Douglas A-26/B-26 Invader (1942-1946): The A-26 was a sleek attack plane that could carry double the payload of any other twin-engine tactical aircraft of World War II. It made its first flight on July 10, 1942, went into production in September 1943, and flew its first combat missions in June 1944. The last of 2,503 A-26s were delivered in 1946. Invaders were built at Douglas factories in Long Beach, Ca. and Tulsa, OK. Though in action only a year before the war ended, the plane so impressed postwar planners that it was chosen as the standard light bomber for the new U.S. Air Force, becoming the B-26 Invader from 1948 to 1966 before reverting back to A-26. The Invader served as a front-line aircraft during the Korean and Vietnam wars. The U.S. Navy and the air forces of 16 countries also flew Invaders. A-26s flew their last U.S. combat missions in 1969 over Southeast Asia, earning the distinction of being the first American tactical aircraft to fly in three wars.