A-26
Quiet now . . .
relegated to museums and parks
. . . finally at rest . . .
bathed in the deserved awe by children whose fathers she took to battle.
WWII. . . Korea . . . Southeast Asia.
Modified updated, and back to fight one
more time. . .
Can Do.
Age and logistics defeated her; the enemy never did.
Interdiction? . . . Close Air Support? . . . Armed Recce? . . .
Her crews
wrote the book. Who else could carry 9000 lbs plus, fly for over four hours, make over a dozen passes on target. . . and survive?With twin R-2800s pounding the air out of synch to confuse the gunners. . . bomb bay loaded, eight wing stations full and eight .50 cals in the nose, she went out night after night stalking the enemy alone.
Her last show was possibly her finest hour. . . On the Trail meeting Uncle Ho's trucks and guns nose-to-nose. . . and coming out ahead. . .
"What did you fly in SEA?"
"The A-26, I was a Nimrod!" . . .
'nuff said.
Major Jay Norton, HQ TAC/DRPS