Douglas DB-26C Invader

Douglas DB-26C Invader

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Remarks by Jim Brink: "This aircraft was built for the USAAF as an A-26C-35-DT and was redesignated B-26C in 1948. The squadron I led in 1956 at Yuma, Arizona, USA, had three modified to DB-26C. They were specially modified to launch the Ryan Firebee Q-2A drone.

I took this photo from a T-33. The B-26 was on its way to launch the drones. One at a time was launched and ground control flew it on its course so that F-89 Scorpions could fire a missile at it. Then after the drone made several circuits of an oval course and the fighters had expended all their missiles the drone controllers would vector it to our recovery area, stop the engine and deploy the parachute for landing. A specially modified H-21 brought it home for any repair and preparation for another flight. This drone had already flown ten missions when this photo was taken, see the markings in the Zoom in view.

I had the B-26s painted white when they were at the depot in Ogden, Utah, USA, in preparation for conversion. They were the first white aircraft in the Air Force. I had them painted white because of the sun and heat at Yuma made it almost impossible to get in an aircraft in the summer without having a refridgeration unit cool it down for an hour or two before the crew arrived. You had to wear gloves to keep from burning your hands if you touched the airplane skin after it had been exposed to the sunlight.

The B-26 was a fun twin to fly with good performance and range. I took a couple of X-countries in one."


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Remarks by Jim Brink: "This aircraft was built for the USAAF as an A-26C-35-DT and was redesignated B-26C in 1948. The squadron I led in 1956 at Yuma, Arizona, USA, had three modified to DB-26C. They were specially modified to launch the Ryan Firebee Q-2A drone. I took this photo from a T-33. The B-26 was on its way to launch the drones. One at a time was launched and ground control flew it on its course so that F-89 Scorpions could fire a missile at it. Then after the drone made several circuits of an oval course and the fighters had expended all their missiles the drone controllers would vector it to our recovery area, stop the engine and deploy the parachute for landing. A specially modified H-21 brought it home for any repair and preparation for another flight. This drone had already flown ten missions when this photo was taken, see the markings in the Zoom in view. I had the B-26s painted white when they were at the depot in Ogden, Utah, USA, in preparation for conversion. They were the first white aircraft in the Air Force. I had them painted white because of the sun and heat at Yuma made it almost impossible to get in an aircraft in the summer without having a refridgeration unit cool it down for an hour or two before the crew arrived. You had to wear gloves to keep from burning your hands if you touched the airplane skin after it had been exposed to the sunlight. The B-26 was a fun twin to fly with good performance and range. I took a couple of X-countries in one."