registration:
  N4816E
  CF-PGF
  C-FPGF
Model(s):
  A-26C
  B-26C
Name: None
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS
- Registered as N4816E.
DM Air Enterprises Ltd, Vancouver, BC, 1963-1965.
- Registered as CF-PGF.
Air Spray Ltd, Edmonton, Alberta, 1970-2002.
- Registered as C-FPGF, 1979.
- Flown as tanker #1.

Serial #: 44-34725
Construction #: 28004
Civil Registration:
  N4824E
Model(s):
  A-26B
  B-26B
Name: None
Status: Derelict
Last info: 1973

 

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co., Wichita, KS
- Registered as N4824E.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed.
Manuel S. Jovenich, New York, NY, 1966-1970.
Reported derelict, stripped hulk, Homer, AK, 1973

Serial #: 44-35888
Construction #: 29167
Civil Registration:
  N4810E
Model(s):
  A-26C
  B-26C
Name: None
Status: Stored
Last info: 2002

 

History:
Delivered to USAAF as 44-35888
- Sold as surplus, June 11, 1958.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1966.
- Registered as N4810E.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed.
- Open storage, unrestored, Hutchinson, KS, 1960-1974.
Consolidated Aero Export Corp, Los Angeles,CA, 1969-1972.
David C. Tallichet/Military Aircraft Restoration Corp, Chino, CA, Dec. 1973-2002.

 

 































SITE NAVIGATION