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Show January 3, B-2- JnvagEerSvPiay Jmporf ant, 6.- By Col. Robert D. Johnston Chief of Aircraft Systems mounting a larger non. ; Management Division Materiel Management Direct orate In a modern air age when jets fly faster than the speed of sound, encircle the globe in brief hours when outer space vehicles are changing Buck Rogers fantasies into science reala comparatively medieval ity aircraft, an inveterate veteran, is again doing valiant service in the time of its second resurrection. This old warrior, modified and patched for its latest role as a eounterinsurgency weapon is the Douglas 6 Invader. The 6 began its career as an "attack bomber". the B-2- E-2- A-2- 6, The Douglas Aircraft Co. began design of the plane for the Army Air Forces in January 1941, intending to incorporate in it the best features of the 0 which then equipped the Army Air A-2- Force light bombardment , ' caliber-can-- ' "": ,; In Combat in 1944 The 6 was test-flow- n July 10, 1942 and went into produc1943. It first aption peared in combat in 1944. By May 1945 six 6 groups were committed to overseas theaters, and acceptances of the airplane reached almost 2,500 by Aug. A-2- ..in-Sept- . A-2- 1945. Early in WWII the usefulness of current attack aircraft, both Allied and enemy, tended to become limited as increasingly effective defense was brought about by improved fighters and ground weapons. As a counterbalance, the Air Forces needed a fast, light bomber with excep- tionally heavy firepower and capable of operating efficiently both at treetop level and at medium altitude. Specifically desired was a n or plane to perform a more types of attack missions. In order to survive in these varied missions against the deadly defense of which the enemy had proved himself capable, the plane would have to be tough, aBle to withstand heavy gunfire, and armored for its crew's protection. It had to fly "low and slow" and then faster than the top fighters of the day. It would have to be armed with heavy offensive and defensive gunfire and carry great bomb loads long distances. Finally, it had to be mass producible and half-doze- squadrons. Especial attention was given to developing greater range and heavier bomb load, in which 0 had characteristics the shown its deficiencies during the early operations in the Southwest Pacific. The resultc a ed a ing aptly "hopped-up- , brother" tough big of the proved to be the most versatile, and fastest, deadliest medium bomber developed during WWII. To meet the Air Force specifications set forth in 1940, Doug- quickly. Born of Needs las undertook to prototype three experimental models: (1) a The Invader was born of light bombardment attack plane, these needs and specifications. modifica- An (2) a midwing mono- tion, and (3) an aerial destroyer plane powered by two Pratt & A-2- 1 1 A-2- 6, A-2- 0, night-fight- all-met- al er R-28- 00 ; A-2- 6 two-to-four-m- an ch demolition 1,000-poun- d The A-2- 6 FACE LIFT Invaders were reworked in rehabilitation lines in the hangars at Hill AFB preparatory to seeing combat service again. B-2- bombs. was designed for 6 throughout quick repairs and engine changes to simplify maintenance and minimize "down time". For example, the engine cowling was in two halves and could be removed or installed in a few minutes, using only a sparkplug wrench. After July 1944 production of AT A Of 4 1 3 X -- "1 were the Pacific the to mainly assigned bombing and strafing attacks, few failed to return to base. Distinguished Record Though a -- latecomer, the In vader compiled a distinguished combat record in WWII and won hearty acceptance by the crews who flew it. After WWII, the Invader, now began redesignated the slipping into oblivion like an old hero laid to rest. It Avas pickled, preserved and put in storage. Then came the dark days of the summer of 1950 and the advance of the Communist North Korean army into South Korea. For months to come the war had to be fought with the leftover of WWII. Fortunately there were thousands of aircraft in pickled storage, among them many hun Dozens of others dreds of were found on almost every base, where they served for logging flying time or fast administrative flights. The time was ripe for the resurrection of the old Invader. Off the air bases and out of the boneyards they came, first in a trickle, then in a steady stream as crews could be retrained and ;the aircraft restored to combat A-2- B-2- 6, s. condition. Much praise is due the maintenance and production technicians on the aircraft lines at B-2- 6 The reconditioning was by no means routine. These that came off the Ogden Air Materiel Area production lines were recognizable as the sturdy, reliable, maneuverable old war-horsof WWII but "beefed up", revamped and modified to meet the needs of the "limited" war.; The ingenious inventiveness of the work force at Ogden AMA brought many types of Invaders off the lines reconnaissance photographic (both day B-2- 6s ( S" r i COMBAT HEADY A line of combat-read- y B-2- es JiT a. 6 Invaders re silhouetted against rugged terrain. The Invader performed valiantly in World War II and was again pressed into service during the Korean conflict. x::;:;:;:;:;:;::: low-lev- el Beefed-U- p 1 ground forces and its ability to wreak destruction on strategic enemy targets. 6s D-2- ll B-2- Ti. Hill AFB. During the Korean War years they reclaimed and reconditioned more than 1,000 averaging delivery of 18 to 20 aircraft a month to the combat lines. r 6 Invaders on an operational combat mission in Korea. Once again, as in World War II, this battle-scarre-d old veteran proves its capability for close support of BOMB DROP was truly proving itself in the war in Europe. In their first 17 missions over heavily defended targets in Nazi Germany, the Invader groups were "on tar-- , get" every time and only one plane was lost. And although in B-26- r3i weapon engines, the Invader had a combat weight of 35,000 pounds. and an airspeed of 360 miles per hour-m- ore than 60 miles faster. than other medium bombers. Its combat range reached 1,000 miles with a crew depending on whether the bombardier's nose and rear gun position were installed. It was formidably armed with eighteen .50 - caliber machine rock guns and fourteen ets. By use of the bomb-ba- y and wing racks it could carry ord nance loads up to three tons, varying from fragmentation to Whitney . 53 Counfes insurgency Fg1 1964 and night),, fighters, tow-targ- intruders, night planes and et OLD INVADERS NEVER DIE The "Counter-Invadera shows off rockets under its wings, newly configured machine guns in its nose, and diverse new features to add to its firepower and maneuverability. It should prove invaluable as a eounterinsurgency weapon. ", B-2- all 6, specially Ariz. Reparable control surfaces and other spares available equipped. One unusual modification was at Hill AFB, Utah, were made a 6 equipped with loudspeak- serviceable, airlifted to ers which, from one mile up, and installed on the anti-Re- d information aging airframes to fix for a oneblared time flight to the production over the enemy lines. the Although "Mig Alley" lines at Hill AFB. Approximateper month were duels between the USAF Sabre-jet- s ly two MIG-15- s equipped for active duty and and Soviet-buireceived the attention of the rolled off the lines to make hispress, it was aircraft like the! tory once again as they had Invader which applied direct during two previous conflicts. were completely dispressure to the enemy on the The ground, taking a tremendous mantled and reworked, an averbeing toll of enemy manpower and age of 11,500 of on overhaul the expended makand equipment ultimately each aircraft. ing an armistice possible. As they came off the line The years after the Korean conflict saw the appearance of completely reworked with extra and improved equipe the giant jet bomber armament ment installed, they were flown and the to Eglin AFB, Fla. There they jet fighter. In later years, in view of the inroads that Com-- ! took their place with the and other vehicles be d revolts, insur- the used for eounterinsurgency gencies, infiltration, and guer- ing rilla attacks were making, a training under direction of the careful restudy of our defense Special Air Warfare Center. The rehabilitation process posture confirmed a need for pulled special forces, equipment, tac- continued on other tics, and strategies in the realm from storage and direct deliverof eounterinsurgency (COIN). ies were made not only to Eglin but to the Canal Zone and Meet the Need where intensive Recognizing that it had an Southeast Asia, crews continAllied aircraft which could meet the training of of ued in all phases airborne opneed and cope with the unique accharacteristics of COIN war erations for counterguerrilla tivities. fare, the USAF early in 1961 Technicians assigned to the again decided to resurrect the old 6 Invader. Re System Support Manager for vamped and revitalized, this the 6 as well as maintenance new version of the 6 is prov- and supply personnel at Ogden ing to be the most versatile air- AMA have for the past two craft in the Air Force's y years also worked unstintingly to support special projects from inventory. emerged as aIn January 1961, Ogden AMA which the 6 the curlogistics support, maintenance prime COIN vehicle in and supply personnel began to rent world hot spots. rehabilitate the that were In April 1961 the 4400th Cown stored at AFB, (Continued on Page 7) light bombers, Davis-Montha- B-2- B-2- 6s lt B-2- 6s man-hou- rs long-iang- sound-barrier-breaki- ng T-2- C-- 47 munist-inspire- B-2- war-wea- ry B-2- B-2- B-2- counter-insurgenc- B-2- B-2- 6s Davia-Montha- 6s 8, n, |