Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3228B-26K Counter Invader 64-17649, Congolese Air Force, Brazzaville, 1965 (with 4 x LAU rocket launchers)
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
The Congo achieved independence in June 1960 and a Civil War took place between 1960 and 1965. Mutinies soon broke out by Congolese soldiers wanting better pay and advancement. Some provinces broke away and rebel armies formed. In 1964 in an attempt to back Colonel Joseph Mobutu the CIA sent 4 B-26s and in January 1965 two B-26Ks Counter Invaders were delivered. These aircraft were meant to destroy the rebel forces and end the unrest. One of the B-26Ks was 64-17649 built as an A-26C and upgraded by On-mark to a B-26K. The aircraft wore FR-649 in the Congo.
Hobby Master HA3228, B-26K Counter Invader 64-17649, Congolese Air Force, 1:72
Production for the USAAF: 1,091
Role: Bomber/Pathfinder observation with Plexiglas nose and Norden bomb sight
Crew: 3 X Pilot, Bombardier/Navigator/Pilot, Gunner
Dimensions
Length: 50 ft 9 in
Wingspan: 70 ft 0 in
Height: 18 ft 6 in
Weight:
Empty: 22,370 lbs
Maximum take-off: 35,000 lbs
Performance
Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-79 radial piston with water injection each producing 2,000 hp
Maximum speed: 373 mph
Cruising Speed: 284 mph
Range: 1,400 mi
Service Ceiling: 28,000 ft
Armament: 2 X 0.5 in. Browning M.G. in nose firing forward
2 X 0.5 in. Browning M.G. in dorsal turret
2 X 0.5 in. Browning M.G. in ventral turret
6 X 0.5 in. guns could be added to the wings in the field
Bombs Maximum Internal - 4,000 lbs and
Maximum Under-Wing – 2,000 lbs or
14 X 5 inch rockets
