A-26 Invader Startup: P&W R-2800s in All Their Glory !

[Bellakelpie]

Actually there is something that can beat a P&W. It's called a Wright R3350 Turbo Compound.

[octane130]

@Bellakelpie:I got to see the arrival of the Yanks Air Museum's Lockheed Super Constellation at Chino Airport (Calif.) two weekends ago. It took 7 years to get this aircraft flyable to ferry it to Chino from Camarillo, Calif. This aircraft, of course, has the turbo-compound Wright R-3350s. One of the most complicated radial engines ever built, if not THE most complicated (even more complicated the the P&W R-4360). It has three exhaust-driven "power recovery turbines" per engine.

[Bellakelpie]

@octane130 I was lucky enough to witness the "Golden Years" of aviation when Radial Engined Airliners were the norm, rather than confined to the airshow circuit.

I got to fly on all the big Douglas's and also Super Connies. What memory's.

I now regularly get to see the H.A.R.S. C121C (L1049F) Super Connie on the Aussie airshow circuit and am looking forward to seeing both their DC4 and C131C (CV340) both currently undergoing restoration, join the Connie on flying displays.

[26Invader]

How in the HELL does this video get 6 dislikes???? Nothing beats P&W Radials. Not like that Merlin-British crap... Pratts are 100 percent kick-in-your-butt POWER!!!!

[TheOnlyMuffydarling]

Hello Boys :)

My Daddy Flew This ACFT in the Early Days, Have the Records to Prove.... His "Girlfrend"... Gigglez :) He's 93 today but...still Loves Her!!! "She" has a Place in the Family Fotos!!! Have A Great Day :)

Walt's Daughter....

Huge Huggz:)

[Fireheart528]

One good pair of Pratt & Whitney engines in a WWII warbird=the best sounding engines and one heck of a plane!

[oktobercat]

Good to see these classic planes in caring hands, it,s a shame more of them were not saved from the boneyards, these mighty metal birds give us a noble heritage link to the past, the start up sequence is pure ear candy.55/5

[Fireheart528]

@oktobercat I wish someone would put one of those engines in a car or truck. Then you'd really give people a suprise--they'd be like "What the hell you got in that car?!?"

[sking0369]

WOW !!

Were there any twin engined P&W powerd planes that used 1 right hand turning and 1 left hand turning engines

[DC3Dreams]

PolyWeave - You are correct, almost. I have flown the A-26 in formation with a P-51. But the stock '51 could outrun the stock '26 in level flight at 18,000 (with the 26 in high blower). On the other hand, the On-Mark conversion (Marksman) with the water injected 2800s would stay with the 51 in level flight. I wasn't flying when this "test" was performed, but I was there :-)

[canals22]

Pratts always seem to smoke more than Wrights on start up...

[ThePolyweave]

This a/c when clean and light could run with the mustang.The grumman f7f tigercat was a lighter and cleaner a/c with the same power plants.

[keefer2111]

all this plane is is a P38 on steroids..it was one hellova fighter..

[MasonZstudios]

@keefer2111 More like a P-38 on ether and steroids!

[luridplanet]

Very underappreciated bomber, the fastest of WWII. The favorite post-war bomber of south american air forces, and of the CIA. I believe a few had R-4360s, 3000HP!

[Solar132]

OK guys, B-26 >> Rounded tips on wings and tail. A-26 >> Square tips on wings and tail. A-26 was renamed B-26 for a while during Korean war, reverted to A-26. One version of A-26 has 16 , sixteen, .50 caliber machine guns in the nose and 10 5 inch artillery rockets under the wings. (ouch!!)

[TheOnlyMuffydarling]

Its OFF!!! Where is Your Crew Chief????  Huggz

[BrianBinOR]

If it has a bombardier's position, isn't it a B-26 Marauder, not an A-26 Invader?

[Paladin601]

@BrianBinOR YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT AIRCRAFT B-26 MADE BY MARTIN AIRCRAFT, A 26 BY DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT. NOT SURE WHY THE GAVE IT THE SAME DESIGNATION.

[justforever96]

@BrianBinOR The Marauder is a totally different airplane than the A-26...the Invader never became the B-26 until the Marauders had been phased out, and "Attack" craft became generally smaller, like the Skyraider. Most Invaders were built with a solid nose, and most Marauders with glass noses, but both types used both. A simple change of nose wouldn't be enough to warrant a designation change, unless it was "A-26B" to "A-26J". A major change would change the number before the letter, ie "A-32"

[MrSatoV]

My office window overlooks the runway at Van Nuys airport (nothing between me and the runway except a parking lot and a few small hangars) and I see this thing of beauty take off and land fairly frequently. Never fails to quicken my pulse when I see it. Now, how can I get a ride in that thing...?

[railroader100]

"Another poor sport Brit. because good? 'ole U.S.A. pulled there butts out of WW11 and it still hurts!"

You brought up nationalities FIRST. If you cant remember what you have written, or indeed be bothered to look it up, then I suggest that you dont argue.

Also, Britain won the Battle of Britain, singlehandedly [with some help from Poles, Canadians, etc], and thus was safe from invasion. It was only much later, Dec 10th 1941, that America joined the fray.

[SpenzOT]

@railroader100 2 words....lend-lease.

Also where do you think you got your food and aviation fuel from huh?

[railroader100]

The states, but that was after the BOB 1939. Like I said in the first place.

[markfrav]

Well since the BOB went on until like October of 1940 and the BOA started in late 1939 (as did the BOB) and it was our merchant and naval crews providing you with your ass wipes and other necessities, I'd say the good old colonies did there fair share in saving your collective asses. Also without a western front the USSR would have been a large German territory. No one country beat the Nazis. And if you think jolly old Blighty could've held out on her own...well think again.

[lander4545]

Those engines are 2000hp. supercharged Pratt & Whitney's. With 8 or more 50 caliber machine guns up front she was one of the most feared planes of WW11. This plane could actually out turn a German ME-109 and keep up with the North American P-51 Mustang in speed!

[railroader100]

Not quite true- The engines were 1,900hp and its top speed was 237mph, about 200mph short of the Mustang! Get your facts right, and it doesnt look like it could turn, too ungainly and its tail fin too big.

[lander4545]

Typical Brit reading from history books with a British flare again! I'm surprised you didn't tell me that British engineers developed this engine to! YOU are wrong! The Pratt & Whitney R-2800 27 double wasp 18-cylinder radial engine produced 2,000 h.p. in standard form,2,200 h.p. with water injection and 2,400 h.p. with alcohol injection for a max.speed of 355 m.p.h. This would allow the invader to keep up with a Mustang that wasn't at full throttle. Feather the throttle and you turn on a dime!

[railroader100]

I got those figures from an American newsreel, later variants of the R-2800 did indeed have a higher output, but 355mph is still 100 mph short of a P51D- ie nowhere near. And it was the job of the P51 to match the speed of the bombers while on escort duty- not the other way round.

[lander4545]

It was never my intention to suggest that the Invaders mission was to follow the P-51 into battle. It was for a comparitive illustration only. And again as I posted eariler that it could keep up with a Mustang that was NOT at full throttle. Some people hear but don't listen! In this case you read and didn't interpret correctly. Boy,I can sure see how people start rumors!

[railroader100]

Oh not another pointless argument. You AT FIRST stated that it could "keep up with the North American P-51 Mustang in speed! " Then LATER you changed it to "NOT" at full throttle [a self contradiction of which I was already well aware]. But it is a meaningless statement, as almost every WW2 warbird can keep up with a P51 NOT at full throttle. And I know that you didnt suggest that the A26 followed the P51 into battle- obviously it couldnt- the A26 is a bomber and the P51 is a fighter.

[railroader100]

The A26 woulkd be hopeless in a dogfight with a fighter, not only is its tuning circle too wide and at least 100mph too slow, but its agility [high moment of inertia from its big wings and twin engines] would be sadly lacking. Its a bit of a difference from your original statement that it was one of the most feared in WW2.

[lander4545]

AGAIN for illustration perpuses ONLY did I compare it's performance to fighter only to accentuate it against other light bombers! No way would you use the A-26 in air to air combat with a fighter! That was the P-51 Mustangs job! Wouldn't you say that a plane with up to eight 50 caliber strafing you would be ONE of the most feared planes of WW11? If not than what would be? YOU ARE LISTENING BUT NOOOT HEARING!!

[railroader100]

Your comparisons were wrong from the start. The 6 - 8 50 caliber were for strafing the ground and for use against other bombers. If you were on the ground then you might fear it- but if you were on the ground then I would fear the Enola Gay, more so.

[lander4545]

WOW, are you messed up! Bombers 6-8 50 calibers were "for use against other bombers"! That's what fighters are for! I'm sure it could happen but that was not part of any strategic mission that I've read!

[railroader100]

Idiot! One of the designed roles for the A26 was a 'night fighter', same as the ME110 and Bristol Beaufighter. That means it intercepts bigger bombers and tries to shoot them down. This is not a mutuallly exclusive action, just because one does it doesnt mean the the other cant do it.

[lander4545]

Wrong again sport! The Invader was built and designed as a fast attack bomber!

[railroader100]

"Could out turn a 109" is OPINION not FACT

[lander4545]

How would you know if your not doing any research? You said so yourself! Not only that, in all of your lazy haste you have been researching a Marauder for crying out loud! What I have stated has been researched from the internet . Spend some time on it then get back! Otherwise take a hike!

[railroader100]

I only quoted the 'wing loading' from the Marauder but I said that if you could be bothered the read. Everything else is about the A26, some research some common sense and some intelligence. You should try it sometime instead of spouting off cos you are a plane spotter. Goodnight

[railroader100]

Not everything you read on the internet is true. Take your posts for instance. If you really want to write crap without any arguments then I suggest your own UTube.

[lander4545]

Another poor sport Brit. because good 'ole U.S.A. pulled there butts out of WW11 and it still hurts!

[railroader100]

It was Russia that defeated the Nazis. There were 5 million German troops lost at Stalingrad. But there couldnt have been a D Day without the UK and there couldnt have been the Merlin engine, without which the P51 [German designed] would have been useless.

[lander4545]

How did I know you were going to bring up the Merlin engine???? You mean the one built at the AMERICAN Packard plant?? P-51 German design?? Are you a ward of the state?? What are you smoking?? Your not even a fair debater!!

[railroader100]

The Packard was a direct copy of the Rolls Royce. And a German designer working for North American designed the P51, called Meule or something similar. Do some research and find out buddy!

[lander4545]

Edgaer Schmued was a German-American aircraft designer and builder working for North American aviation. I'm part German! We are a nation immigrants,so whats your point?

[railroader100]

Its you who brought up nationality- I was only talking about planes. Edgar Schmued was a pure German aircraft designer, who emigrated in the 1930's so its not so clear cut as Americans v Germans [save our ass].

And yes I know that the Packard Merlin was built under licence [how did I know you were going to bring that up],

We succesfully deterred the German Invasion all on our own [BOB], it was only later in the war that the USA and, more importantly the USSR came to the rescue.

[lander4545]

Quote from railroader100: "A German designer Meule or something similar." Now who brought up nationality? I understanding national pride can blurr historical facts but what saved England in WW11 was American and British blood and the fact that American factories could run 24/7 building war armaments!

[lander4545]

Packard was under license from the British government to build the Merlin because the British factories where all bombed out. Thank God for those stupid American huh!

[railroader100]

"Besides bombing and strafing, tactical reconnaissance and night interdiction missions were undertaken successfully"

Wikipedia

Facts not opinions.

[lander4545]

Hooray! You got one correct! But don't rely on WIKIPEDIA for your only source because anybody can sign in and change history on there! It won't be long and some Brit will put in there that the Pratt & Whitney engines were of British engineering design!

[dbowie2007]

well said my friend. Brits usually change history to their interest, nothing new, they are pretty low and coward like. They did that with France, Spain and many other countries, but no one cares what they say. We all are well aware of British hypocrisy. The Hell with them!

[lander4545]

I think it is that British Empire conquest thing that they had going on! Can face the fact that it's over!

[lander4545]

How about the numerous WW11 era publications I have. Would those do?

[railroader100]

You keep reading your publications, and stop bothering me. thanks

[Chopin742]

@railroader100-Why are you telling an American to get his own youtube...or do you think you invented that also?

[lander4545]

"Doesn't look like it could turn" is your opinion and not a fact! Talk about getting your facts right how about you start doing some research for Christs sake!

[railroader100]

OK Lander show me your research about the turning circle. It says here that the wing loading for the Marauder [closely related] was at 53 lb/sq ft (2.2 kg/m²) for the initial versions, was the highest of any aircraft accepted for service by the Army Air Force at the time. That bomber would never out turn a 109 in a Million years. in fact a whole flight of Marauders was decimated by FW190's on a single mission.

[lander4545]

How did a Marauder get into the equation?!

[railroader100]

The Marauder got into the equation because its a very similar design and I had figures easily found. I cant be arsed looking all over the net to argue with a plane spotter

[lander4545]

Then stay the hell out of the conversation if your not willing to do your homework! Again,facts count not your opinion!

[railroader100]

"COULD KEEP UP WITH A P51" and "one of the most feared planes of WW11" Sounds remarkably like opnion to me, when the FACTS say otherwise.

[ml191172]

Don't want to get into any argument about speed, but this aircraft could not outturn a 109. Maybe if flown by a shaky greenhorn, but when flown proper, not. Automatic slats, my friend.

[lander4545]

I don't make this stuff up! Research says that when you "feather" a prop (Full power on one engine and half throttle on the other) as you could on the Invader and also the P-38 Lightening you have a better turning radius! Now what research did you do if any? Opinions don't matter, researched facts do!

[TwitchSwagga]

You are very right. At altitude an A26 can actually pull away from a P51 and they can also out turn the Me109.

Railroad you dont have all your facts right. They arent 1900hp they are 2000 and above. There is a bigger engine that some are fitted with that I believe have 2500hp and big paddle props.

[luridplanet]

@TwitchSwagga That's the R-4360 - up to 3,000hp each, and maybe even higher hp

[justforever96]

@TwitchSwagga It might not have been ideal, but yes, the A-26 could hold it's own pretty well against a fighter...provided it had dropped it's bombs and wasn't at full fuel-load. But any plane performs best when "almost on 'E'"....that's one reason why modern fighters have fuel-jettison pipes...to get to "fighting trim" quickly. As for the R-2800, there are some versions that make less than 2,000hp. I don't think the A-26 ever used them, but they did exist. Less power = reliability, longer life.

[zumbc]

its SHINY XD

[CMDRFandragon]

this thing a later version A20?...from Google pics that what it looks like or an earlier version idk

[harrison359]

Wow, number 1 seems a bit cranky huh ?

[FantasticPyroclastic]

we want more! please!

[brg73]

I wonder if the #2 generator spun #1 starter, making it look like it was better to start. how do those start anyway...

[1moredayof]

At least the left engine starts easily.

[TwitchSwagga]

My dad just went down to Van Nuys and flew in this and he couldnt even describe in words how amazing it was.

[veltro75]

Absolutely beautiful Invader!

[rstinchcomb]

Sounds great. Excellent job in editing & steady camera too.

[Chuckjagermeister]

No1 started up smoothly.

[wohnsie]

great sound , bautiful bird

[jj16802]

Are the Machine Guns removed?

[jackjohnbob]

schweeeet!!

[trav1971]

nice!

[Phenixe27]

This Aircraft was known as the A-26, not B-26. The true B-26 Maruader was built by Martin and debut in late 1942. It saw action flying in the China-Burma Area and then later on over Germany on daylight bombing raids. The Marauder was a great bomber. It had the best operational loss ratio of any american acraft in WW2. The only reason it gets a bad rap is because alot of pilots were killed when training on the B-26cause of the huge step up in power and you needed to be alert to handle her.

[Redmanfms]

"This Aircraft was known as the A-26, not B-26."

The A-26 was redesignated B-26 in 1948, therefore either designation is correct.

"The only reason it gets a bad rap...."

The Marauder got a bad rap for many reasons. It had extremely high wing loading which led to it having an unusually high stall speed (which was fixed by increasing the wingspan), the Curtiss propeller assemblies would sometimes "run away" and disintegrate in mid-air, and it had a problem with landing gear collapses.

[Dave839]

Redmanfs is correct on these points. Additionally, the high stall speed means a high approach speed as well making for sweaty, white knuckle landings. I wonder where I can get a type ating in one?

[salemcripple]

Man that's a beautiful sound! One of the greatest sounds a "gearhead" like me could hear.

[1961sd]

The early model B-26's where known as "Widow Makers" because of their "Little Means Of Support" ie. very little wing area. Very hard to fly, later model's much better with increased wing area, vet's I talked with loved the '26 because of it's speed.

[Auggie56]

Your talking of the Martin B 26 Marauder. This is the Douglas B26 Invader. Confusing ain't it ? When they were sent to South East Asia, there was a prohibition on bomber aircraft. So it was designated A 26.

[djdecember]

a ''widow maker'' was the b-26 moron

[linksys01112]

no u dumb mother fucker the widow maker the black widdow

[TheLastPaladin]

The Black Widow was the P-61, a nightfighter, and was by virtually all accounts a pleasure to fly. The B-26 Marauder was not, and the high accident rate lead it to earn the nickname "widow maker." Get your shit straight.

[WaltE65]

TheLastPaladin is correct. Also the Invader was an A-26 not a B-26, however during the Vietnam War it was changed to B-26K I believe. But by then the B-26 Maruder had been out of service for a long time. The Invader was retired from the USAF in 1972 or 74. Used in SpecOps missions and Straffing / Bombing missions along the supply trail from Hanoi to South Viet., usually at night.

Also had the great distintion of the being shot down the least in WW2 for the number in theather on the Allies side.

[Phenixe27]

The B-26 Marauder was the least shot down aircraft for its number in operation during the war. It was also the same aircraft that killed many pilots during training. Once the pilots learned how to handle the B-26the guys in the Pacific said their only complaint was that they didnt have enough of them. The "Widow Maker" was a pilot killer, but it soon became one of the best performing and safest planes to fly into combat. It angers me when historians trash the 26 just cause of its training record

[utubeworms]

That thing must have some serious power being as small as it is and twin engined.

[marick626]

It is, but that is also why its considered a "widow maker". So much power and if you have problems, you can easily loose your life if you don't know what you are doing.

[Inkster83]

The A-26, Douglas "Invader" (designated B-26, 1948-1961)(in service 1944-early '70's) was NOT the "Widow Maker". The "Widow Maker" was a nickname for the B-26, Martin "Marauder" (in service 1941-mid 40's)

[HorrorVG]

Fuck this shit is confusing. Seriously, though sorry for that. Honest mistake, they just look so alike.

[silverbird58]

p59 er p61 ? night fighter??

[NOSMOJEFF]

Dad flew A-26 near end of WWII he liked them better than the B-25 which he also piloted in China in WWII

[Easyjet8810]

Haha, nothing like the rattle-rattle-click-click-bang of a good old round engine!

[Polybun]

hehe, the sound of a round engine starting

[2Fast4U0921]

It's called a radial engine.

[FiveCentsPlease]

And affectionately referred to as a round engine.

[102trafalgar]

Music, thanks!

[unrealstreet]

ı love this game....

[lonerxo]

this is one very cool plane. its a civilian conversion of the A-26. ive seen it down at Van Nuys quite a few times. the pilot is a real hot-dogger lol, but hes good

[tembo01]

Man does she lokk funny out of military garb!

[agcatdriver]

Only thing better than one R2800 is TWO R2800's!! Nice clip!

[a26invader]

Nice!!!