Texas-based A-26C Invader “Million Airess” has made its airshow debut – in Poland, of all places – performing at Antidotum Airshow Leszno.
The newly-restored A-26, owned by American FBO operator Million Air, was on a European tour in tribute to the 80th anniversary of D-Day – although A-26s themselves were not involved in the Battle of Normandy. The aircraft had spent considerable time in the UK, France, Poland and Austria, and was due to appear at several airshows before heading back to the USA.
Initially, the A-26 was announced as a static display participant at the Sywell Airshow in the UK, held on the same week as Antidotum Airshow. The aircraft would not be able to fly at a British airshow as its crew lacked a Display Authorisation. However, some weeks later, Million Air posted that the A-26 would appear at either Sywell or in Leszno – or perhaps spend one day at each.
In the end, Million Airess spent two days at Antidotum Airshow, where it performed in the flying display. It was flown by Million Air CEO Roger Woolsey in a short sequence that included a topside pass, belly-up pass, a dirty pass and a fast pass. The aircraft then departed to Duxford, and will shortly return to the USA.
Although there are several A-26s flying in Europe, this was the first time in quite a few years that one has performed a full flying display.