Warbird Information Exchange

Was the "C" model used during World War II or no? I know it's a basic question, but its been on my mind for quite some time! Any info would be appreciated!

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

I was also wondering how much the A-26 was used during WWII.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

The A-26B and A-26C series were built concurrently and went to bomb groups simultaneously.

In the ETO, four groups transitioned beginning in November 1944. One additonal group had transition by the end of the war but didn't fly, and all but three of the fourteen light and medium bomb groups were slated for the transition.

In the MTO, one bomb group had transitioned, though they remained equipped with A-20s also.

In the FEAF, one group transitioned late in the war and flew a few missions.

In the PTO, two groups had transitioned but only one flew combat missions.

In the China-Burma Theater, two groups were transitioning when the war ended.

In May 1945, there were 677 A-26s assigned to Europe and the Mediterranean.

In August 1945, here were 145 deployed in the Pacific and China/Burma.

There were a total of 2,049 A-26s in the AAF inventory at the end of August 1945.

The A-26 proved to be a capable airplane with teething problems brought on by Douglas and the AAF that slowed production and modifications.

I remember hearing somewhere that each flight had a 'C' model A-26 as a sort of pathfinder, while the rest of the flight flew in 'B' models...I could be wrong though. Hope this helps!

-Dennis S.
Greeley, CO

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"We must bond together and fight as brothers or we will all die as fools."

On any mission there would be one or two C models in a flight of B models to lead the group on the bombing run as it was only the C models that were equipped with the bomb site. From what I understand a B could be converted to a C and visa versa in about an hour in the field, so it is kind of accurate to see a A-26C on the airshow circuit that came out of the factory as a B.

All of this is from memory, so I would be happy to be corrected.

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

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