A- 26 Marksman worth converting back to Standard A-26?

[Triplane102]

So, I read in Warbirds International that there is a A-26 Marksman C still in an Arizona High School that was once used as a 3 engine flying test bed. I just wonder , as there are a few others left, if it would be worth it, to convert a Marksman Back to a standard A-26 ? , Thanks, WIX brain trust !

[Matt Gunsch]

The one at the high school is too modified to be converted back to anything other than what it last was, a engine test bed.

[Triplane102]

Thanks Matt. I WAS going to start the post by asking YOU ! btw, Thanks for helping that Falcon (?) !

[old iron]

There may be a picture of this testbed on airlinefan.com:

https://www.airlinefan.com/airline-photos/Untitled/Douglas/A-26-Invader/N9174Z/4025993/

[Lon Moer]

There may be a picture of this testbed on airlinefan.com:

https://www.airlinefan.com/airline-photos/Untitled/Douglas/A-26-Invader/N9174Z/4025993/

No.
That plane is an OnMark, but after being a test-bed it went to Air Spray as a tanker and is now with Jerry Yagen.

[K5DH]

There are plenty of warbird A-26s in operation and in museums. It would be cool to see an On-Mark ship restored to its full executive configuration, inside and out. It would certainly be out of the ordinary, and it should attract plenty of attention at air shows. I think people would be interested to see "the Learjet of the '50s", especially displayed next to a modern bizjet for comparison.

[Lon Moer]

There are plenty of warbird A-26s in operation and in museums. It would be cool to see an On-Mark ship restored to its full executive configuration, inside and out. It would certainly be out of the ordinary, and it should attract plenty of attention at air shows. I think people would be interested to see "the Learjet of the '50s", especially displayed next to a modern bizjet for comparison.

When I win the Powerball, I want a Cavalier Executive Mustang and an OnMark Executive Invader.

[Joe Scheil]

Interestingly the A-26 is not getting the market attention the B-25 does. Though there are many special configurations and a tremendous history only a few are preserved. The A-26K and many others deserve continued preservation and operation.

I would like the one Cash McCall had....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEXzIpO-LI8

Attachments

[JohnB]

Many...but not all...conversions were very extensive.
I believe the pressurized ones has basically a new fuselage. I recall reading they had DC-7 windshields.

[Triplane102]

Thanks all, for the info & input ! I believe I saw pic.s of a Marksman parked in the Desert along with ex -Sanders B-25, "Ole' Gray Mare" and a PBY. Come to think of it , another Marksman was "Saved" in Africa a few months ago. Maybe we need to have one restored to all it's Modified Glory !

[C VEICH]

Thanks all, for the info & input ! I believe I saw pic.s of a Marksman parked in the Desert along with ex -Sanders B-25, "Ole' Gray Mare" and a PBY.

The "desert" is in fact Buckeye airport in Buckeye, Arizona and that bird is the ex-"Fire Eater" from the movie "Always" if memory serves. Not sure that one is a Marksman conversion.

[JohnB]

The film aircraft was not an On Mark or executive ship.
Just a straight Invader converted for fire work.

There is a executive B-26 at the CAF hangar in Mesa.
I assume it's an On Mark. I have it a good look in January, I don't think you could convert it back to stock without a spare rear fuselage.

[Scott Rose]

Some of the executive versions were essentially redesigned aircraft. Did any of the other twin engines bombers converted to executive use go through that extensive of a redesign? Or was the Invader particularly adaptable?

[Kyleb]

Some of the executive versions were essentially redesigned aircraft. Did any of the other twin engines bombers converted to executive use go through that extensive of a redesign? Or was the Invader particularly adaptable?

I've seen B-23's, A-20's, B-26 Marauders, and B-25's in that role. I'd guess A-26's were the ones worth doing significant conversions to
because they were much faster (and therefore more valuable) than the other types. The P2V conversions were similar.

[T J Johansen]

There are plenty of warbird A-26s in operation and in museums. It would be cool to see an On-Mark ship restored to its full executive configuration, inside and out. It would certainly be out of the ordinary, and it should attract plenty of attention at air shows. I think people would be interested to see "the Learjet of the '50s", especially displayed next to a modern bizjet for comparison.

This I agree with. I would have liked to see Jerry Yagen's 26 be restored as a business transport. That is a rare conversion. I am not sure if it is an On-Mark or an earlier Grand Central mod. What is strange is that the entry hatch on the underside is latched at the front rather than at the rear like On-Marks were. It also have some bits and pieces that make it look different to the On-Mark Marketeer. Unfortunately I do not have any FAA file on the a/c. Here is a scenario. Yagen arrives at airshow in the 26. Disembark wearing a mohair suit and hat. Wave to the public behind the fence and leave towards the pilots tent in a 1958 Cadillac. The arrival of a rock star!

To Lon Moer: I see your Cavalier and On- Mark, and raise you a Howard 500.

To Joe Scheil: If papers and airframes haven't been swapped around. Here is Cash McCall's bird today.
https://www.travelgumbo.com/fileSendAct ... 2%2529.JPG

T J