Ohio Douglas A26 back in the air

OH Flier

OH Flier

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Today we flew down to Lancaster OH - Fairfield A/P (KLHQ) for a fly in sponsored by the Fairfield Historical Aircraft Museum. http://www.historicalaircraftsquadron.com/

These are the guys just south east of Columbus who have been restoring a Douglas A26 B Invader for the past 10-12 years. Well, today the Invader made her first public demonstration flight after being signed off airworthy yesterday.

The aircraft took off, retracted the gear and flew straight out on a
270 heading. Interesting how the nose wheel rotates 90 degree
sideways then retracts flat into the fuselage.

The aircraft returned a few minutes later and made a low pass across
the field then circled around and landed. Great experience to be part
of the history of this great aircraft.

Unfortunately we did not know the A26 was to fly and I did not have my digital camera . I asked a fellow photographer to send me some of his pics. I'll forward them upon receipt.

Great little museum and FBO day trip.

Gary Gembala
 

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OH Flier said:
Today we flew down to Lancaster OH - Fairfield A/P (KLHQ) for a fly in sponsored by the Fairfield Historical Aircraft Museum. http://www.historicalaircraftsquadron.com/

These are the guys just south east of Columbus who have been restoring a Douglas A26 B Invader for the past 10-12 years. Well, today the Invader made her first public demonstration flight after being signed off airworthy yesterday.

The aircraft took off, retracted the gear and flew straight out on a
270 heading. Interesting how the nose wheel rotates 90 degree
sideways then retracts flat into the fuselage.

The aircraft returned a few minutes later and made a low pass across
the field then circled around and landed. Great experience to be part
of the history of this great aircraft.

Unfortunately we did not know the A26 was to fly and I did not have my digital camera . I asked a fellow photographer to send me some of his pics. I'll forward them upon receipt.

Great little museum and FBO day trip.

Gary Gembala
Click to expand...

Neat story. There used to be one at my home field in the mid to late '60's that was converted as an aerial applicator. Nothing quite like the sound of two big radial engines on a low pass strafing mosquitos!


Trapper John
 
Maytag had a corporate 26, but I'm pretty sure it was a B, with the On-Mark Marksman belly door conversion. I got a ride (and a few minutes in the seat) during a MX run. I had no clue other than to do what I was told, but was mightily impressed with the needle movement when I pushed the nose over. Lots of winding up and unwinding.

OH Flier said:
Today we flew down to Lancaster OH - Fairfield A/P (KLHQ) for a fly in sponsored by the Fairfield Historical Aircraft Museum. http://www.historicalaircraftsquadron.com/

These are the guys just south east of Columbus who have been restoring a Douglas A26 B Invader for the past 10-12 years. Well, today the Invader made her first public demonstration flight after being signed off airworthy yesterday.

The aircraft took off, retracted the gear and flew straight out on a
270 heading. Interesting how the nose wheel rotates 90 degree
sideways then retracts flat into the fuselage.

The aircraft returned a few minutes later and made a low pass across
the field then circled around and landed. Great experience to be part
of the history of this great aircraft.

Unfortunately we did not know the A26 was to fly and I did not have my digital camera . I asked a fellow photographer to send me some of his pics. I'll forward them upon receipt.

Great little museum and FBO day trip.

Gary Gembala
Click to expand...
 
cool! there is a guy in our CAF wing who has about 1400 hrs in A26's from the 50's. I think the ones he was flying were for a corporation.
 
I can't figure out how to load pictures to this thread - so there are 3 in an album on my profile page you're welcome to look at. I'll try to load a short video later today.
Thanks for supporting the Historical Aircraft Squadron in Lancaster. They are a great group of people. They worked for 11 years restoring the A26. It flew once Friday and three times Saturday. It was a great thing to see!
 
Here are the pics
 

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tonycondon said:
cool! there is a guy in our CAF wing who has about 1400 hrs in A26's from the 50's. I think the ones he was flying were for a corporation.
Click to expand...

The first airplane my dad flew was an A-26 - really!

He was a crew chief in the army air corps and one of the flight officers let him take the controls...

I assume that was against all regulations.
 
I put some short videos of the A26 in the photo gallery under 'aircraft' for right now until I ask an administrator to re-locate them to a more appropriate place.
Thanks for your interest in the A26.
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
The first airplane my dad flew was an A-26 - really!

He was a crew chief in the army air corps and one of the flight officers let him take the controls...

I assume that was against all regulations.
Click to expand...

Probably no more than it was for the flight crew to give the controls of an R4D to an 18 year old Pharmacists Mate 3rd Class back in 1945. :D Dad's one time at the controls of an airplane. The story was quite entertaining.
 
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