While stationed at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base in Thailand in 1967 I was honored to be a crew Chief on the two A-26's we had. We called them Eagle 1 and 2. They flew night missions over North Viet Nam. Unfortunately, we lost one of them before I transferred back. We sat in her spot for hours past her return home scheduled time hoping for the best, but never heard a word. By this time, I was in Operations, and we called everywhere hoping someone heard from her. What a great airplane and despite all the initial problems pilots had when first released during WWll our pilots loved them. As maintenance crews we did as well.
THIS IS INTERESTING TO ME....I lived in Enid in about 1957. My father was stationed at Vance AFB and he was a commander of a unit that had B-25 and A-26s located over in the "P" Patch..a parking location for these aircraft. They, plus C-47s were used by pilots stationed there to get in their flight time on a monthly bases. I use to go out with my Dad on Saturdays and sometime got to ride in the aircraft when they were moved around. I spent time in Viet Nam one tour plus extensions until wounded. I was with MACV so i saw these guys working as well as Air America. Lots of memories
Nice video. Preserving these planes isn't only a tribute to men who flew them in conflict but also to the people who designed and built these craft. Engineering back then relied on slide rules and intuition, not computers. All the drawings were done by skilled hands and much of the assembly was by hand by highly trained and careful people. I sometimes laugh about how some of these era planes were developed in a matter of months and now it takes years to do the same thing.
Portuguese Air Force received seven civilian smuggled A-26s, and reconverted them to use in Angola as a substitute of the F-84G Thunderjet. They were left there in 75 after the independence.
Thank you for a great video on a great plane. My dad flew an A26 K. I was lucky to have seen him flying that bird and put it through its paces. Saw him do barrell roles with it. He loved it. Once again thank you for the video.
355mph for the A-26, 405mph for the DH-98. There isn't even grounds for an argument. Also they had a bigger payload than the B17 and a longer range. Imagine how many US airman's lives would have saved if Boeing built DH98 bombers with fighter variants as escorts instead of the B17. 'Rosie the cabinet maker,' take a bow.
@@coolhand1964 I honestly believe that there is a role for a modernised yet heavily Mosquito based design, in todays military. Modern hi tech light materials replacing the wood but keeping the aerodynamic shape and twin props. Perhaps built around a similar gun to the A10 and optimised with state of the art equipment for CAS.
Thought I would share one moment in our time with one of our A-26 in Thailand. One returned home with a 500-pounder hanging face down from her belly. Looked like a stallion with a mare on his mind. We got with ordinance and determined that even if it had armed, if we could get the pilot ot bounce her the dag-gum-thing it might just bounce out and slide down the runway. So, we advised the pilot to keep the nose up which is adverse to the landing configuration and come in hot and do a carrier touch. Second attempt it worked, and the A-26 bounded back into the sky and the pickup with those crazy ordinance guys caught up to the bomb and one of them jumped onto that sliding thing and rode it to a stop. We held or breath! They cleared the runway, and our plane came home safe and sound. Crazy!
Can anyone tell me if this aircraft did a flyover at the Nanton Alberta Lancaster Museum a few years ago? There was a Merlin Engine Runup event and I do believe it was an A26 in. Black that buzzed the Museum.
My Father (Lawrence J Klein) flew the A-26 quite extensively. Here is his history for that time frame of his life: March 1952: Finished tour with the 53rd Troop Carrier Squadron and transferred to the 452nd. Bomb Group (L) A B-26 (Douglas) Night Intruder outfit at K-9 Airfield (Pusan East) Korea. On or about May 1952 the 452nd was deactivated and we were reactivated as the 17th Bomb Group (L) *Note: The “Douglas B-26 Invader” was re-designated “A-26” in 1956. Not to be confused with the Martin B-26 Marauder, used extensively in World War 2) March - September 1952: Flew 55 Night Intruder Missions. Awarded a couple of Air Medals and a D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross) September - December 1952: Temporary duty to Miho AB Japan. Flew B-26 maintenance test flights. He also flew B17G, B25, C45, C46, C54, C82, C119, T33, T6 and H34.
This is the first aero plane that I flue on in 1953 except that mine was a RB 26 which was used for reconnaissance. Where this plane carried guns and bombs the RB carried cameras.
Flew, not flue. A little picky but it's never too late to learn the beautiful English language. Just for your information, I was born in 1959 after your first A26 flight. My father served in Korea with the British Army. He died 20 years ago. I wish you well Ben.
A number of years ago, an A-26 was parked at the Somerset Kentucky airport. I got a chance to see it up close but not see it fly. I think it had to be repaired and it was tied down at the airport for about 3 weeks. It was painted all silver and I cannot remember the markings. Fine lines for sure.
Was "Lady Liberty" the original name? If so, does anyone know who painted it? My Father, Jim Lamson painted many B-16 noses in Kunsan Korea, of the 13th Bomber Squadron. He was the waster turrets gunner. He painted, Wegopogo, Dennis the Menis, Miss Maggie, Frances, the Liberty Belle, Miss Na Nookie, Little Sheba, The Prankster, Miss West, Dream Girl, and more. His airplane was the one that dropped the last bombs on Korea, but he was pulled off to allow a black gunner on the mission for PR.
In the Third Bomb Group it replaced A20s as well as the B25s. 89th and 90th Squadrons used the A20s, also a Douglas aircraft. Their missions were usually Parafrag treetop bombing missions against Japanese Army airfields but also some skip bombing in the Third's history against armed Japanese Army transport ships. That's just some of the WW2 part. Besides the considerable Korean action, It took part in both sides of the Bay of Pigs fiasco in Cuba.The CIA used them in Vietnam and the Congo. Keep that beauty safe assuming it still is. Man if y'all don't like the way the airshow plan is set up, like too crowded and risky, you don't necessarily have to be in it for our sake..
@1:25 Wrong! The A-26 was NOT the only "Military type" aircraft to see combat in all three wars. The C-47 saw service in WW2, Korea and in Vietnam wars and was heavily modified as a gunship as the AC-47 attack plane in Vietnam. The C-46 was also used in all three wars. What he really meant was the A-26 was the only "COMBAT type" aircraft to be used in all three wars.
Slight error, when one of the pilots says it was the fastest Allied bomber of WW2. It wasn't. The bomber version of the DH Mosquito was faster. A-26 355MPH, Mosquito B Mk XVI 408 MPH.
he has a couple of errors... he said the A-26 was the only "military type" to see action in ww2, Korea and Vietnam. Not true, the C-46 and C-47 were military aircraft that saw service in all three wars, and the c47 being modified as an attack airplane as the AC-47. What he meant was the A-26 was the only "combat type" aircraft (not military transport) to see service in all three wars.
I have about 3000 hrs flying with the R 2800 CB16-17 in the DC-6. We never pulled the prop by hand to clear oil. The starter had a clutch and if there was oil in a cylinder it would slip and this prevented damage. There were very many versions of the R2800 and I have no idea what this one is.
We have just made public close to 40 interviews with Vietnam veterans associated with the Huey Helicopter for our local military museum, the Woodring Wall of Honor and M.L. Becker Learning Center. The playlist is on our City of Enid channel: ua-cam.com/video/q9Ksr0lpnPs/v-deo.html
Not sure, but the nose art has since been replaced with a more period-accurate one that can be seen here: www.enidnews.com/news/local_news/lady-liberty-to-fly-over-washington-on-independence-day/article_62d4d9f9-ce86-56ca-a978-2c7148dad05e.html
Quote of narration “ The fasted bomer the allied build” please do your home work. Don’t change history. The mosquito had 100km faster top speed that this thing.
While stationed at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base in Thailand in 1967 I was honored to be a crew Chief on the two A-26's we had. We called them Eagle 1 and 2.
They flew night missions over North Viet Nam.
Unfortunately, we lost one of them before I transferred back. We sat in her spot for hours past her return home scheduled time hoping for the best, but never heard a word.
By this time, I was in Operations, and we called everywhere hoping someone heard from her.
What a great airplane and despite all the initial problems pilots had when first released during WWll our pilots loved them. As maintenance crews we did as well.
THIS IS INTERESTING TO ME....I lived in Enid in about 1957. My father was stationed at Vance AFB and he was a commander of a unit that had B-25 and A-26s located over in the "P" Patch..a parking location for these aircraft. They, plus C-47s were used by pilots stationed there to get in their flight time on a monthly bases. I use to go out with my Dad on Saturdays and sometime got to ride in the aircraft when they were moved around. I spent time in Viet Nam one tour plus extensions until wounded. I was with MACV so i saw these guys working as well as Air America. Lots of memories
I thought you were on TDY in Challenger Deep
Nice video. Preserving these planes isn't only a tribute to men who flew them in conflict but also to the people who designed and built these craft. Engineering back then relied on slide rules and intuition, not computers. All the drawings were done by skilled hands and much of the assembly was by hand by highly trained and careful people. I sometimes laugh about how some of these era planes were developed in a matter of months and now it takes years to do the same thing.
Thank you! Yes, they were on a tight schedule in those days!
I'm surprised the briefing officer used the term "Rotate on Take-off" since that is Taboo with the A-26. One "Flys the aircraft" off the ground.
This is a great documentary thank you for sharing
Thank you, James.
Could do with fact checking the "facts" but the camera work was very good.
Portuguese Air Force received seven civilian smuggled A-26s, and reconverted them to use in Angola as a substitute of the F-84G Thunderjet. They were left there in 75 after the independence.
Thank you for a great video on a great plane. My dad flew an A26 K. I was lucky to have seen him flying that bird and put it through its paces. Saw him do barrell roles with it. He loved it. Once again thank you for the video.
Just gotta say my Dad flew this in Korea. And yours feature his group's mascot Oscar. Cool. Memories memories.
@Stephen Livers Yeah, Dad said when the guns got a locomotive they'd go Woosh when the boiler blew - great fun for a 30 year old LOL.
great documentary would love to see more like this with other aircraft from the caf and other museums
Thank you, Neal.
Not a patch on the de Havilland Mosquito, which really was the fastest allied bomber of WWII.
355mph for the A-26, 405mph for the DH-98. There isn't even grounds for an argument. Also they had a bigger payload than the B17 and a longer range. Imagine how many US airman's lives would have saved if Boeing built DH98 bombers with fighter variants as escorts instead of the B17. 'Rosie the cabinet maker,' take a bow.
@@coolhand1964 I honestly believe that there is a role for a modernised yet heavily Mosquito based design, in todays military. Modern hi tech light materials replacing the wood but keeping the aerodynamic shape and twin props.
Perhaps built around a similar gun to the A10 and optimised with state of the art equipment for CAS.
@@coolhand1964 Lots of them!
Thought I would share one moment in our time with one of our A-26 in Thailand.
One returned home with a 500-pounder hanging face down from her belly. Looked like a stallion with a mare on his mind.
We got with ordinance and determined that even if it had armed, if we could get the pilot ot bounce her the dag-gum-thing it might just bounce out and slide down the runway.
So, we advised the pilot to keep the nose up which is adverse to the landing configuration and come in hot and do a carrier touch.
Second attempt it worked, and the A-26 bounded back into the sky and the pickup with those crazy ordinance guys caught up to the bomb and one of them jumped onto that sliding thing and rode it to a stop. We held or breath!
They cleared the runway, and our plane came home safe and sound. Crazy!
Really well done, folks! I miss our local A-26, which was based here back in the 90s...
Thank you very much.
Sleek lines and two big radials...a winning combination. Along with the F7F, a real stunner.
beautiful
I was scratching my head when I saw the A-26. I knew about B-25s and B-26s and this looks like a cross between the two.
*B-26K designator changed to A-25A, A-26B for Thailand-based aircraft. Politics and all that...*
Can anyone tell me if this aircraft did a flyover at the Nanton Alberta Lancaster Museum a few years ago?
There was a Merlin Engine Runup event and I do believe it was an A26 in. Black that buzzed the Museum.
Beautiful A-26 love it
My Father (Lawrence J Klein) flew the A-26 quite extensively. Here is his history for that time frame of his life: March 1952: Finished tour with the 53rd Troop Carrier Squadron and transferred to the 452nd. Bomb Group (L) A B-26 (Douglas) Night Intruder outfit at K-9 Airfield (Pusan East) Korea. On or about May 1952 the 452nd was deactivated and we were reactivated as the 17th Bomb Group (L)
*Note: The “Douglas B-26 Invader” was re-designated “A-26” in 1956. Not to be confused with the Martin B-26 Marauder, used extensively in World War 2)
March - September 1952: Flew 55 Night Intruder Missions. Awarded a couple of Air Medals and a D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross)
September - December 1952: Temporary duty to Miho AB Japan. Flew B-26 maintenance test flights. He also flew B17G, B25, C45, C46, C54, C82, C119, T33, T6 and H34.
Hmmmm, makes me seriously consider joining the Commemorative Air Force.
I'm sure that any squadron would love to have you!
This is the first aero plane that I flue on in 1953 except that mine was a RB 26 which was used for reconnaissance. Where this plane carried guns and bombs the RB carried cameras.
Flew, not flue. A little picky but it's never too late to learn the beautiful English language.
Just for your information, I was born in 1959 after your first A26 flight. My father served in Korea with the British Army. He died 20 years ago. I wish you well Ben.
I am Dave Gibbs and i flew in the rb26 in Kimpo afb in 1953. I was a radio operator relaying weather info to the ground. Got in 50 missions.
A number of years ago, an A-26 was parked at the Somerset Kentucky airport. I got a chance to see it up close but not see it fly. I think it had to be repaired and it was tied down at the airport for about 3 weeks. It was painted all silver and I cannot remember the markings. Fine lines for sure.
Was "Lady Liberty" the original name? If so, does anyone know who painted it? My Father, Jim Lamson painted many B-16 noses in Kunsan Korea, of the 13th Bomber Squadron. He was the waster turrets gunner. He painted, Wegopogo, Dennis the Menis, Miss Maggie, Frances, the Liberty Belle, Miss Na Nookie, Little Sheba, The Prankster, Miss West, Dream Girl, and more. His airplane was the one that dropped the last bombs on Korea, but he was pulled off to allow a black gunner on the mission for PR.
In the Third Bomb Group it replaced A20s as well as the B25s. 89th and 90th Squadrons used the A20s, also a Douglas aircraft. Their missions were usually Parafrag treetop bombing missions against Japanese Army airfields but also some skip bombing in the Third's history against armed Japanese Army transport ships. That's just some of the WW2 part.
Besides the considerable Korean action, It took part in both sides of the Bay of Pigs fiasco in Cuba.The CIA used them in Vietnam and the Congo.
Keep that beauty safe assuming it still is. Man if y'all don't like the way the airshow plan is set up, like too crowded and risky, you don't necessarily have to be in it for our sake..
not only the A20 and b25 but also the Marauder.
@1:25 Wrong! The A-26 was NOT the only "Military type" aircraft to see combat in all three wars. The C-47 saw service in WW2, Korea and in Vietnam wars and was heavily modified as a gunship as the AC-47 attack plane in Vietnam. The C-46 was also used in all three wars. What he really meant was the A-26 was the only "COMBAT type" aircraft to be used in all three wars.
I envy you gentleman I really do, I'm in Coeur d'Alene Idaho if I can volunteer my time in any way just let me know.
Slight error, when one of the pilots says it was the fastest Allied bomber of WW2. It wasn't. The bomber version of the DH Mosquito was faster. A-26 355MPH, Mosquito B Mk XVI 408 MPH.
he has a couple of errors... he said the A-26 was the only "military type" to see action in ww2, Korea and Vietnam. Not true, the C-46 and C-47 were military aircraft that saw service in all three wars, and the c47 being modified as an attack airplane as the AC-47. What he meant was the A-26 was the only "combat type" aircraft (not military transport) to see service in all three wars.
D bag
Is this a A-26B-50 model?
We're checking with the crew on that.
Gary Trice, the A&P for the Lady Liberty says he thinks it is a block 30 airframe (but subject to correction), the #130 airframe built.
is that jack with the go tee
The B 26 was used at the bay of Pig Invasion in April 17-1961 Info. by F.M. / Know as Conde
@@fernanomirabal6803 *Yep. B-26K.*
Eine wunderschöne Maschine.
I know this bird, because I used to see her at the Offutt Air Shows, and more recently, I saw her at the Great Planes Wing Open House event.
I have about 3000 hrs flying with the R 2800 CB16-17 in the DC-6. We never pulled the prop by hand to clear oil. The starter had a clutch and if there was oil in a cylinder it would slip and this prevented damage. There were very many versions of the R2800 and I have no idea what this one is.
Incorrect, because the Douglas C-47 served in these same wars... so, the A-26 is not the "only" one.
We have just made public close to 40 interviews with Vietnam veterans associated with the Huey Helicopter for our local military museum, the Woodring Wall of Honor and M.L. Becker Learning Center. The playlist is on our City of Enid channel: ua-cam.com/video/q9Ksr0lpnPs/v-deo.html
The one question everyone is wondering about: Who is the lady on the side of the aircraft in the nose art?
Not sure, but the nose art has since been replaced with a more period-accurate one that can be seen here: www.enidnews.com/news/local_news/lady-liberty-to-fly-over-washington-on-independence-day/article_62d4d9f9-ce86-56ca-a978-2c7148dad05e.html
My father in-law flew 55 night combat missions in these in Korea / Maj Jay W Schwanger USAF
Typical American I never realised the b26 was faster than a mosquito which was the fastest allied bomber in ww2
A-mericans make shit up all the time.
I like this plane. Have it as a rc plane 1.75 m wingspann. Two os 56 motors.flys great.👍🏻
Wow that is not even a little interesting
C-47 served in all three wars did it not?
Yes sir, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
C-47 was not a bomber or fighter
@@bowdoin5063 Description for video says, "only allied aircraft that served in...", no mention of fighter or bomber.
We were still making and supplying replacement parts when I was in Corp America which is many years ago!
Quote of narration “ The fasted bomer the allied build” please do your home work. Don’t change history.
The mosquito had 100km faster top speed that this thing.
Sure wish you hadn't spammed over the Engine sound with damn music at the end... rather hear the Aircraft, now that's music !!!
the a26 was not the faster allied bomber, that honor goes to the mosquito
Fastest bomber of WW11? The Mosquito was considerably faster.
DC 3
Can’t you get wing tip tanks?
why do that? its WW2 version not an On Mark Vietnam version.
@@ILSRWY4 *Correct. Respect!*