A-26 Invader

Hi Allan,

Thanks for this, you have been a great help as we were thinking we had to remove the armor sections. We probably will still remove them so we can assess any problems lurking underneath.

If anyone has a photo or can confirm from the parts manual then that would be the final confirmation we need.

THanks again

As everything was covered in mud I cannot be certain, but it looked like it was on both sides of the cockpit from the forward bulkhead to the wing root. From my photos I can’t tell if it was all the way round the lower fuselage or just the upper sections.

The piece I have has traces of olive green paint on the edges and inside face, there is nothing left of any coating on the outside. I think it may have been natural metal as the rest of the aircraft was in that finish.

Thanks chaps this helps a lot, I am not really up on the A-26.

Allan do you know if the armor plate was all over the cockpit assembly or just specific areas? I thought it was a modification that was done for the Vietnam War but it seems that it may have been armored even during the war years? Also would this have been natural metal with anti glare panels? I don’t think they were bothering to top coat that late in the war, but before I go stripping the paint I just wanted to check first. Also if you have any photos of the excavation this might actually help us compare.

Andy I will send you a PM.

Dan

I did have a full set of manuals (the US version of the AP!) for the A-26 and I am sure they would be of some use.

I let Rex Cadman (of the War & Peace Show) have them, as he part-owned an A-26 at that time.

He may still have them?

The armour around the cockpit from the two we dug out on Warton Marsh in 2004 was heavy aluminium plating, most of the skinning had turned to powder but the plates which had been bolted on were still good. I’ve got one of the smaller sections and here are the dimensions

Length – 13 5/8″
Width – 10″
Thickness – 9/32″

Secured by two countersunk cross head screws (1/4″ dia screw, 1/2″ dia head) with washers and locking nuts on the back.

The holes for the screws are positioned diagonally from each other 3/4″ in from the long side of the plate with one 4″ in from the right hand side and the other 5 3/4″ from the left hand end.

RE: A-26 Invader

post em indeed.

RE: A-26 Invader

I took the picture in the early 80’s. I’d forgotten the tragic events (the old grey matter is about knackered!). The picture was taken at Leicester Air Show (Stoughton). I have a couple more pictures of this aeroplane, which if anyones interested I’ll post.

Cheers all,
Neilly

RE: A-26 Invader

I remember it going in clear as day. I believe the aircraft was grossly overloaded. From where i was standing, he entered the valley, and the wingtip vortices were milk white. I would say, and it was 20 years ago, that another 6 feet available, he might have made it.

After the crash, all the Air Cadets were rallied to try and keep people back from the wreck, so the fire services could get through. It was my first experience of airshow ghoul factor. We were trying to get people to move back, but they kept crowding in, including one stalwart, on being requested to move back, telling me to “F Off, I’ve paid my money” Anopther unbelievably, had his daughter on his shoulders, to get a better look at the wreckage and bodies, I was seriously sickened that day

Sorry to bring it onto the forum, but seeing the picture again, took me straight back

Tony

RE: A-26 Invader

>Lovely, I’ll never forget the sight of the 2 together at
>last years legends.

You would not of seen this at Legends last year….

This Invader (Double Trouble) is the one that crashed at Biggen Hill in 1980 (I think) killing all on board. It was owned by Ted White and Don Bullock. Bullock was flying it at the time of the crash.

RE: A-26 Invader

Lovely, I’ll never forget the sight of the 2 together at last years legends.