Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3227B-26K Counter Invader "Special Kay" AF64-679, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018
General Background
In 1941 Douglas Aircraft Company began work on their twin-engine medium-bomber A-26 Invader. By the end of production there were 2,452 aircraft produced for all variants. The A-26/B-26 was the only U.S. bomber to take part in three wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The confusion with the use of the designation B-26 began when the Martin B-26 Marauder was retired and in 1948 the USAF dropped the “A” (Attack) designator so the Douglas A-26 Invader became the B-26 Invader. The A-26 made its first European appearance in late 1944.
The Aircraft
During the 1960s On Mark engineering modified 40 B-26 aircraft, formerly A-26s, to perform night interdiction missions in Laos. One of the 40 aircraft to be converted was B-26K serial No. 64-17679 “Special Kay” that flew missions in Europe during WWII and later for the CIA. Later in the US it was used as a B-26K combat trainer. In 1972 AF64-679 was surplus and 1977 sold to fight fires in Canada. In 1978 the pilot crash landed ruining landing gear and props but 9 years later it was saved and rebuilt making it the only airworthy B-26K.
Hobby Master HA3227, B-26K Counter Invader "Special Kay" AF64-679, EAA Air, 1:72
Modified From A-26C To B-26K By - On Mark Engineering
Maiden Flight – May 26, 1964
Designated A-26A While In Thailand
Nickname - Nimrod
Number Of WWII A-26 Modified – 40
Dimensions
Length – 51.7 ft (15.76 m)
Wingspan – 71.52 ft (21.8 m)
Height – 19 ft (5.79 m)
Maximum Take-Off Weight – 38,312 lb (17,378 kg) Performance
Power-Plants
2 X Pratt & Whitney R-2800-52W Water-Injected Radial Engines, 2,500 hp per engine Maximum Speed – 322 mph ( 519 kph, 280 kts)
Maximum Range – 2,700 miles (4,345 km, 2,346 nm)
Service Ceiling – 30,000 ft (9,144 m, 5.68 miles)
Armament
Standard
8 X .50 Caliber (12.7 mm) Forward-Fixed Heavy Machine Guns Mounted In Nose Optional
8 X External Hardpoints For Up To 8,000 lbs Mixed Ordnance
Up To 4,000 lbs Mixed Ordnance In Bomb Bay
