WWII – The 3rd BG flew A-26’s in July 1944 as initial evaluations group of the Invader, however it didn’t convert to the Invader at that time and was not intended to. The group continued flying its A-20’s as part of the Fifth A.F. based at San Jose, Philippine’s, the group started transition to the A-26 in the late spring of ‘45’. In the mid-summer of the war, it flew both the A-20 and A-26 in offensive operations against Formosa. The USAAF final mission of WWII, against Formosa, occurred on July 12 when A-26’s only, attacked a sugar refinery. Moving to Okinawa, a few missions were flown against the Japanese homeland, including a strike at the Tarumizu air factory.

The war ended and the 3rd BG transferred to Atsugi AB on September 8th, serving as an occupation force, with final conversion to the A-26 by the end of the month. The 3rd was the first unit to fly O.D. colored aircraft and all were built without the lower turret.

Post WWII

U.S armed forces drew down quickly after the war. USAAF standardized on the A-26, retiring the A-20, B-25 and B-26. A few active A-26 units survived with many Air-Guard or Reserve units getting the Invader. The USAF was born in 1947, the “A” (Attack) designation was retired and the A-26 was redesignated B-26, to the chagrin of WWII Marauder crews, classified now as a light bomber from its original medium bomber designation.

Korea

The breakout of the Korean war saw FEAF assets undermanned in air crew and aircraft. To stem the initial invasion the short-legged F-80, F-51’s, B-26 and some F-82’s was thrown into the fray, along with B-29’s of the 19th BG (medium) at Kadena Okinawa. By the November 1950, most North Korean strategic targets had been leveled by 5 B-29 groups. Just before the Chinese entered the war two B-29 groups had been withdrawn.

From day 1, the tactical B-26 was in high demand, In-fact the 3rd BW had only 2 Invader squadrons and 25 operational aircraft, however no more than two groups of Invaders were available to FEAF at any given time during the war. The 3BW operated throughout the war.

I would strongly suggest to review the resources to learn more about the Invader in Korea. Warren Thompson is an excellent author and historian on the aircraft used in Korea, authoring a number of books for Osprey publications: (I.E. Combat Aircraft; AD Skyraider Units of the Korean War (114), F9F Panther Units of the Korean War (103). Aircraft of the Aces; F-86 Sabre Aces of the 4th Fighter Wing (72)).

The 6th Chadwick

This was Lt. Col Robert Fortney, CO of the 13th BS, personal aircraft. Chadwick was the call sign for the 13th Bomb Squadron when it served in the Pacific in WWII. The tradition was that the CO's plane was named Chadwick. Through loss and damage, they came to be numbered.

When the Korean War started, they were already at the “The 5th Chadwick” which was an OD painted 8-gun nose B-26 that had seen action in WWII. It's unknown what happened the 5th Chadwick, but it was eventually replaced by the 6th Chadwick, a 6-gun nose B-26B. With the 6th Chadwick came a new tradition, that the whole nose of the plane being painted red, which was authorized for the 6th and 7th Chadwick by Fortney. In early 1952, The 6th Chadwick nose was badly damaged when Fortney attacked a column of trucks with rockets. One of the trucks exploded as he pulled up over the target. It was duly flown to Japan for a new nose section. About two months later a young Lt. returning from a mission decided to do two barrel roles over the base, inflicting fatal damage to the wing spars. The Invader was classed 26’d, (written off). The references don’t say what happened to the Lt, he may have had a lotta KP duty.

While the Chadwick tradition was stopped by the Air Force after the 7th Chadwick was lost, painting the nose red was continued into the post war years. Recently, members of the 13th Bomb Squadron at Dyess, TX revived the Chadwick tradition by naming one of their B-1B Lancer Bombers the 8th Chadwick! Reaper Pride and Reaper Tradition! Picture from the 13th Bomb Squadron Association site https://13thbombsquadron.net/history.htm

The model is a 1/48 scale PRO-Model B-26B. I bought this at a club auction, and the aircraft was partially built, interior, fuselage and wings. Both cowlings had melted lead weights, I hoped the previous owner had weighed things out properly as the model is a tail sitter, it does come with a clear plastic peg to keep it on all three landing gears. Well, once attached the nose came down and it sits pretty.

1. A-26 Invader Units of World War 2 #82. Osprey Publishing by Jim Roeder

2. B-26 Invader Units Osprey Frontline Color #4. Osprey Publishing, by Warren Thompson.

3. A-26 Invader in action. Squadron/signal publications #134, by Jim Mesko.

4. Albatros Naughty Invaders ALC/48014 Instruction Sheet.