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Post by volkssturm on Feb 6, 2013 0:23:17 GMT -5
Interesting story here: news.msn.com/obits/battle-of-midway-hero-jim-muri-diesThe B26 medium bomber was the only Army Air Corps bomber able to carry torpedoes. I think Midway was the only battle where they actually used them in combat. Four B26's launched a torpedo attack against the Japanese. None hit and three of the planes were shot down. Must have been one helluva ride.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 6, 2013 3:04:01 GMT -5
The B26s saw extensive duty in Vietnam which is a little known fact they were extensively used in the secret bombing missions over Laos attacking the supply routes known as the Ho Hi Mihn Trail. There were many of them stationed in NKP Thailand even into the early 70s. Seriously nasty looking planes with massive guns and cannon in the nose and rocket packs seemingly everywhere. I'm sure there are plenty of pictures of them somewhere but we werent supposed to photograph them.
It was probably a pretty cool plane to fly. It was faster and more robust than the similar B-25 famous in the Doolittle raid.
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Post by brownien on Feb 6, 2013 10:11:01 GMT -5
Are you thinking of the A-26 Invader? Once the USAAF became the USAF, the A-26's designation became the B-26. This is why the A-26 Invader and the B-26 Maurauder are often confused.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 6, 2013 22:58:24 GMT -5
These were ww2, twin engined bombers adapted to become ground attack aircraft. I think their original nickname was "havok"
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Post by brownien on Feb 6, 2013 23:30:26 GMT -5
Ah the A-20 Havoc! I know they were often employed much like the A-26 and the later model B-25's were as ground attack aircraft. B-26 Maurauders were almost always limited to the Med-Low alt bomber role, but those A-20's, A-26's, and B-25's sure could do a number with that barrage of machine gun fire!
P.s. Being a WW2 aircraft buff is what got be interested in the other branches of WW2 service!
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 12, 2013 18:02:55 GMT -5
I think you are right with the desgnation A20. they were camo painted and extremely well armed. They looked very cool indeed and there were a bunch of them. In addition lots of skyraiders and AF rescue choppers were secretly based at NKP Thailand right on the Mekong River across from Laos. Late in the war many, if not most over the fence operation flew out of Thailand as did the Son Tay Raid.
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