For the past decade, a dedicated team of volunteers at a small airport in Provo, Utah, has been tirelessly restoring what is believed to be the last complete Douglas A-26 Invader to be manufactured. This particular aircraft, known as A-26B USAAF #44-34774, holds a unique distinction in aviation history. It was among the final batch of ten Invaders constructed, and upon taking flight once again, it will claim the title of the youngest airworthy Invader in existence, currently standing as the second youngest airframe.
Originating from Long Beach in October 1945, the aircraft was promptly consigned to storage in Kingman, Arizona, before finding its way into the possession of its first civilian owner, the Standard Oil Company, in September 1946. Remarkably, at the time of its acquisition by Standard Oil, the airframe boasted less than nine hours of flight time.
Like many of its counterparts, this A-26 Invader underwent conversion into a high-speed executive transport by the Grand Central Aircraft Company of Glendale, California, and On Mark Engineering in Van Nuys. Over the span of two decades under the ownership of Standard Oil, registered as N917Y, the aircraft traversed the continent numerous times. In 1966, Standard Oil relinquished ownership, leading to subsequent ownership by notable warbird personalities such as Jimmy Leeward and Junior Burchinal.
By 1993, the aircraft found itself outdoors and eventually disassembled for transport to The Air Station Air Museum in Arlington, Washington. Its journey continued as it exchanged hands, eventually making its way to Provo in 2011 under the ownership of David Fronk and Peter Garraty. Despite the challenges, including disassembly for transportation and reassembly, the restoration project persevered.
Bob Schroeder, a key member of the restoration team, reflected on the daunting nature of the project upon its arrival in Provo. He remarked, “Holy mackerel, what have we done?” Despite initial estimations of completing the project within a few years, the reality of the task at hand soon became apparent.
Over the years, the team diligently tackled each phase of the restoration, from corrosion cleanup to systems installation and overhauling and assembling the wings and fuselage. Critical components such as the R-2800 engines were expertly overhauled by Anderson Airmotive, awaiting their moment to power the aircraft once more.
Recent months have seen significant milestones, with the aircraft being wired and powered up. Schroeder expressed joy at witnessing the successful operation of the flaps, likening them to the “eighth wonder of the world.” However, achieving this feat was no small feat, requiring meticulous attention to detail and problem-solving.
Looking ahead, Bob and Dave remain steadfast in their commitment to the restoration project, emphasizing that while they refuse to rush the process, they aim to conduct taxi tests in time to commemorate the aircraft’s 80th year. As the restoration journey progresses, enthusiasts can look forward to further updates in Vintage Aviation News.
