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A-26C, s/n 43-2269 | B-26K 64-17657
The cockpit section of a rare B-26K Douglas Invader that saw action in Vietnam and also during World War Two as an A-26C arrived at the museum during December 2009, having been in storage in a collectors garage "Somewhere" in Devon. The USAAF aircraft movement card shows that 43-2269 was delivered to the US 9th Air Force in England during February 1944. Further research will hopefully shed some light onto the exact squadron that "269" served with during World War Two and perhaps even what bombing missions she participated in. After the war 269 was converted to a B-26K and sent to participate in the Vietnam War. |
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| Restoration begins Spring 2010. |
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| B-26K (A-26A), s/n 64-17657 last flew sometime in the late 1970's when she suffered a stall during a landing approach from 100 feet, the aircraft crashed ending 269's flying career. The cockpit was salvaged and sent to England sometime during the 1980's, during her time in the UK she suffered from the elements whilst laying in grass and some of the belly structure suffered from corrosion over the years. |
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A sad site - the remains of B-26K 64-17657 - the pilots fate is not known. |
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| The museum decided to restore 269 as near as possible to represent her wartime configuration which is more in keeping with the museum displays. The other deciding factor being the lack of equipment to fit back into a B-26K with only a handful ever being produced. Her Vietnam service will however be included in the final display information. |
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| Museum volunteers started the restoration by removing the heavy aluminum armored plating from around the cockpit area so a full inspection could be carried out. The upper cockpit section was found to be in near perfect condition with only minor repair required in some areas. The underside of the cockpit section however was a different story with serious corrosion evident. The only option was turn the cockpit section on to its side and begin the laborious job of removing the corrosion back to solid structure. Repair plates have now been made up (by Derik) and will be fitted to patch over any holes created from cutting out of the rotten structure. This was preservation on an extreme level, but without this harsh approach the corrosion would eventually be the end of "269". Once the under belly has been restored and preserved, work will then commence on the upper section and in particular the internal cockpit area which has been completely stripped out. |
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| We are currently looking for an A-26 pilots cockpit seat, A-26 instrument panel, control column and A-26 yoke (control wheel) and if possible a front nose section and rudder pedals. |
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| With thanks to museum volunteers: Derik, Len & Allan. |
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A-26C 43-22649 at NewCastle AFB Delaware 1952.
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| Below are a few photos of work in progress: |
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A-26C 43-22649 on her side during corrosion removal - the hole in the wheel well was caused during the crash. |
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Service History: |
A-26C, s/n 43-22649
Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, Tulsa OK and delivered to the USAAF on 8 Feb 1944.
Feb 1944.
To Hunter AAF GA, and departed US via Morrison AAF FL. Assigned to Ninth Air Force, England
Jul 1945
Returned to US via Hunter AAF, stored 4255th AAF Base Unit (Air Materiel Command,) Grenada AAF MS
Feb 1946 – To 4160th AAF Base Unit (AMC), Hobbs AAF NM (storage)
Apr 1947 – To Sacramento Air Materiel Center, McClellan AFB CA
Jan 1948 – To 186th Fighter Squadron (Air National Guard), Gore AFB MT (to TA-26C)
Jun 1949 – To Great Falls AFB MT (to TB-26C)
Mar 1951 – To 207th Tow Target Flight (ANG), Key Field MS
May 1951 – To 207th Tow Target Flight (Tactical Air Command), New Castle AFB DE
Jun 1951 – To 2nd Tow Target Squadron (TAC), New Castle AFB
Jan 1953 – To Mitchel AFB NY (to TB-26B, deployment to Burlington MAP VT)
Nov 1959 – To Arizona Aircraft Storage Branch (AMC), Davis-Monthan AFB AZ
Dec 1963 – To On Mark Engineering, Van Nuys CA
Nov 1964 – Dropped from inventory by remanufacturer as s/n 64-17657
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B-26K (A-26A), s/n 64-17657
Remanufactured by On Mark Engineering, Van Nuys CA and gained into USAF inventory on 12 Nov 1964.
Nov 1964 – To 605th Air Commando (Composite) Squadron (AF Southern Command), Howard AFB Panama (deployment to Maracay AP Venezuela, to A-26A)
Apr 1968 – To 1st Special Operations Wing (Tactical Air Command), England AFB LA
Jul 1969 – To 1st Special Operations Wing (TAC), Hurlburt Field FL
Oct 1969 – To Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center, Davis-Monthan AFB AZ
Nov 1972 – Dropped from inventory by transfer to museum status. Later crashed & written off. |
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| CAN
YOU HELP? |
| The Wings Museum is
keen to hear from any individuals with
experience in Sheet Metal .
If you would like to be involved in
this worth while project then please
contact Daniel Hunt via e-mail on info@wingsmuseum.co.uk please include a brief background on
yourself. . |
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