Douglas A-26C Invader
Douglas · USA · first flew 1944 · bomber
The A-26C is the glazed-nose precision bomber variant of the Invader, equipped with a Norden bombsight and transparent bombardier nose for medium-altitude precision attacks, complementing the strafer A-26B in USAAF attack groups.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.24 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Glazed Plexiglas bombardier nose with a clear dome — the transparent nose accommodates the Norden bombsight and is immediately obvious against the A-26B's solid metal nose
- Only two fixed forward-firing .50 cal guns in the nose (in cheek positions) vs the A-26B's eight — visibly fewer muzzle openings at the nose tip
- Bombardier's prone position window visible as a flat panel in the lower nose transparency
The transparent nose is definitive against the A-26B. At any range, the clear dome vs solid metal distinguishes the two instantly. Both C and B share identical fuselage, wings, engines, and tail. Against the B-25C/D (also glazed-nose): the Invader has a tricycle undercarriage (tail-down stance absent), sleeker fuselage, and twin-engine nacelles that sit lower on the wing.
Specifications
- The Douglas A-26C Invader has a length of 15.24 m (50 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 21.34 m (70 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 571 km/h (355 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Produced concurrently with the A-26B from 1944; both variants served together in the same groups with a mix of nose configurations allowing flexible mission assignment. Post-war redesignated B-26C. The glazed-nose configuration was less favoured in Korea where the solid-nose strafer role predominated, and many A-26Cs had their noses replaced with solid-gun equivalents in the field.
Variants
B-26C (post-1948 designation); many field-converted to A-26B solid-nose configuration in Korea. TB-26C (trainer).
Where you'll see it
USAAF WWII Europe and Pacific, USAF Korea. Survivors alongside A-26B in warbird collections — the glazed nose is less common in airworthy survivors as many were re-nosed.
Related aircraft
- Douglas A-26B Invader
- Douglas XCG-17
- Douglas AD Skyraider
- Douglas C-47B Skytrain
- Avro Lincoln
- Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly
- Boeing XB-39 Superfortress
- Bristol Brigand
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