Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA3201

Douglas A-26B Invader Diecast Model

USAAF 386th BG, 552nd BS, Stinky #43-22369, Beaumont, France, 1945

1:72 Scale Length Width

Douglas A-26B Invader 8.25" 11.75"

Previously displayed and in Excellent to near Mint condition

Please check out the photos

One variant of the Douglas A-26 Invader was the "B" series. Douglas built 1,560 A-26B's. 205 were built in Tulsa Oklahoma with another 1,355 coming from Long Beach California. In July 1944 the 553rd Bombardment Squadron began mission testing the new A-26 but by September this had been suspended because of technical problems.

The 386th Bombardment Group "The Crusaders" arrived in Beaumont-sur-Oise, France on Oct 2, 1944 with their Martin B-26 Marauders. Shortly after the Ardennes campaign the 386th BG received the much improved Douglas A-26 Invader.

Douglas A-26B Invader

Designed as a single-pilot light attack bomber, the A-26 first flew on July 10, 1942. Built by Douglas Aircraft Company, this twin-engined aircraft was met with little enthusiasm in the Pacific Theatre, prompting General George Kenney to proclaim "We do not want the A-26 under any circumstances as a replacement for anything." The early A-26 suffered from poor visibility, a problem that was corrected in 1944 when a clamshell canopy replaced the earlier "flat-topped" style. Later models were well-received in Europe, and the A-26 went on to become a greatly successful bomber, also serving in the Korean War and in several major Cold War Conflicts.

Hobby Master's 1:72 scale A-26 Invader is loaded with quality features. The fully rendered cockpit interior features a detailed large center console and equipment boxes. The the rear gunner's compartment has a masterfully recreated ocular periscope system and the aft fuselage features rotating dorsal and ventral machine gun turrets. The solid metal wing has razor-thin leading and trailing edges and crisp panel line details. For easy configuration, the nose gear, main gear, and bomb bay area are molded as single snap-in units that include the doors in the opened position. Some releases include eight nose-mounted machine guns and/or four optional under-wing mounted machine gun pods.

Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series

The Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.

Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.

Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.

Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".

Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.