Douglas A-26 Invader

A-26 (B-26) Invader
A warbird A-26 Invader
Role	Ground attack Light bomber Type of aircraft
Manufacturer	Douglas Aircraft Company
First flight	10 July 1942 (1942-07-10)
Introduction	1944 [1] [2] [3]
Retired	1980 Colombian Air Force[1]
Primary users	United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force United States Navy French Air Force
Number built	2,503[2]
Variants	On Mark Executive, Marketeer, and Marksman

The Douglas A-26 Invader (designated B-26 between 1948 and 1965) is an American twin-engined light bomber and ground attack aircraft. Built by Douglas Aircraft Company during World War II, the Invader also saw service during several major Cold War conflicts. A limited number of highly modified United States Air Force aircraft served in Southeast Asia until 1969. It was a fast aircraft capable of carrying a large bomb load. A range of guns could be fitted to produce a formidable ground-attack aircraft.^[3]

A redesignation of the type from A-26 to B-26 has led to confusion with the earlier and unrelated Martin B-26 Marauder,^[4] which had already been withdrawn from service when the designation was reused.