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The Douglas JD-1 (USN A-26 Invader) variant.

Navy Chief

Navy Chief

Senior Member
The Douglas JD-1 (USN A-26 Invader) variant?

Is it possible to modify the available model, so a JD-1 Invader paint could be created? My friend, retired Master Chief Frank Turchi, runs the maintenance technical publications library for the Naval Aviation Museum. He has been the source for a LOT of publications that I have uploaded to SOH; the most recent being the A-7 checklist series. Frank, in his early USN career (over 30 years) was stationed at China Lake. He was aircrew on JD-s there. He recently had a computer system put together, and hasn't had time to even turn it on, as he is so busy. But! He is planning to download P3D, and wants me to help him set it up, including adding the Invader. However, the current version does not have the JD-1 with the clear nose (just the front clear nose).

This is how the aircraft looked when Frank was at China Lake. Only thing different, he tells me, is the tail had China Lake lettering. NC

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NC, to do a JD-1 with clear nose should be workable. The same with KDA Firebee drone or other convertions. I have to do some investigations about Milton and team´s models now, that needs some time. And I have questions: Are there other people working on a JD-1? Are repaints available?

Thomas
 
Hey TiAr,

There is someone who is working on one, and he suggested that I see if a model could be created so the repaint would be accurate. NC
 
Navy Chief said:
Hey TiAr,

There is someone who is working on one, and he suggested that I see if a model could be created so the repaint would be accurate. NC
Click to expand...

He can paint the nose glass so the glass is correct-ish. What other differences are there? The model.a26cng has no turrets with glass.
 
Thanks for all the information, TiAr!

Frank told me that when the Invader at the museum first arrived here at Pensacola, the front nose was damaged. It was restored, but without the clear nose. NC
 
No, painting over the top of the glass nose can't be done. I've lashed up a model by cutting the nose off the A-26B model and making it transparent. This approximates to the principle JD-1target tug model; some early ones had the standard glazed nose with the top section skinned over and at least a few had standard solid noses. Needs a pylon under each wing to complete. Working on a skin for it atm.

DaveQ
 
DaveQ said:
No, painting over the top of the glass nose can't be done. I've lashed up a model by cutting the nose off the A-26B model and making it transparent. This approximates to the principle JD-1target tug model; some early ones had the standard glazed nose with the top section skinned over and at least a few had standard solid noses. Needs a pylon under each wing to complete. Working on a skin for it atm.

DaveQ
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave! Frank Turchi will appreciate it as well. I've tried to get him to join SOH, but he's not into forums, period. I get it, but he has so much he could share. His main hobby is RC aircraft. NC
 
Very nice project indeed. Question: Do the bomb doors opens in P3D4.5? I have read the manual/info - but I have no success with all the models in dl here on SOH for FSX/P3D.

Thomas
 
The bomb doors open with the spoiler key in FSX. They should be tied to a switch - I'll check out why that doesn't work and fix it soon as I can. JD-1 should be ready by the weekend. Paint's done but been trying different ways of doing the glass nose.

DaveQ
 
Done. Lots of tweaking today. I'll post as soon as I can get time. This is still an FSX model; I may convert it to P3Dv4.4 with PBR to get the right shine

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DaveQ
 

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Thanks stansdds!

Uploaded today, along with a repaint of 89075 from VU-3 at China Lake. Some 150 JD-1's were supplied to the U.S. Navy and in use up until the early 1960's. The majority were from cancelled RAF orders, others from surplus stock. They were used by 7 utility squadrons for a number of secondary roles, including Ryan Firebee drone control and for target towing. Most were modified with a new observation station in a glazed nose.

For my next trick I'm going to try converting this to P3Dv4.4 and doing the PBR thing on it. This will give a more realistic finish to the paint.:encouragement:

Also uploaded a modification to the bomb door switch in the vc to enable the doors to be opened from the panel - this applies to all military models with functioning bomb doors.

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DaveQ

(See also FSX Invader thread.)
 
Great to see a JD-1. Very nice model and thank you very much.

I did the USAF equivalent, a DB-26C. 44-35666 assigned to the Air Missile Development Command at Holloman AFB. Day Orange was applied to all of the Drone Carriers in 1959. I will create a Ryan XQ-2C and a Q-2A drone for this model. I think I can do something similar to your JD-1.

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Thomas
 
Thank you so much, DaveQ and TiAr!! I am so anxious to get these models installed in P3D and on my friend,Frank Turchi's as well NC:encouragement:
 
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