Spirit Lives On, The

Flight Journal, Apr 2005 by Lindley, Scott

THE DOUGLAS INVADER (S/N 44-35911) Spirit of North Carolina returned to its home base of Wilmington, North Carolina, after completing its fifth airshow circuit season. Painted in distinctive black and red, the aircraft authentically represents the 13th Bomb Squadron, which was known as "The Devil's Own Grim Reapers" during the Korean War. The 13th's history began in 1918 flying SPAD XIIIs and, , most recently, B-1B Lancers.

The aircraft itself has an interesting military history, but not with the USAF. It was one of the first Invaders loaned to the French Air Force in late 1950, and it was used in French Indochina (today's Vietnam) from 1951 to 1955. It flew more than 300 bombing missions from bases in Saigon, Tourane (Da Nang) and Hanoi as part of Bomb Group GB 1/19 "Gascogne."

Today, the aircraft performs at airshows from Michigan to Florida and has participated in events such as The Gathering of Corsairs, the 60th Reunion of the Doolittle Raiders and the Centennial of Flight Celebration. The aircraft and its crew continue to keep alive the history of the 13th Bomb Squadron and all Invader men worldwide.

-Scott Lindley