The WWII Plane Armed with the Most Insane Cannons

The Douglas A-26 Invader was one of the most remarkable light bombers of World War II and beyond. Designed to replace the A-20 Havoc, it promised both speed and devastating firepower. Yet, its early service revealed flaws that challenged crews and engineers alike. Over time, adjustments in tactics and design changes allowed the Invader to build a reputation that carried through three different wars.

Designing a New Attacker

In 1941, the Douglas Aircraft Company began work on a bomber that would surpass the A-20. The prototype, called the XA-26, first flew in July 1942. Test pilots praised its speed and smooth handling but raised concerns about visibility in the glass-nosed model. The U.S. Army Air Forces quickly decided to produce two versions: one with a clear nose for bombing, and one with a solid gun nose for strafing. This decision would shape the Invader’s reputation as a deadly ground attack aircraft.

Strengths in Engineering

The Invader’s construction blended light weight and strength. Its laminar flow wing, also used on the P-51 Mustang, gave high speed with reduced drag. Remote-controlled turrets, each carrying twin .50 caliber Browning machine guns, provided defensive coverage without adding extra gunners. Two powerful Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp engines gave it a top speed of about 350 miles per hour and allowed it to carry up to 4,000 pounds of bombs. When fitted with gun packs, the A-26 could unleash up to 14 forward-firing .50 caliber guns, making it one of the most heavily armed light bombers ever built.

Trouble in the Pacific

The Invader’s first combat was in 1944 with the Fifth Air Force in New Guinea. Crews flying the glass-nosed A-26C soon complained that visibility at low altitude was poor. Attacking treetop-level targets in the jungle required instant sight lines, and the design made attack runs hazardous. The aircraft itself was strong and fast, but in the dense Pacific terrain, its layout worked against the crews.

Success in Europe

The Invader found its true place in Europe later that year. Delivered to the Ninth Air Force in England, it quickly proved its worth in raids against rail yards, bridges, and transport lines in occupied France. The gun-nosed A-26B became especially feared, combining speed with overwhelming firepower. By early 1945, the Invader had flown thousands of sorties and dropped more than 18,000 tons of bombs. Units praised its efficiency, and the aircraft became a favorite for tactical strikes across Europe and Italy.

Korean War Night Intruder

When war broke out in Korea in 1950, the Invader was again called into action. It flew the first American bombing missions of the war and the last before the armistice in 1953. Its role as a night intruder was especially dangerous. Crews hunted trains and convoys under moonless skies, often using powerful searchlights to expose targets while flying through heavy gunfire. Over the course of the war, Invader units flew more than 50,000 sorties and destroyed countless vehicles and supply trains. The aircraft proved reliable but demanded skill, as asymmetric thrust or heavy loads could quickly test a pilot.

Adaptation in Southeast Asia

In the 1960s, the Invader returned in modified form as the B-26K, later called the A-26A Counter Invader. Strengthened wings, upgraded engines, and modern equipment allowed it to fly missions in Southeast Asia, where it struck targets along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. These missions were grueling, with aircraft flying low in mountain passes and taking fire from small arms and anti-aircraft guns. Careful modernization extended the aircraft’s service life and kept it effective even two decades after its first flight.

Legacy of a Workhorse

The A-26 served under multiple designations and in the hands of many nations. Some airframes continued working as firefighting aircraft well into the 1970s. Restored examples still fly today, their engines echoing the past. Crews remembered the Invader as honest, adaptable, and dangerous in combat. Its story spans three major wars, making it one of the most enduring and heavily armed aircraft of its time.