The Douglas B-26K Counter Invader is a highly modified version of the Douglas A-26 Invader, a World War II attack bomber. Re-designated B-26 in 1948, the Invader served again during the Korean War (1950-1953), mainly as a night intruder against North Korean supply lines. It was removed from service in 1958, but in 1961 the USAF recalled many Invaders for use as tactical bombers in Southeast Asia. Combat duty and two decades of wear took their toll, and in 1964 the B-26s again were removed from service. In 1966 the old bomber was resurrected once more when the improved B-26K Counter Invader returned to Southeast Asia for ground-attack missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. With the success of the YB-26K test program, the USAF ordered 40 B-26s converted to B-26K standards. The B-26K differed from the B-26B in a few areas. First, the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 engines of the B-26B were changed to the R-2800-52W, giving it 500 more horsepower per engine. The six .50-cal. machine guns mounted in the wings were removed also. The B-26K still retained considerable firepower with eight .50-cal. machine guns in the nose, 4,000 pounds of bombs carried in the bomb bay and up to 8,000 pounds of mixed ordnance carried externally on eight wing pylons. This was a big improvement over the 2,000 pound wing ordnance capacity of a WWII A-26B. The dorsal and ventral turrets were removed. An anti-skid brake system installed and the original Hamilton Standard propellers were replaced with larger “paddle blade” reversing propellers to allow it to land on shorter runways. Wing tip fuel tanks were added also. A $12.6 million dollar contract was signed with On Mark Engineering Co. and the 40 aircraft were converted in 1963 and 1964. Because the aircraft were totally rebuilt back to zero time airframes, the aircraft were assigned 1964 serial numbers, although all were originally built in the early 1940s. The B-26K conversions were completed in 1965 when the last of 40 B-26s (the one before you) rolled out of the On Mark Engineering hangars in California. The B-26K was designed for counter insurgency missions in Southeast Asia. The USAF needed an aircraft to seek and destroy supplies moving towards and into South Vietnam from the north. Because of the urgent need for counter insurgency and interdiction aircraft, the USAF began using A-1E Skyraiders for these missions and the B-26Ks were not used in combat until 1966. Between 1964 and 1966, the B-26Ks were assigned to Special Operations Squadrons (SOS), Air Commando Squadrons (ACS) and composite fighter squadrons. The K models were basically combat trainers during this period. In 1966 the USAF decided to base a squadron of B-26Ks in Thailand for use in the panhandle area of Laos in support of operation Steel Tiger. Since the Thai government restricted USAF bombers from using its bases, the designation of the aircraft was changed to A-26A, even though no changes were made to the aircraft or its mission. Five B-26K’s were also sent to the Congo during the Revolution in 1964 and used by the CIA. All B-26K’s were delivered by On Mark with conversion kits so that the gun nose could be replaced by a glass nose and reconnaissance cameras could be mounted in the nose and bomb bay. They were used to map many areas of Central and South America before being sent to Thailand. Project Big Eagle was a Detachment of the 603rd Air Commando Squadron. After the concept was proven with 6 airplanes, the 609th Special Operations Squadron became the major unit to run combat operations with up to 15 airplanes at a time at Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Thailand, until late 1969. The aircraft were withdrawn from service although they were very effective in their mission. It was attributed to the efforts of certain Air Force General Officers who wanted an all jet Air Force regardless of whether a propeller driven aircraft was better suited to the job. An excuse was given that the aircraft were getting too old for combat, but the reality was that they had been completely refurbished no more than three years previously. If operations had continued, ’679 was next in line to be shipped over. It was fortuitous that this National Treasure took a new road to its destiny. It now represents the heroic actions of the men who flew and maintained the A-26A in secret missions over Laos during the Vietnam War.