The Douglas A-26 Invader designated B-26 between 1948 and 1965 is an American twin-engined light bomber and ground attack aircraft Built by Douglas Aircraft Company during World War II, the Invader also saw service during several major Cold War conflicts A limited number of highly modified United States Air Force aircraft served in Southeast Asia until 1969 It was a fast aircraft capable of carrying a large bomb load A range of guns could be fitted to produce a formidable ground-attack aircraft[4]A re-designation of the type from A-26 to B-26 led to confusion with the Martin B-26 Marauder, which first flew in November 1940, some 20 months before the Douglas designs maiden flight Although both types were powered by the widely used Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp eighteen-cylinder, double-row radial engine, they were completely different and separate designs - the Martin bomber originated in 1939, with more than twice as many Marauders nearly 5,300 produced in comparison to the Douglas design.