EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 Reprise: CAF Douglas A-26B Invader "Lady Liberty"

 

By Fred Harl

One of the more rare and interesting warbirds on the airshow circuit is the Douglas A-26B Invader, "Lady Liberty," flown by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) out of Enid, Oklahoma.  It is currently the only stock A-26 with operating Bombay doors, and one of 32 registered in the U.S. 

According the CAF, it was the 130th A-26 produced and delivered in 1944 - even though it still carries the 41-39230 serial number from the original purchase lot.  This A-26B was originally assigned to the 9th Air Force in England as a night interdiction aircraft.  After the war, it served in a Reserve capacity in Georgia before being employed by Texas Instruments for radio research and as a fire bomber in Rantoul, KS.  It was acquired by the CAF in 1982 and has received extensive restoration to the stock A-26B standard (however it was once fitted with A-26C glass nose and dual controls).  More information on the development of the Douglas A-26 and "Lady Liberty" can be found on the A-26 Lady Liberty website.  Invaders, reclassified as B-26, were used extensively in the Korean War and later in Indochina, flown by CIA and used in various covert operations.

The Aero Experience caught up "Lady Liberty" on two occasions last year - once on display at Wings Over Whiteman AFB in May and at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 in July: