IN LATE NOVEMBER 2011, Korean War veteran Douglas A-26B Invader 44-34172/ N4806E was moved from long-term storage on a farm in Kent to a new home at Avignon in southern France, where it will be restored to flying condition. For the past quarter of a century the bomber had been owned by brothers Rod and Rex Cadman, who had stored it on the farm in recent years.

Christophe Brunelière of Société YTFP (Yew Tree Farm Princess), the aircraft’s new owners, says: “This A-26 has never been converted into fire bomber or spraying configuration, is almost complete, and still fitted with its original equipment, including the two turrets, fire-control periscope, camera, etc. The Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines and propellers were overhauled by Air France in 1964 and have been perfectly stored, although a new overhaul will be necessary to ensure the internal condition and replace parts where necessary.”

Built in late 1944 at Long Beach, California, 44-34172 was delivered to the United States Army Air Force early in 1945. Its operational Korean history is still being researched. Brunelière adds: “We will call the aeroplane the Yew Tree Farm Princess, after the place where it was stored in Kent, as a tribute to the former owners.”

Serial #: 44-34172 Construction #: 27451 Civil Registration:   N4806E Model(s):   A-26B   B-26C Name: None Status: Restoration Last info: 2002

History: Delivered to USAAF as 44-34172, 19??. - Stored at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ. - Surplussed June 11, 1958. Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1966. - Registered as N4806E. - Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed. - Open storage, unconverted, Hutchinson, KS. Consolidated Aero Export Corp, Los Angeles, CA, 1969-1972. Dennis W. Childers, Claremore, OK, Apr. 1983-1984. Courtesy Aircraft Inc., Rockford, IL, 1985. Rod & Rex Cadman, Canterbury, Kent, UK, 1986-1988. - Shipped to UK for rebuild. A-26 Europe Inc., Rockford, IL, June 16, 1988-2002. - Restoration to airworthy, Southend (later Manston), UK.