My family operated A-26s for fire fighting in the 70s and 80s and sold the K-model that has been restored in Texas known as Special Kay. I'm glad I got to fly them.

My dad's close friend flew A26's in the Pacific. After flying the B25, he said that the A26 flew like a fighter. He loved the plane for it's power, maneuverability and fire power.

Engineer: Use a gun. And if that don't work, use more gun

My grandfather Arthur Napolin flew this plane in Korea after being recalled for service to the 452nd. His invader was named “Fly By Night” and he flew 72 missions most of them night missions. Thanks for making this video.

This channel really hits that nostalgia of the old History channel and Military channel aviation specials

I have to give this narrator some heavy kudos. He speaks at a quick pace, but very clearly and precisely, and like he knows what he is talking about. His use of a slight dramatic edge to his voice, at appropriate times, kind of keeps your attention. His voice is pleasant, not annoying, like so many are.

"The Grey Ghost", eh? I wanna hear the story of that plane next!

More on the Grey Ghost... "A-26B SN# 43-39427 was built in 1943 at the Douglas plant in Long Beach, California. It was delivered to the USAAF on 8 December 1944. It served with various military units such as the 127th base unit at Florence, South Carolina. 4 January 1944 - 13 November 1945 and the 4160th base unit Air Material Command at Hobbs Field, New Mexico. 13 November 1945 - September 1948, and the 4127th base unit Air Material Command at McLellan Air Force Base in California from September 1948 - 13 March 1950 when it was stricken from the USAF inventory and sold on the civilian market. The aircraft spent 2 years in storage until Alex Oser, a scrap dealer bought it and 13 other A26's in January of 1952, it was sold 19 March 1952 to Texas Railway Equipment Company of Houston one of 9 sold to them, 7 of which ended up going to the French Air Force. The aircraft went thru major modifications April of 1953 when the aircraft was completely disassembled and all systems inspected and repaired or overhauled, it was at this time the aircraft was converted to an executive transport with many luxuries and modifications being done to the aircraft by Grand Central Aircraft Company of Glendale, California. Barnwell Drilling Company of Shreveport, Louisiana bought the A-26 30 December 1961 and made further modifications along the executive transport role. During this time period 1952-1967 the A-26 received best of care and maintenance from Barnwell and Texas Railway Equipment Company. It is said that former Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson had flown on the aircraft as well as John Kennedy!! John Barnwell traded the A-26 on 7 February 1967 for a larger Corvair 240 with Omni Investments, and the N numbers were also swapped in the trade and Invader N75Y became Invader N240P Incorporated. Ownership history and uses are a little sketchy from 1972 to 1977 but they must have been interesting since the aircraft was seized from drug runners by T.L. Baker of the Potter Company. Sheriffs Department in Amarillo on 10 January 1977 after a pilot had landed the aircraft on one engine and walked away from the airplane and authorities became suspicious. A testament to this is that at a particular airshow a few years ago two gentlemen in dark sunglasses seemed rather intrigued by the airplane, finally one of the gentlemen approached a crew member and asked what color the aircraft had been before Ranger Wing acquired it. When told it was white with grey trim he exclaimed "By God it's the "Grey Ghost"!! We chased that sucker up and down the Gulf Coast!! Never could catch him, he'd drop down on the deck and throttle the engines up and leave us there! The two gentlemen where DEA agents."

My dad flew A-26's for Standard Oil. 9,700+ hours he flew them. As a kid I was lucky enough to fly one when I was about fifteen. He and I flew commercial to DC, then we flew an A-26 back to Tulsa. He was in demand to fly A-26's for various reasons. His name was Hurley Boehler.

While I was stationed at Clark AB, P.I. in 1965, several of these came through. We loaded their .50 cal machine guns before they headed off to Vietnam or wherever. Those eight barrels protruding from the nose was an impressive sight. I always thought this aircraft had very graceful lines for a propeller bomber.

A good friend, Robert Converse, his mother Diana Bixby (Converse), owned and flew an A 26 Havoc or Invader called Huntress 11 (Huntress 1 was a Mosquito). She had it pressurized by Paul Mantz in preparation for an around the world record attempt. She flew out of long beach,CA. She made several point to point runs, setting a record from Van Nuys to Denver. Unfortunately she died off coast of Baja, running out of fuel while in fog, attempting a water landing while flying produce to Loreto Baja. Robert carried on the Huntress line with a P-51, Huntress 111. Flew at Reno beginning in1988 thru the early 90's. Beautiful plane. I was fortunate to ride to Merced air show with him in 1988.

The B-26 also saw government service in the 1980s and 90s as an airborn air sampling platform for the EPA based on Las Vegas, NV. I flew a number of those missions myself. It was a very capable and versatile aircraft.

When I used to work "airside" at the local airport, an A-26 Invader rolled up to customs (in 1993) where I worked. I asked to climb in and the pilot said sure, but don't touch anything . . . lol. It was fully restored and a thing of beauty. Cheers ~ Boomer.

The fact that some of these planes still fly today definitely says something about how bad ass our fathers and grandfather's were. This is amazing 👏

My 99 year old father (still kicking) was a Bombardier/Navigator on an A-26 C. He has great stories about training flights out of Florida. He trained in gunnery school, received his Officer's commission in San Antonio, and trained on bombing and navigating. He was preparing to deploy to the South Pacific when the war ended.

Pops was a 26 engine mechanic. He thought it was one of the outstanding aircraft of the war

Amazing aircraft that doesn't get enough credit. Had one of the lowest loss ratios of any plane in ww2. Possibly the only attack aircraft to serve in ww2 through Vietnam. Faster than some ww2 fighters.

An amazing plane. Used into the 1990's as fire bombers in Montana, and featured in the film "Always".

My dad started out in Korea as a waist gunner in B-29s but was transferred to the A-26 as gunner flying out of Pusan. He told me some amazing stories about some of the ground attack missions that they went on. He also said that they never really eliminated the nose gear issue and the gear on his plane collapsed on landing once. He said one guy got in trouble because he struck a mast on a ship with the wingtip and trashed the wing but the plane still flew home!

My father, a B24 navigator in the 5th Air Force, said a pair of these arrived at his station, in transit. Before they left, the pilots took some of the Liberator pilots up to stick them around a bit, and he went as well. Said it was the closest he ever got to flying a fighter.

I remember a National Geographic article from the early 1970s about forest fires and it showed a picture of an A-26 Invader dropping fire retardent on a blaze. It was always one of my favorites.

They had one of these on static display on Chanute AB when I lived there. Beautiful airplane. I remember them mostly because they were used in the movie “Always” as fire fighting aircraft.

Prime example of the success of “keep it simple”. Simple layout + lots of power + lots of guns = attack aircraft

Boy she's a beauty like many other ww2 planes

I want to say: you of the Dark channels do GREAT work! As someone who LOVED airplanes as a kid, I can say I have been entertained as well as learned a lot from your videos. Please keep it up!

14 machine guns. Wow! I thought I knew a fair bit about WW2 planes. Never knew that. I would like to see some strafing films from that. My Dad was a Warrant Officer at an A-26 base in, IIRC, the Philippines. He got some kind fungal infection that bothered him for over twenty years. They finally found a cure, but the outbreaks made him miserable. Both his arms would almost be raw when it flared up.

My grandpa flew A-26s in WWII in Japan off Okinawa. He was the copilot, but the actual pilot fell asleep often so he flew the plane. He joined the Army Air Force because he was seeing all his friends get drafted and being killed. He never seemed to be proud of dropping bombs on people. I understand that, he just did what he had to. He hated pineapple after the war because it was the only fruit he got to eat. He was a good man and I miss him. He passed at age 92.

Although briefly mentioned that it was in service with the French. I’d like to say that the A-26 served with distinction in the first Indochina war. These aircraft were pivotal air assets in use right up to the siege of Dien Bien Phu.

A number of A-26s were converted to fire-fighting duties in BC. I got to watch one rev up for take-off at a short field (actually an abandoned strip of highway) and thunder past me, then climb to a small fire on a nearby mountainside. The underside exploded in a cloud of pink mud, and it turned to duties elsewhere. I'll never forget the sound of those built-for-war engines at full throttle, and the rock steady helmet of the pilot as he flashed past - what a sight!

I turned wrench on both the A-26B and B-26K. They’re awesome aircraft!

Great memories! Got to see plenty of those birds, growing up. They flew for air spray here in Canada. One of my best memories was being up in Northern Alberta during a particularly harsh fire season. I was walking to a corner store to pick up some bevy’s when, I hear the drone of twin wasp radials approaching my location. Suddenly, an A-26 at ~1500-2000 ft. rips right overhead. I was always in awe at how long those planes were flying for. Stupid Canadian gov grounded them for “climate” reasons. I swear, those planes would still be flying today, given half the chance.

My grandpa worked on these in Vietnam, this and the T-28 are his favorites

“I got a fever! And the only prescription, is more nose gun!”

Love the Invader! My dad worked on one called "Gator Invader" just before it moved to Greece. I was in the cockpit during a ground run-up that resulted in an engine fire, which the pilot quickly put out.

I used to work at an air museum and my boss was the tail gunner of this plane. The only thing he hit with those guns was his own tailfin lol

The B-25 Mitchell and the A-26 Invader are my two favorite medium bombers/ground attack aircraft of WW2. Thank you for making these fantastic videos. 👏👏👏

Actually a pretty good summary. And, apart from the F-100s dropping napalm to represent Invaders bombing Cuba, the video actually represents what's being discussed. Well done! I had to look up the 'Grey Ghost'. The story is the aircraft started as a night interdictor over Germany in 1944 and after WWII was sent to the reserve and then stored. After disposal by the US military in '58 it was first used by TI for radio trials and then converted as a fire bomber before being sold into private hands. At this point it was used for the illegal import business mentioned until being seized by the DEA. It was eventually acquired by the Commemorative Air Force and put on display before being renovated and returned to flying status.

My father flew the A26/B26 in WWII and Korea. He said it was a fast and highly maneuverable plane. The 'B' version, with its 6 or 8 .50 machine guns in the nose, was greatly feared by enemy ground troops. Unfortunately, the 8 gun version almost always jammed and there was no way of clearing the jam in the air.

Cool fact, it could out turn a BF- 109G. Sounds impossible but research it. It was fast and extremely maneuverable. It could turn so hard it would break the center wings spar. Truly great aircraft.

My Father flew them in Korea, the Bomber version, the attack version and then finally the Mac plane, which had an infrared scope in the nose to track trains at night. hit them with a phosphorous missile and the rest would come in and destroy them. We have one a John Wayne Airport in Orange County at the Lyons museum. Those men were real heroes.

In mid-1974 I examined a B 26 of the Indonesian Air Force (AURI) at Harlim Airbase Jakarta. It was fitted with 16, 50 cal guns and still had the US Army Air Force communications equipment fitted. Also stowed in the bomb bay was a set of golf clubs. I believe it was used in Irian Jaya.

That one Dislike as of this comment's writing, probably was from one of those who kept complaining about the speech rate of the voiceover.

These were simulated in the first online multiplayer air to air combat simulator, Air Warrior, in the late 1980's .. I've probably got thousands of hours in these things from Air Warrior... My all time favorite combat aircraft. Thank you so much for all the wonderful footage of them in the air. :)

My dad knew a guy who had one converted into a "company" plane. He had wide windows installed. Impressive taking off a grass strip in the early 1960's.

It's not the only bomber to serve in three different major wars. The B52 is another obvious example, having served in Vietnam, Iraq(Desert Storm, and OIF), Afghanistan, and Syria.

Engineer: How many guns do you want General: yes Engineer: seriously, how many General: more. Engineer: more? General: *MORE DAKKA*

A friend of mine was bombadier on a B-26, actually the A-26, in Korea. All night missions. They didn't want to get caught after sunrise. He was a B-17 bombadier in WW2. One of the nicest guys I've known.

Thank you, Dark Skies. -- The airframe handled many roles. -- The "grey ghost" comment, at the end of the video,... IS AWESOME!!

The more .50 cal's the better!

Always loved this plane. I saw it for the first time as a pre teen at Mitchell AFB on LI Ny around 1959 where it was visiting as the personal plane of a visiting officer of high rank. It had a custom paint job and curtains in the rear windows. She was a slick looker. I later saw my next one at the Air Force museum.

No requirement to speak so fast. These are America's Greatest Aircraft and we love the Stories behind them. Dad was chief Armorer on A-20,B-24,B-29,B-47. RIP Sarge.

A local "Forest Fire Fighting Aerial" Company purchased a few retired A-26's for use as retardant bombers in the 60's. One came to him with a few bullet holes in it. They were used well into the 90's.

My Grandfather flew this in Africa and Italy during WWII

The RB-26C remained in operation well past 1950. Even some of the B-26Ks were outfitted as RB versions. There were also dedicated Recon Squadrons that flew the RB model throughout the Korean War.

We had A-26s at Nakhom Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base when I was there in 1969. They were all painted black for flying night missions over the Trail in Laos.

I really needed to see footage of the 15 gun model lighting something up.

For years an A-26 was sitting at Archerfield airport in Brisbane, Australia. It is now being restored to flying condition. It will be good to see and hear it fly.

8:17 father of unlucky Brian: Had 12 guns. All jammed at the same time xd

That's one gagster of an attack aircraft with one hell of a career.

Great info on the Douglas A-26 Invader. There is a beautiful one at the Lyon Museum in Orange County CA. 1:44 NACA (the forerunner to NASA) is typically pronounced as the four separate letters, not a phonetically, as if it were an actual word.

Engineer: "So what do you need? Besides a miracle. " A-26: "We need guns. Lots of guns."

I absolutely love this airplane. Built a kit for it twice.

A/B-26 is one of best looking WWII era planes. Great lines and proportions.

In the early 1990's l hiked to an A-26 crash site in California to retrieve the horizontal mounting forks. It was with a group of my Dad's friends. I was only a teenager. We gave the parts to Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa where they're restoring an A-26. The only piece of the plane at the crash site was the tail. It is a memory l cherish...

I love that last part, Drug smuggling plane. Good old Barry Seal Cocaine Cowboy days. Love it. its only a crime if you get caught. A+.

I love this and the 12 gun Havoc the Brits had.

My Dad flew A20's with the Grim Reapers in New Guinea... This is cool. Thx for the post.

Yup. I loved that A 26 / B 26. I am sooo glad I took photos with a few of them.

I’ve always loved the Invader, since I was a kid the A-26 was always one of my favorite combat aircraft. I just love the styling, although I could never decide if it looked like a fighter version of a bomber, or a bomber version of a fighter!

The Invader would also be used as an Attack fire fighter bomber. There are a couple of them used in the movie "Always," starring Richard Dreyfus and John Goodman.

Thanks for all the Videos you put out! I have enjoyed everyone so far, Keep up the good work!

Also they had as many 50 cals as a B-17 fortress in a much smaller package....very impressive !!!!

Designer: so how many guns do u want? Airforce: ALL 👏 OF 👏 THEM 👏

I would love to know how fast the “Grey Ghost” went in those flights avoiding the DEA, i’d imagine after the extensive refits and modifications she could reach some ridiculous speeds compared to anything the DEA could field at the time.

There is a high pitched ringing that starts during the last few minutes of the video. It freaked my dog the hell out.

Looks like General George King got over-ruled by the powers that be. My Dad's 90th Attack Squadron, 3rd Bomb Group, 5th AAF, took possession of the Invader during their stay in the Philippines in '44 and they loved it enough to replace both their B25s and few A20s. . It was fast enough to be difficult enough to catch that their P38 escorts would jump the Japanese fighters as they were struggling to reel the A26s in. My dad was the gunner who got into the war late and claimed that he never got to use the .50 cal. turrets in defense of his aircraft, through the remainder of the war, because of the A26's speed and their deadly P:38 escorts which included, among others, the two leading US aces Richard Bong and Thomas McGuire. The 90th was one of the first 3 "parafrag" squadrons that would approach their targeted IJA airfields on the deck. The Invader was also easier than the A20 for the gunner to get out of should they have to ditch in the Pacific during any skip bombing missions against armed IJA transports although my dad was'nt in on any of those missions that late in the war. They did however shoot up trains and ammo dumps and the like over the home Islands which was no good place, for bomber crews especially, to be shot down and captured in.

I wanna know about the grey ghost now.

The DEA fellas quoted at the end saw first hand why the CIA operated these planes. Talk about the ultimate platform for moving cocaine out of Central America into CONUS! They used to fly them through Louisiana and the Florida panhandle into Arkansas to make their drops 😂

I was crew chief of the A26's at Nakon Phanom Royal Thai Air base in 1967. We lost one of our Eagles during that assignment.

The final anecdote about the Drug Runners is priceless… Reminds me of a movie I watched in my childhood, of a Wartime Motor Torpedo Boat pressed into service after WW2, for use as a super fast vehicle for smuggling contraband in the Mediterranean & outrunning Customs vessels.

A few notes on the stellar A-26 Invader. Still flying today as fire retardant bombers. Could turn to the right with a P-51 Mustang (empty no rockets on wings or bombs). The 14 forward firing 50's could sink a small destroyer. Carried same bomb load as B-17G (The B-17 rigged for long range bombing mission). When a pilot was to tall for a Mustang the pilot was offered the A-26 it had built in leg room.

i never thought of this, but i wonder how many people have died from falling bullets from aircraft back in them days. bullets that werent intended for them, but intended for other aircraft

God !... What a machine,,never heard that much about these till your vidio..they were and still are incredible planes..out running the atf planes man you got to love that !!!! And those engines are works of art wow !!!...that old radial magic hitting way above there weight..way above !!!!

Love the vids!!! Honestly better than some documentaries on netflix and stuff... surprised u dont have more subcribers! Cheers

Looks very useful......like the A10.

I would think that many guns in the nose would effect weight and balance when you run out of ammo. But I guess as fuel is used and bombs dropped it might even out.

Always a joy to watch any of your videos. It had to be great fun when dropping in om a straffing run. What a ride.

Great video. This is one of my favorite channels. All of their videos are really good.

A-10:My daddy served in WW2!

Maybe this is a personal issue, I'm really sensitive to high pitched sounds, and after 10:30 the audio gets a high pitched tone in the background. Maybe it's due to that specific audio track after that point. Don't know if anyone cares. A little curious if anyone noticed though.

Love your channels and the great content! Keep it up!

There were always A-26s flying, they didn't stop in 1986 and began flying recently. A-26s were used as firebombers from the 70 till the early 2000s and have been in use as executive airplanes from the 50s and as warbirds all the way from the late 70s till today. A-26s have continuously been flying for the past 75 years or so years !!

I see room for more .50s......

Is there a Dark Land series? Sea and sky are covered so well. ("Dark Soil" might sound a little weird or confusing.)

This guys voice and cadence is spot on. I love this channel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your video quality keeps getting better and better Bro⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Why are there no gun camera footage, especially in the ground attack role?

Must be exhausting talking the way you do.

One of your best videos I've seen. Excellent!

Saw one at an airshow once...Pilot flew it around like a twin engine fighter..