A-26 InvaderDouglas A 26 Invader airplane model. The Douglas A 26, a follow up airplane to the A 20 Havoc, made its first flight on July 10, 1942. Production delivery began in August 1943, and on November 19, 1944, it went into combat over Europe. It was used for level bombing, ground strafing and rocket attacks. By the time production halted after VJ Day, 2,502 Invaders had been built. The A 26 was redesignated the B 26 in 1948. During the Korean War, the