43-22424

A-26B-20 Invader

Builders: Douglas Aircraft Company
Operators: United States Air Force
Number Built: 153 (99-DL, 54-DT)
First Built: Jul 1944
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Type: Light Attack Bomber
Wet Weight: 31,000 lbs
Length: 50' 9" (with guns) 49' 11" (without guns)
Height: 18' 6" (5.64 m)
Wingspan: 70' (21.34 m)
Wing Area: 540 Sq. Feet (50.17 m²)
Speed: 212 mph
Max Speed: 370 mph
Ceiling: 31,300 feet
Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27
Horsepower: 2,000 each
Fuel Capacity: 1,600 US Gallons
Range:
Crew: 3
Passengers: 1
ARMAMENT
Nose Guns: 6x .50 Machine Guns
Dorsal Turret: 2x .50 Machine Guns
Ventral Turret: 2x .50 Machine Guns
Payload: 4,000 lbs internal 2,000 lbs wing points
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Identifying Marks: "225" on the fuselage.

This plane was lost on 15 Dec 1944. It crashed into the jungle of Brazil on a routine, non-combat flight. Based on the time period involved, and the technical problems that other Invaders of this era encountered, my guess is that this plane probably crashed due to engine failure. However, this is only my educated guess looking at accident reports from this time. As far as I have been able to ascertain, no wreckage or bodies were ever found or recovered, and as such, the exact cause of the disappearance cannot be determined. I will continue to search the archives for mention of this plane. If you happen to know any of details of this plane, please let us know.

Operational History

569th Army Air Force Base Unit.

14 Dec 1944 - Departed unknown AB in FL to travel to Belem, Brazil. (Based on information from correspondence from family of the crew - See MACR 14085 (below)).

15 Dec 1944 - Lost during non-combat mission from Belem, Brazil to Natal, Brazil. The flight departed at 1534 GMT, but never arrived at Natal. The plane disappeared between Belem and the first check in point at Sao Luiz.

From the letter from Sgt. Smith's father it appears as though some Search and Rescue efforts were undertaken, however records of these efforts are not included in the MACR file.

Accidents

None listed.

Crew

1st Lt. Grimes, Charles A. (Pilot)
1st Lt. Dingwell, Laverne G. (Navigator)
Sgt. Smith, Norman Robert "Bob" (Gunner)

Disposition

Crashed into jungle, destroyed.

Images

The Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 14085. Contrast adjusted to improve readability

This MACR File is somewhat unusual. It does not include the typical MACR form. It also does not include any eyewitness statements, which leads me to believe that the plane disappeared while on a flight by itself. This is further supported by language in the document itself where the air base commander. This file seems to have been kicked off by a letter from the parents of the gunner aboard this flight.