Warbird Information Exchange

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 !

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WWI & WWII Warbird Fan.

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.

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Matt Gunsch, A&P, IA, Warbird maint and restorations
Jack, You have Debauched my sloth !!!!!!
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Thanks Matt. I WAS going to start the post by asking YOU ! btw, Thanks for helping that Falcon (?) !

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WWI & WWII Warbird Fan.

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

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

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Kevin McCartney

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.

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remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

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.

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

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

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remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

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

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.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

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 !

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WWI & WWII Warbird Fan.

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.

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.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

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?

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Scott Rose
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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.

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

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Make my day, punk!