1:48 Douglas A-26C Douglas invader

The last American attack aircraft of the Second World War

The Douglas A-26 Invader reached the units only in the middle of 1944, and it was immediately clear how much more modern it was than the machines it replaced. It was faster than most twin-engine bombers of the day, it carried a decent load and a single man could fly it. The version with the letter C can be told by the glazed nose in which the bombardier sat, whereas the variant with a solid nose carried a battery of machine guns in his place.

A machine that served longer than it was meant to

The career of the Invader did not end in 1945. Under the later designation B-26 it flew in Korea, and in reworked form it still appeared in the 1960s, so it belongs among the American aircraft with the longest combat service of all. It is precisely that which makes it a rewarding subject, because one and the same airframe can be built in several entirely different finishes.

What the content is

The goods consist of a single printed sheet in 1:48 proportion, intended to complete a finished model. Plastic and resin parts are not part of it and a kit of the Invader has to be obtained separately. The set serves to give a model a particular affiliation and personal markings.

Recommendation on application

The Invader was usually in bare metal or in an olive finish, and both surfaces are demanding for decals. Underlay the places with a gloss layer, therefore, cut close to the print and once dry go over the edges with decal softener. The glazed nose calls for particular attention, as the elements often break over the edges of its frames.

What to bear in mind with this subject

The Invader has a wide wing with a smooth surface and large areas of fuselage with no division, so every uneven edge of print shows on it. It is worth working element by element and letting the model rest in between.