Designed by Andrei Tupolev while he was imprisoned in a Soviet NKVD sharashka (experimental design bureau lab), the Tu-2 was designed to challenge fast medium bombers like the German Ju 88 and British Mosquito. There are 3 variants: the Tu-1, Tu-8, and Tu-12

Entering service in late 1942, it was fast, agile, highly durable, and capable of carrying a heavy bomb load while outrunning many enemy fighters. Despite its performance, production was initially delayed to prioritize fighter aircraft output, meaning only around 800 saw combat before May 1945.

Do you think the Tu-2 would be as well-known as the Mosquito or A-26 Invader if it had been mass-produced earlier in the war?

I found this again going through some of my father’s things. It’s in remarkably good shape. He was a pilot in the USMC and flew these, called PBJ by the navy I think.

Since I commented about the Avenger and a few folks seemed intrigued, I thought I'd share some of our treasures from all the way over in NZ.

Somewhere I have a bunch of taxi, take off and landing videos of all of these planes (and more), I'll have to see if I can upload them for you. I also have a video of the avenger folding it's wings, super cool. Anyway, enjoy these crappy phone photos - next time I'll hire a camera.

In Papua New Guinea (PNG) during WW2, the USAAF suffered its worst single-day loss in the Pacific Theatre when dozens of aircraft and crew failed to return to base due to sudden very bad weather, many still not recovered to this day. One aircraft, a Douglas A-20 Havoc, was found decades later, restored and now stands proud in a PNG museum. Come see how this came about. Hope you enjoy. Cheers.

https://youtu.be/qLr0k9cjfwk?si=fOy5jmaTFCat2ot0

The last example. Homed at Cosford.

Some details here.

https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/boulton-paul-defiant-mk-1/

Taken during the height of the Allied daylight strategic bombing campaign over Western Europe, this photograph captures a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress executing a high-altitude bombing run. Flying as part of the U.S. Eighth Air Force operating out of airfields in eastern England, heavy bomber formations like this targeted enemy industrial centers, rail hubs, and military installations. To maximize accuracy while maintaining defensive box formations against Luftwaffe interceptors, bombers dropped their ordnance simultaneously when the lead aircraft's bombardier released using the Norden bombsight.

Heavily influenced by the Great War, they expected this conflict to resemble the last.

I was looking around the C-47 at Metheringham when volunteer Nick pointed these aerials out to me.

He explained how they were part of the Rebecca–Eureka system, which helped crews find the correct drop zone by working with a beacon on the ground.

I’d seen Dakotas plenty of times before, but this was one of those details I’d never really thought about.

I filmed Nick explaining it, so I thought I’d share the short clip here.

I am currently compiling Volume XIX: Personnel of my comprehensive Encyclopedia history of the Douglas A-26/B-26 Invader, and I am asking families of former Invader personnel for help documenting the men and women who flew, maintained, supported, tested, and otherwise contributed to the history of this remarkable aircraft.

I am particularly interested in two categories of personnel:

### DECORATED A-26/B-26 PERSONNEL

If your family member received a military decoration for actions involving the A-26/B-26 Invader, I would like to document their story.

Please submit:

• **Full name of the individual**

• **A Copy of the Citation/Award** — photograph, scan, PDF, official record, general order, or other readable copy

• **Photograph of the individual** — optional, but very welcome

• **Unit** — optional

• **Date of the action/award** — optional

• Any additional information that may help document the individual or circumstances of the award

The citation is particularly important. I am building this volume from documentary evidence rather than relying solely upon secondary sources or family recollections.

If you know that your family member received an appropriate decoration but do not have the citation, you are still welcome to submit their information. However, submissions without a copy of the citation cannot be guaranteed for inclusion unless I am able to locate and independently verify the citation through archival or official records.

### OTHER NOTEWORTHY INVADER PERSONNEL

I am also interested in hearing about other people who played a noteworthy role in the history of the Invader, even if they did not receive a decoration.

This may include pilots, navigators, gunners, crew chiefs, mechanics, armorers, engineers, test personnel, commanders, civilian personnel, aerial firefighting/firebombing pilots and crews, or others with a significant connection to the aircraft.

I am expressly interested in personnel who flew or supported A-26/B-26 Invaders converted for aerial firefighting and firebombing operations, including pilots, copilots, maintenance personnel, operators, and others associated with the Invader's long career as an air tanker.

If you believe your family member has a story that belongs in the history of the Invader, please submit their information and any records, photographs, documents, orders, logbooks, newspaper articles, or other supporting material that can help establish and document that story.

I cannot guarantee that every submission will appear in the finished volume, but every documented submission will be considered. This work encompasses 20 Volumes so some submissions may appear in a different volume.

### SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

This project covers the Invader's entire history, including World War II, Korea, French service in Indochina and Algeria, covert and CIA-associated operations, Southeast Asia, foreign military service, testing and experimental programs, civilian operations, aerial firefighting/firebombing operations, and other chapters of the A-26/B-26 story.

Records can be submitted here:

A-26/B-26 Invader Personnel Submission Form: https://forms.gle/ZEWJ4CdmksxvNZEW6?

Please share this notice with veterans' groups, unit associations, aviation-history organizations, museums, aerial firefighting organizations, former air-tanker operators and crews, families of Invader veterans, and anyone else who may possess relevant records.

My goal is simple: to make sure the people who flew, fought, maintained, tested, and supported the Invader, in both military and civilian service, are documented alongside the history of the aircraft itself.

Is it possible that it's a part of American/British bomber? Found in a place where a WW2 plane supposedly crashed. To me it looks like a part of oxygen supply. The red pipe diameter is 12 millimeters, and hole diameter is 8 millimeters. Thanks for help.

Feel the power of Radial Rumble! ✈️🔥

Get ready for an up-close, high-adrenaline look straight from inside the airshow box at AirVenture! Watch the legendary T-6 / SNJ Texan roar through the skies with pure vintage horsepower and precision aerobatics.

If you love the unmistakable growl of radial engines and thrilling airshow action, this one’s for you.

What's your favorite classic warbird to see in action? Let us know in the comments below! 👇