Invader

Air Classics, Oct 2002 by O'Leary, Michael

PART 3 IN FOREIGN USE, THE B-26 HAD A SIGNIfICANT INFLUENCE IN SOME Of THE WORLDS HOT-SPOTS

BIAFRA

During the 1960's, a series of bloody wars tore apart the former British colony of Nigeria. These wars were mainly tribal in nature with the eastern region of the country being home to the Ibo tribe and they soon became the target of other tribes, resulting in further massacures. In 1967, the eastern region was declared an independent state with the name Biafra. Biafra had considerable man-power and a reasonably efficient military but lacked weapons and equipment. Nigeria was better equipped and began acquiring aircraft with which to attack Biafra. Through a series of middlemen, Biafra acquired a B-26R (radar research aircraft, 41-39531) from France and this Invader arrived in Biafra in June 1967. Camouflaged, a single light machine gun was mounted in the nose and on 26 July, the plane attacked an enemy frigate while home-made bombs were thrown from the bomb bay. Some other B-26 missions were flown including a daring attack on Kano airfield in northen Nigeria where a number of MiGs had just arrived and some damage was done. A second ex-french RB-26P (44-34312) arrived in mid-1967 and homemade rocket-launch ers were installed on this aircraft. By this time, the first B-26 had become non-flyable and was used as a parts source. Two B-25s also arrived and joined the B-26 in attacks. On one raid, the B-26 received minor damage but a lack of spare parts kept it on the ground. Nigerian forces reached Port Harcourt on captured the airport in May 1968, capturing the B-26, B-25, and a DC-3. Oddly, the Nigerians began to repair the B-26 but a Biafran Air Force commando unit attacked the field and heavily damaged the bomber, thus ending Invader operations in this costly conflict.

BRAZIL

Important ally of the USA, the Forca Aerea Brasileira operated a wide variety of US types after the war and was offered 28 Invaders under MDAP. Aircraft were in storage at Davis-Monthan and then overhauled by Fairchild and delivered to Brazil between late 1957/early 1958. Used for attack and maritime patrols duties, Brazil did not have the aircraft re-spared as part of Project Wing Spar (1964-65) which saw 53 other Latin Invaders modified in Panama. Major cracks were found in some of the aircraft spars in 1966 and a contract was taken with Hamilton Aircraft, Tucson, Arizona, that saw the remaining 16 best aircraft rebuilt and receiving new systems, equipment. One aircraft was very corroded and scrapped and Hamilton added three "new" aircraft from their huge supply of airframes. After a period of operation, more wing cracks were found and the type was retired in late 1975. One civilian Invader, N115RG, was impounded for smuggling and used as a transport until early 1975.

CHILE

Largest Latin operator of Invaders, Chile was the first Ahab,, Latin American nation to have a modern medium bomber force - starting with Junkers Ju 86s and progressing to NAA B-25Js. Starting in 1954, the Fuerrza Aerea de Chile would receive. around 43 Invaders (mainly B-26Cs). Extensively operated, the aircraft were inspected for Project Wing Spar by a joint US/Chilean team but the spars on 17 of the aircraft were found to be so bad that they could not be economically repaired and the strength of Groupo 8 (the unit operating the type) went, in 1965, from 38 to 21 operational aircraft. Even on the aircraft which had received the spar modification, age began to catch up to the Invaders and in 1968 the fleet was down to 16 aircraft. A few target tugs modifications soldiered on into 1979 when they were scrapped.

COLOMBIA

Starting in 1954, seven Invaders were supplied to the Fuerza Aerea Colombiana but this would grow to 19 aircraft which were, theoretically, to be used in the maritime/anti-submarine role. By the time of Project Wing Spar, only nine aircraft were operational. Accidents and limited spare parts further reduced the fleet. Two were still airworthy in 1968 and the type made its last flight in 1972.

CUBA

Perhaps one of the most corrupt of all Latin American countries (no small task), the Fuerza Aerea del Ejercito de Cuba would eventually receive 18 Invaders in late 1956. A problem with insufficient pilot and mechanic training hindered the number of hours flown but B-26s took part in a September 1957 attack on a Cuban Navy rebellion. The Batista regime was increasingly threatened by rebels led by Fidel Castro and Invaders made attacks on what they considered enemy encampments which were often local villages. The pilots of the Invaders began to be hated by rebels and locals alike. When Batista fled the country on I January 1959, the rebels and Castro inherited the air force - many of the combat pilots had also fled. The Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria managed to get six Invaders operational by the time of the Bay of Pigs. Three were destroyed on the ground by attacking Liberation Air Force aircraft while another was shot down attacking the invasion support ships. One of the survivors was shot-up by Castro's forces who mistook it for a Liberation aircraft and FAR operation of the Invader concluded with the end of the invasion.