B-26K Counter Invader

USAF Vietnam War Attack Aircraft

In the early 1960s, the USAF faced with the need of having aircraft capable of counterinsurgency operations. Along with the development of specialized aircraft, improvements to existing models were carried out to fulfill these tasks. Improvements, among other things, consisted of strengthening the wing structure and adding eight underwing points of the weapon suspension, installing an increased area rudder, adding fuel tanks at the wingtips and installing dual controls. In the spring of 1964, the USAF received the first B-26K Counter Invader, and the entire order was completed by April 1965. In the spring of 1966, it was decided to deploy these aircraft to Southeast Asia. From the airfields of Thailand, they made combat missions to the territory of Laos.

As Thailand did not allow the bombers to be based on its territory, beginning in May 1966 the aircraft were designated as ground attack aircraft designated A-26A.

It should also be noted that most of the Counter Invaders combat missions took place in the dark. The reason for this was the Vietnamese air defense, which posed a serious threat to piston-powered planes with low speed.

ITEM NUMBER

48279SCALE1:48DATE08.09.2021TIME PERIODAfter 1950MARKINGS-26 64-17651, 56th Special Operations Wing, 609th Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom, 1969-26 64-17649, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 1970-26 64-17645, 56th Special OperationsWing, 609th Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom, 1969-26 64-17679, 1st Special Operations Wing, USAF, late 1960sMODEL SIZE (LENGTH X WIDTH)325 x 455 mmBOX SIZE410 x 260 x 100 mmNUMBER OF DETAILS344