Douglas TB-26B 41-39278 United States Air Force

These are 1/72 scale decals for Douglas TB-26B 41-39278, assigned to the 5th Tow Target Squadron, United States Air Force.

The TB-26B was a trainer and utility conversion of the Douglas B-26B Invader, with the “T” prefix denoting its reassignment from combat to training and support duties. In the tow target role, TB-26Bs flew steady, predictable patterns trailing aerial gunnery sleeves and targets for fighter pilots, anti-aircraft gunners, and missile crews to practice against — a mission that demanded precise airmanship and no small amount of nerve, as the aircraft had to maintain consistent altitude and heading while being used as an aiming reference.

The 5th Tow Target Squadron was one of the USAF's dedicated tow target units, providing this essential live-fire training support to fighter wings, air defense units, and ground-based anti-aircraft artillery and missile batteries during the early Cold War. The high-performance TB-26B was well-suited to the role, its speed and reliability making it capable of towing targets at realistic intercept velocities that gave trainees a genuine challenge.

A nicely specialized and seldom-modeled variant of the versatile Invader family. Please allow some time for decal printing and shipping.