Martin B-26 Marauder: American Medium Bomber

 A U.S. Army Air Forces Martin B-26B-55-MA Marauder (s/n 42-96142), 1944. The aircraft was assigned to the 596th Bombardment Squadron, 397th Bombardment Group, 98th Bombardment Wing, 9th Bomber Command, 9th Air Force in Europe. "X2-A" was named "Dee-Feater" and carries numerous mission markers, and D-Day invasion stripes. The 397th BG was stationed starting 15 April 1944 at Rivenhall, Essex (UK), and moved to Hurn, Hampshire, on 4 August 1944. On 30th August 1944 the Group was relocated to France.

The Martin B-26 Marauder was an American twin-engined medium bomber that saw extensive service during World War II. The B-26 was built at two locations: Baltimore, Maryland, and Omaha, Nebraska, by the Glenn L. Martin Company.

First used in the Pacific Theater of World War II in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in the European Theater from bases in England and, following D-Day, on the European continent providing tactical support to advancing Allied troops.

After entering service with the United States Army aviation units, the aircraft quickly received the reputation of a "widow maker" due to the early models' high accident rate during takeoffs and landings. This was because the Marauder had to be flown at precise airspeeds, particularly on final runway approach or when one engine was out. The unusually high 150 mph (241 km/h) speed on short final runway approach was intimidating to many pilots who were used to much slower approach speeds, and when they slowed to speeds below those stipulated in the manual, the aircraft would often stall and crash.

The B-26 became a safer aircraft once crews were retrained, and after aerodynamics modifications (an increase of wingspan and wing angle-of-incidence to give better takeoff performance, and a larger vertical stabilizer and rudder). The Marauder ended World War II with the lowest loss rate of any U.S. Army Air Forces bomber.

In total, 5,288 were produced between February 1941 and March 1945; 522 of these were flown by the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force. By the time the United States Air Force was created as an independent military service separate from the United States Army in 1947, all Martin B-26s had been retired from U.S. service. After the Marauder was retired, the unrelated ground attack aircraft Douglas A-26 Invader assumed the "B-26" designation, which led to confusion between the two aircraft.

General Information

Type: Medium bomber

National origin: United States

Manufacturer: Glenn L. Martin Company

Status: Retired

Primary users: United States Army Air Forces; Free French Air Force; Royal Air Force; South African Air Force

Number built: 5,288[1]

Manufactured: 1941–1945

Introduction date: 1941

First flight: 25 November 1940

Developed into: XB-33 Super Marauder (unbuilt)

Design and Development

In March 1939, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) issued Circular Proposal 39-640, a specification for a twin-engined medium bomber with a maximum speed of 350 mph (560 km/h), a range of 3,000 mi (4,800 km), and a bomb load of 2,000 lb (910 kg). On 5 July 1939, the Glenn L. Martin Company submitted its design, produced by a team led by Peyton M. Magruder, to meet the requirement, the Martin Model 179. Martin's design was evaluated as superior to the other proposals and was awarded a contract for 201 aircraft, to be designated B-26. The B-26 went from paper concept to an operational bomber in roughly two years. Additional orders for a further 930 B-26s followed in September 1940, still prior to the first flight of the type.

The B-26 was a shoulder-winged monoplane of all-metal construction, fitted with a tricycle landing gear. It had a streamlined, circular-section fuselage housing the crew, consisting of a bombardier in the nose, armed with a .30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun, a pilot and co-pilot sitting side by side, with positions for the radio operator and navigator behind the pilots. A gunner manned a dorsal turret armed with two .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns (the first powered dorsal turret to be fitted to a U.S. bomber), and an additional .30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun was fitted in the tail.[2]

Two bomb bays were fitted mid-fuselage, capable of carrying 5,800 lb (2,600 kg) of bombs, although in practice such a bomb load reduced range too much, and the aft bomb bay was usually fitted with additional fuel tanks instead of bombs. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines in nacelles slung under the wing, driving four-bladed propellers. The engines were manufactured at the Ford Dearborn Engine plant in Dearborn, Michigan. The wings were of low aspect ratio and relatively small in area for an aircraft of its weight, giving the required high performance, but also resulting in a wing loading of 53 lb/sq ft (260 kg/m2) for the initial versions, which at the time was the highest of any aircraft accepted for service by the USAAC, until the introduction of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, with the then-astonishing wing loading of 69.12 lb/sq ft (337.5 kg/m2) (although both would be considered lightly loaded by the standard of combat aircraft of the next decade).

The first B-26, with Martin test pilot William K. "Ken" Ebel at the controls, flew on 25 November 1940 and was effectively the prototype. Deliveries to the USAAC began in February 1941 with the second aircraft, 40-1362. In March 1941, the USAAC started accelerated service testing of the B-26 at Patterson Field, near Dayton, Ohio.

Accidents

The B-26's relatively small wing area and resulting high wing loading required a high landing speed of 120 to 135 mph (193 to 217 km/h) indicated airspeed depending on load. At least two of the earliest B-26s suffered hard landings and damage to the main landing gear, engine mounts, propellers, and fuselage. The type was grounded briefly in April 1941 to investigate the landing difficulties. Two causes were found: insufficient landing speed (producing a stall) and improper weight distribution. The latter was due to the lack of a dorsal turret; the Martin power turret was not yet ready.

Some of the very earliest B-26s suffered collapses of the nose landing gear, said to be caused by improper weight distribution, but that is not likely to have been the only reason. The incidents occurred during low-speed taxiing, takeoffs and landings, and occasionally the strut unlocked. Later, the Martin electric dorsal turret was retrofitted to some of the first B-26s. Martin also began testing a taller vertical stabilizer and revised tail gunner's position in 1941.

The Pratt & Whitney R-2800-5 engines were reliable, but the Curtiss electric pitch-change mechanism in the propellers required impeccable maintenance, not always attainable in the field. Human error and some failures of the mechanism occasionally placed the propeller blades in flat pitch, resulting in an overspeeding propeller, sometimes known as a "runaway prop". Due to its sound and the possibility that the propeller blades could disintegrate, this situation was particularly frightening for aircrews. More challenging was a loss of power in one engine during takeoff. These and other malfunctions, as well as human error, claimed a number of aircraft and the commanding officer of the 22nd Bombardment Group, Colonel Mark Lewis.

The Martin B-26 suffered only two fatal accidents during its first year of flight, from November 1940 to November 1941—a crash shortly after takeoff near Martin's Middle River plant in Maryland (cause unknown, but engine malfunction strongly suggested) and the loss of a 38th Bombardment Group B-26 when its vertical stabilizer and rudder separated from the aircraft at altitude (cause unknown, but the accident report discussed the possibility that a canopy hatch broke off and struck the vertical stabilizer).

As pilots were trained quickly for the war, relatively inexperienced pilots entered the cockpit and the accident rate increased. This occurred at the same time as more experienced B-26 pilots of the 22nd, 38th, and 42nd Bombardment Groups were proving the merits of the bomber.

For a time in 1942, pilots in training believed that the B-26 could not be flown on one engine. This was disproved by several experienced pilots, including Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, who flew demonstration flights at MacDill Army Air Field, which featured takeoffs and landings with only one engine. Also, 17 Women Airforce Service Pilots were trained to demonstrate the B-26, in an attempt to "shame" male pilots into the air.

In 1942, aviation pioneer and company founder Glenn L. Martin was called before the Senate Special Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program, (or also known as the "Truman Committee"), which was investigating defense contracting abuses. Senator Harry S Truman of Missouri, the committee chairman (and future Vice President and 33rd President of the United States in 1945–1953), asked Martin why the B-26 had problems. Martin responded that the wings were too short. Senator Truman curtly asked why the wings had not been changed. When Martin replied that the plans were too close to completion, and his company already had the contract, Truman's testy response was quick and to the point: In that case, the contract would be canceled. Martin corrected the wings. (By February 1943, the newest model aircraft, the B-26B-10, had an additional 6 feet (1.8 m) of wingspan, plus uprated engines, more armor, and larger guns.)

Indeed, the regularity of crashes by pilots training at MacDill Field—up to 15 in one 30-day period—led to the exaggerated catchphrase, "One a day in Tampa Bay". Apart from accidents occurring over land, 13 Marauders ditched in Tampa Bay in the 14 months between 5 August 1942 and 8 October 1943.

B-26 crews gave the aircraft the nickname "Widowmaker". Other colorful nicknames included "Martin Murderer", "Flying Coffin", "B-Dash-Crash", "Flying Prostitute" (so-named because it was so fast and had "no visible means of support", referring to its small wings) and "Baltimore Whore" (a reference to the city where Martin was based).

According to an article in the April 2009 edition of AOPA Pilot on Kermit Weeks' "Fantasy of Flight", the Marauder had a tendency to "hunt" in yaw. This instability is similar to "Dutch roll". This would make for a very uncomfortable ride, especially for the tail gunner.

The B-26 is stated by the 9th Air Force to have had the lowest combat loss rate of any US aircraft used during the war. Nevertheless, it remained a challenging aircraft to fly and continued to be disliked by some of its pilots throughout its military career. In 1944, in answer to many pilots complaining to the press and their relatives back home, the USAAF and Martin took the unusual step during war of commissioning large articles to be placed in various popular publications to educate the public and defend the flying/accident record of the B-26 against "slanders". One of the longest of these articles was in the May 1944 issue of Popular Mechanics.

Operational History

The B-26 Marauder was used mostly in Europe, but also saw action in the Mediterranean and the Pacific. In early combat, the aircraft took heavy losses, but was still one of the most successful medium-range bombers used by the USAAF. The B-26 was initially deployed on combat missions in the South West Pacific in early 1942, but most of the B-26s subsequently assigned to operational theaters were sent to England and the Mediterranean area.

By the end of World War II, it had flown more than 110,000 sorties, dropped 150,000 tons (136,078 tonnes) of bombs, and had been used in combat by British, Free French, and South African forces in addition to US units. In 1945, when B-26 production was halted, 5,266 had been built.

Pacific Theater

The B-26 began to equip the 22nd Bombardment Group at Langley Field, Virginia, in February 1941, replacing the Douglas B-18 Bolo, with a further two groups, the 38th and 28th, beginning to equip with the B-26 by December 1941. Immediately following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, the 22nd BG was deployed to the South West Pacific, first by ship to Hawaii, then its air echelon flew the planes to Australia. The 22nd BG flew its first combat mission, an attack on Rabaul, which required an intermediate stop at Port Moresby, New Guinea, on 5 April 1942.

A second group, the 38th, began receiving B-26s in November 1941 and began transitioning into them at Patterson Field, Ohio. There, the 38th continued the testing of the B-26, including its range and fuel efficiency. Immediately after the entry of the United States into World War II, plans were tentatively developed to send the 38th BG to the South West Pacific and to equip it with B-26Bs fitted with more auxiliary fuel tanks and provisions for carrying aerial torpedoes. Three 38th BG B-26Bs were detached to Midway Island in the buildup to the Battle of Midway, and two of them, along with two B-26s detached from the 22nd BG, carried out torpedo attacks against the Japanese Fleet on 4 June 1942. Two were shot down and the other two were so badly damaged that they were written off after the mission. Their torpedoes failed to hit any Japanese ships, although they did shoot down one Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter and killed two seamen aboard the aircraft carrier Akagi with machine-gun fire. The crew of one B-26, Susie Q, after dropping their torpedo, were pursued by fighters; seeking an escape route, they flew directly along the length of the Akagi, braving antiaircraft fire – to the point the pursuing Japanese fighters had to hold fire temporarily, to avoid hitting the flagship. Another B-26, seriously damaged by antiaircraft fire, did not pull out of its run, and instead flew directly at Akagi's bridge. Either attempting a suicide ramming, or out of control, the plane narrowly missed striking the carrier's bridge, and crashed into the ocean.

From around June 1942, B-26 squadrons of the 38th BG were based in New Caledonia and Fiji. From New Caledonia, missions were flown against Japanese bases in the Solomon Islands. On one occasion, a B-26 was credited with shooting down a Kawanishi H6K flying boat. In 1943, the B-26 was decided to be phased out of operations in the South West Pacific Theater in favor of the North American B-25 Mitchell. Nevertheless, the 19th Bombardment Squadron of the 22nd BG continued to fly missions in the B-26. The B-26 flew its last combat mission in the theater on 9 January 1944.

Two more squadrons of torpedo-armed B-26s equipped the 28th Composite Group and were used for anti-shipping operations in the Aleutian Islands Campaign, but no records of any successful torpedo attack by a USAAF B-26 have been found.

Comedian George Gobel famously joked about being an instructor for this aircraft at Frederick Army Airfield (now Frederick Regional Airport) during the Pacific battles, boasting, "not one Japanese aircraft got past Tulsa".

Mediterranean Theater

Three bombardment groups were allocated to support the Allied invasion of French North Africa in November 1942. They were initially used to carry out low-level attacks against heavily defended targets, incurring heavy losses with poor results, before switching to medium-level attacks. By the end of the North African Campaign, the three B-26 groups had flown 1,587 sorties, losing 80 aircraft. This was double the loss rate of the B-25, which also flew 70% more sorties with fewer aircraft. Despite this, the B-26 continued in service with the Twelfth Air Force, supporting the Allied advance through Sicily, Italy, and southern France. Air Marshal Sir John Slessor, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, wrote of "the astonishing accuracy of the experienced medium bomber groups—particularly the Marauders; I think that the 42nd Bombardment Group in Sardinia is probably the best day-bomber unit in the world." Slessor in fact meant the 42nd Bomb Wing—17th, 319th, and 320th Bomb Groups—but a US 'wing' equated roughly to a British 'group', and vice versa.

Northwest Europe

The B-26 entered service with the Eighth Air Force in England in early 1943, with the 322nd Bombardment Group flying its first missions in May 1943. Operations were similar to those flown in North Africa with B-26s flying at low level and were unsuccessful. The second mission, an unescorted attack on a power station at IJmuiden, the Netherlands, resulted in the loss of the entire attacking force of 11 B-26s to antiaircraft fire and Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters. Following this disaster, the UK-based B-26 force was switched to medium-altitude operations, and transferred to the Ninth Air Force, set up to support the planned invasion of France.

Bombing from medium altitudes of 10,000 to 15,000 feet (3,000 to 4,600 m) and with appropriate fighter escort, the Marauder proved far more successful, striking against a variety of targets, including bridges and V-1 launching sites in the buildup to D-Day, and moving to bases in France as they became available. The Marauder, operating from medium altitude, proved to be a highly accurate aircraft, with the 9th Air Force rating it the most accurate bomber available in the final month of the war in Europe. Loss rates were far lower than in the early, low-level days, with the B-26 stated by the 9th Air Force as having the lowest loss rate in the European Theater of Operations at less than 0.5%. On 9 August 1944, Captain Darrell R. Lindsey of the 394th Bombardment Group led a formation of B-26 bombers to destroy the L'Isle Adam bridge in German-occupied France. Despite his B-26 being heavily damaged by ground fire and engulfed in flames, he completed the bombing run. Lindsey ordered his crew to parachute to safety, but refused to escape himself, ensuring their survival. Moments after the last crew member jumped, the plane exploded, killing Lindsey. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.

The B-26 flew its last combat missions against the German garrison at the Île d'Oléron on 1 May 1945, with the last units disbanding in early 1946.

British Commonwealth

In 1942, a batch of 52 B-26A Marauders (designated Marauder I by the RAF) were offered to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease. Like the earlier Martin Maryland and Baltimore, these aircraft were sent to the Mediterranean, replacing the Bristol Blenheims of 14 Squadron in Egypt. The squadron flew its first operational mission on 6 November 1942, being used for long-range reconnaissance, mine-laying and anti-shipping strikes. Unlike the USAAF, 14 Squadron used the equipment for carrying torpedoes, sinking several merchant ships with this weapon. The Marauder also proved useful in disrupting enemy air transport, shooting down considerable numbers of German and Italian transport aircraft flying between Italy and North Africa.

In 1943, deliveries of 100 long-wingspan B-26C-30s (Marauder II) allowed two squadrons of the South African Air Force, 12 Squadron and 24 Squadron to be equipped, these being used for bombing missions over the Aegean Sea, Crete, and Italy. A further 350 B-26Fs and Gs were supplied in 1944, with two more South African squadrons (21 and 30) joining No 12 and 24 in Italy to form an all-Marauder equipped wing, while one further SAAF squadron (25 Squadron) and the new RAF 39 Squadron, re-equipped with Marauders as part of the Balkan Air Force supporting Tito's Partisans in Yugoslavia. A Marauder of 25 Squadron SAAF, shot down on the unit's last mission of World War II on 4 May 1945, was the last Marauder lost in action. The British and South African aircraft were quickly scrapped following the end of the war, the United States not wanting the return of the Lend-Lease aircraft.

France

Following Operation Torch, (the Allied invasion of North Africa), the Free French Air Force re-equipped three squadrons with Marauders for medium-bombing operations in Italy and the Allied invasion of southern France. These B-26s replaced Lioré et Olivier LeO 451s and Douglas DB-7s. Toward the end of the war, seven of the nine French Groupes de Bombardement used the Marauder, taking part in 270 missions with 4,884 aircraft sorties in combat. Free French B-26 groups were disbanded in June 1945. Replaced in squadron service by 1947, two lingered on as testbeds for the Snecma Atar jet engine, one of these remaining in use until 1958.

Corporate Operations

In the immediate postwar years, a few Marauders were converted as high-speed executive transports, accommodating up to 15 passengers. The specifications of the individual conversions differed considerably. The example shown in the image was completed in 1948 and had streamlined nose and tail fairings and windows inserted in the rear fuselage. It served United Airlines before being sold to Mexico. It was purchased by the Confederate Air Force and restored to wartime markings for air-display purposes before being lost in a fatal crash in 1995.

Variants

B-26: The first 201 planes were ordered based upon design alone. Prototypes were not characterized with the usual "X" or "Y" designations. They had Pratt & Whitney R-2800-5 engines. Armament consisted of two .30 caliber and two .50 caliber machine guns. (The last model was armed with nearly three times that number.) The approximate cost then was $80,226.80 per aircraft (201 built).

B-26A: This incorporated changes made on the production line to the B-26, including upgrading the two .30 caliber machine guns in the nose and tail to .50 caliber. In total, 52 B-26As were delivered to the Royal Air Force, which were used as the Marauder Mk I. The approximate cost then was $102,659.33 per aircraft (139 built).

B-26B: This model had further improvements on the B-26A, including revised tail gunner's glazing. Nineteen were delivered to the Royal Air Force as the Marauder Mk.IA. Production blocks of the 1,883 aircraft built:

AT-23A or TB-26B: 208 B-26Bs converted into target tugs and gunnery trainers designated JM-1 by the US Navy

B-26B: Single tail gun replaced with twin guns; belly-mounted "tunnel gun" added (81 built)

B-26B-1: Improved B-26B. (225 built)

B-26B-2: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-41 radials (96 built)

B-26B-3: Larger carburetor intakes; upgrade to R-2800-43 radials (28 built)

B-26B-4: Improved B-26B-3 (211 built)

B-26B-10 through B-26B-55: Beginning with block 10, the wingspan was increased from 65 to 71 feet (20 to 22 m) and flaps were added outboard of the engine nacelle to improve handling problems during landing caused by high wing loads. The vertical stabilizer height was increased from 19 feet 10 inches (6.05 m) to 21 feet 6 inches (6.55 m). Armament was increased from six to twelve .50 caliber machine guns; this was done in the forward section so that the B-26 could perform strafing missions. The tail gun was upgraded from manual to power operated. Armor was added to protect the pilot and copilot; 1,242 were built.

CB-26B: 12 B-26Bs were converted into transport aircraft (all were delivered to the US Marine Corps for use in the Philippines).

B-26C: This designation was assigned to those B-26Bs built in Omaha, Nebraska, instead of Baltimore, Maryland. Although nominally the B-26B-10 was the first variant to receive the longer wing, it was actually installed on B-26Cs before the B-26B-10, both being in production simultaneously. A total of 123 B-26Cs was used by the RAF and SAAF as the Marauder Mk II. The approximate cost then was $138,551.27 per aircraft (1,210 built).

TB-26C: Originally designated as AT-23B; this was a trainer modification of the B-26C (about 300 modified).

XB-26D: This modified B-26 was used to test hot-air deicing equipment, in which heat exchangers transferred heat from engine exhaust to air circulated to the leading and trailing edges of the wing and empennage surfaces. This system, while promising, was not incorporated into any production aircraft made during World War II. (One converted)

B-26E: This modified B-26B was constructed to test the effectiveness of moving the dorsal gun turret from the aft fuselage to just behind the cockpit. The offensive and defensive abilities of the B-26E were tested in combat simulations against normal aircraft. Although the tests showed that gains were made with the new arrangement, they were insignificant. A cost analysis concluded that the benefit did not justify the effort needed to convert production lines for the new turret position (one converted).

B-26F: Angle-of-incidence of wings was increased by 3.5º; the fixed .50 caliber machine gun in the nose was removed; the tail turret and associated armor were improved. The first B-26F was produced in February 1944. One hundred of these were B-26F-1-MAs. Starting with 42-96231, a revised oil cooler was added, along with wing bottom panels redesigned for easier removal. In total, 200 of the 300 aircraft were B-26F-2s and F-6s, all of which were used by the RAF and SAAF as the Marauder Mk III. The F-2 had the Bell M-6 power turret replaced by an M-6A with a flexible canvas cover over the guns. The T-1 bombsight was installed instead of the M-series sight. British bomb fusing and radio equipment were provided (300 built).

B-26G: This was a B-26F with standardized interior equipment. In total, 150 bombers were used by the RAF as the Marauder Mk III (893 built).

TB-26G: B-26G converted for crew training. Most, possibly all, were delivered to the US Navy as the JM-2 (57 converted).

XB-26H: This test aircraft for tandem landing gear was nicknamed the "Middle River Stump Jumper" from its "bicycle" gear configuration, to see if it could be used on the Martin XB-48. (One converted)

JM-1P: A small number of JM-1s were converted into photo-reconnaissance aircraft for the US Navy.

Marauder I: British designation for 52 B-26As for the Royal Air Force

Marauder IA: British designation for 19 B-26Bs for the Royal Air Force

Marauder II: British designation for 123 B-26Cs for the Royal Air Force; 100 passed on to South African Air Force and supported invasion of Italy

Marauder III: British designation for 200 B-26F and 150 B-26G for the Royal Air Force and South African Air Force.

With the exception of the B-26C, all models and variants of the B-26 were produced at Martin's Middle River manufacturing plant. The B-26C was built at the Martin plant in Omaha.

Operators

France: Free France

South Africa:  South African Air Force

Turkey: Turkish Air Force

United Kingdom: Royal Air Force

USA:

United States Army Air Corps

United States Army Air Forces

United States Marine Corps

United States Navy

Surviving Aircraft

France

B-26G

44-68219 Dinah Might: Utah Beach Museum (Musée du Débarquement Utah Beach) on loan from the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace in Le Bourget. It was previously recovered from the Air France training school.

United States

Airworthy

B-26

40-1464: part of the Fantasy of Flight collection in Polk City, Florida.

On display

B-26

40-1459 Charley's Jewel: MAPS Air Museum in Akron, Ohio.

B-26G

43-34581 Shootin In: National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. This aircraft was flown in combat by the Free French Air Force during the final months of World War II. It was obtained from the mechanics' training school of French airline Air France near Paris in June 1965. It is painted as a 9th Air Force B-26B assigned to the 387th Bombardment Group in 1945.

Under restoration

B-26

40-1370: for display by Aircraft Restoration Services LLC, Murrieta, California.

B-26B

41-31856: for display at Aircraft Restoration Services LLC, French Valley Airport, Murrieta, California for the Pima Air & Space Museum, in Tucson, Arizona.

41-31773 Flak-Bait: for display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. This aircraft survived 207 operational missions over Europe, more than any other American aircraft during World War II.

Specifications (B-26G)

Crew: 7: (2 pilots, bombardier/radio operator, navigator/radio operator, 3 gunners)

Length: 58 ft 3 in (17.75 m)

Wingspan: 71 ft 0 in (21.64 m)

Height: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)

Wing area: 658 sq ft (61.1 m2)

Airfoil: root: NACA 0017-64; tip: NACA 0010-64

Empty weight: 24,000 lb (10,886 kg)

Gross weight: 37,000 lb (16,783 kg)

Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial piston engines, 2,000–2,200 hp (1,500–1,600 kW) each

Propellers: 4-bladed constant-speed feathering propellers

Maximum speed: 287 mph (462 km/h, 249 kn) at 5,000 feet (1,500 m)

Cruise speed: 216 mph (348 km/h, 188 kn)

Landing speed: 114 mph (99 kn; 183 km/h)

Combat range: 1,150 mi (1,850 km, 1,000 nmi) with 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) bomb load and 1,153 US gal (4,365 L) of fuel

Ferry range: 2,850 mi (4,590 km, 2,480 nmi)

Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m)

Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.1 m/s)

Power/mass: 0.10 hp/lb (0.16 kW/kg)

Guns: 11 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns. One flexible in nose position, four fixed in blisters on fuselage (fired by the pilot), two in dorsal turret, two in tail turret, one each in port and starboard lower waist positions

Bombs: Up to 4,000 lb (1,800 kg)

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O'Mahony, Charles. "Me & My Gal: The Stormy Combat Romance Between a WWII Bomber Pilot and his Martin B-26." Wings, December 1994.

Parshall, Jonathon and Anthony Tulley. Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway. Washington D.C.: Potomac Books, 2005.

Rehr, Louis S. and Carleton R. Rehr. Marauder: Memoir of a B-26 Pilot in Europe in World War II. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc, 2003.

Scutts, Jerry. B-26 Marauder Units of the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1997.

Slessor, Sir John. The Central Blue. New York: Fredrick A. Praeger, Inc., 1957.

Swanborough, F.G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam, First edition, 1963.

Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1990.

Tannehill, Victor C. Boomerang, Story of the 320th Bombardment Group in World War II. Self-published.

Tannehill, Victor C. The Martin Marauder B-26. Arvada, Colorado: Boomerang Publishers, 1997.

Trent, Jack. " 'Fat-Bottomed Girls': The Martin B-26 Marauder." Scale Aircraft Modeller, Volume 14, No. 7, July 2008.

United States Air Force Museum Guidebook. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: Air Force Museum Foundation, 1975.

Wagner, Ray. The Martin B-26B & C Marauder (Aircraft in Profile No. 112). Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1965. Reprinted 1971.

 

---

[1]        The 5,288 serial numbers published in Mendenhall's Deadly Duo effectively refutes the lesser count of the National Air and Space Museum.

[2]        Rare photos on pp. 61–62 show the original tail gun position for the B-26 Marauder 1A with the single .30 caliber replaced with a single .50 caliber, and tail gun position of the B-26B, which was upgraded from one .50 caliber to two .50 caliber machine guns.

Martin B-26C (42-107669), 495th Bomb Squadron.

An unidentified B-26 Marauder with distinctive “invasion stripes” flies over Sword Beach as landing craft make their way ashore below on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Two B-26 Marauders over Germany. The black splotches are flak bursts.

Lt. James Farrell (front row, kneeling) and his crew pose on B-26 Marauder "Flak-Bait" shortly before the Normandy invasion.

Martin B-26 Marauders belonging to the 322nd Bomb Group’s four squadrons can be seen dispersed around Andrews Field near Great Saling, Essex, England.

B-26 Marauder with flak damage.

Ordnance Lieutenant Elroy Derksen glances up from writing on papers laying on the hood of his jeep at a military base in New Guinea. His jeep has the phrase "On Wisconsin" painted below the windshield. "On Wisconsin" is the title of the University of Wisconsin Fight Song and the State Song of Wisconsin. The tail of a B-26 Marauder is behind him. 14 December 1943.

Martin B-26 Marauder cockpit USAAF.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 41-31944, WT-G, “Klassie Lassie,” 456th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 41-31664, KX-A, “Heavenly Body,” 558th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 41-35264, TQ-U, “Sky Queen,” 559th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, “Little Audrey,” 19th Bomb Squadron.

Martin B-26 Marauder, “Little Audrey,” 19th Bomb Squadron.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 41-34862, battle number “01,” “Little Sirocco,” 319th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 84, 444th Bomb Squadron.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 323rd Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, N3-A (foreground), “Maxwell House,” 496th Bomb Squadron, 344th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, “Rat Poison” (left), 553rd Bomb Squadron and B-26, 554th Bomb Squadron, on a D-Day strike.

Martin B-26 Marauder, HS-C, 394th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 386th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 42-95903, 7I-F, “Hard to Get,” personal aircraft of 497th Bomb Squadron’s commanding officer, Maj. D. Bentley.

Martin B-26 Marauder.

Martin B-26A Marauder with dummy torpedo.

Attack by Martin B-26 Marauders on the railroad bridge across the Moselle river at Trier-Pfalzel, Germany, 24 December 1944.

Cockpit of the Martin B-26 Marauder, 18 February 1941.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 41-17704, “75”.

B-26B, 41-17876, USAAF.

Martin B-26 Marauder, "Ginger". The six "duck" mission symbols are for diversion missions. The 9th Air Force would send out two formations to try and confuse the Germans on what the main target was. The second smaller formation was called the diversionary force and painted the duck symbol on their planes for those missions.

Martin B-26 Marauder, AN-Y, 553 BS, 386 BG, over Cherbourg.

WASP piloting a Martin B-26 Marauder.

Two B-26 Marauders carrying invasion stripes.

Martin B-26 Marauder armorers.

Martin B-26 Marauder received a direct hit to the left engine during the bombing of Erkelenz, Germany, February 23, 1945.

However...

Carl Carrozza, web master for the 344th Bomb Group, posted this info about this photo:

As webmaster for the 344th Bomb Group, I gather information, photos, and am in contact with some of the remaining veterans. My problem comes with the famous picture shown here. It is commonly identified to be:

“Official” record of above: Bomber “Marauder” B-26, serial number 43-34565, Gratis Gladys, 7I-B, 497 Squadron, 344th Bombardment Group, 9th U.S. Air Force is crashing to the ground after receiving a direct hit in the left engine during the bombing of a Erkelenz, Germany, 23 Feb 1945. MACR 12649

Capt. Carl Franklin Chapman (killed) Pilot
1st Lt. John Jack Sheehan (killed) Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. James Richard Harl (killed) Bombardier
1st Lt. Kenneth Gordon Bowdish (killed) Navigator
T/Sgt. J P Herndon (killed) Radio/Gunner
S/Sgt. Ballard James Bentley (killed) Engineer/Turret
S/Sgt. W T Williamson (killed) Tail Gunner/Armourer
1st Lt. Frederick Darwin Storey, Jnr – GEE operator (killed)

The problem comes from a conflicting story from an eyewitness! Don (Corky) Korkowski tells me that his plane’s camera took this picture on February 13, 1945. His story goes as follows.

“The camera was intended to record our bombing results. I helped to develop the film and we were surprised that the exploding plane happened to be right in the camera’s view. Two planes were shot down at almost the same moment. Yeager’s plane (MACR# 12221 DATE – 13 Feb 1945) to his left and Williams plane (MACR# 12305 DATE – 13 Feb 1945) in front of him. It was hit and rolled over and went under my plane as the picture was taken. You can see shrapnel in the picture and possibly the trails of rockets that I believe were shot at the formation.”

So I would like to ask the historians who come [here] to advise me. Korkowski who is still with us and in very good shape has gone over this me several times and has mailed me copies of this picture from his collection. He is sure this photo is of Williams plane (42-107679 7I-M). How should I label this picture or do I just provide the controversy as outlined here?

Also from a Reddit post of the same photo:

23rd February 1945 only one B26 was lost to 497Bomber Squadron according to Volume 6 of The Losses of the 8th and 9th Air Forces: B-26G-10-MA 43-34565 7I: 344BG,497BS. P* Capt Carl F Chapman Jr СР* 1 Lt John J Sheehan N* 1 Lt Kenneth G Bowdish N/B* 2 Lt James R Harl E* S/Sgt Ballard J Bentley RO* T/Sgt J P Herndon GOP* 1 Lt Frederick D Storey Jr TG* S/Sgt W T Williamson

MACR 12649:- T/O Cormeilles-en-Vexin, France on mission to Erkelenz, Germany. Aircraft was struck by flak while crossing the target, burst into flames, pulled out of the formation, went into a spin, crashed and exploded on the ground at Erkelenz. This is about 9 miles southwest of Mönchen-Gladbach. 8 KIA. Note:- Interred in Netherlands Cemetery on 8 March 1945, Plots Q-9-209 (P), 9-12-298 (CP), Q-12-296 (E) and Q-9-214 (TG) The P, RO and TG remain in Netherlands Cemetery, Plots L-3-1 (P), 0-21-1 (RO) and L-4-22 (TG). The CP was intered in Ardennes Cemetery; Plot B-10-236. He was finally buried in Plot C-9-31, Ardennes Cemetery: The N and N/B were also interred in Ardennes Cemetery to-gether with the remains of what seems to be Lt Storey. After the war the three remains could not be individually identified and they received a Group Burial in Plot R-96 and 97, Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.

Walter Cronkite with the crew of a B-26 Marauder assigned to the 323rd Bomb Group.

"Flossie's Fury," Martin B-26C-45-MO Marauder, s/n 42-107735, 95th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group. A direct hit by AAA between the right engine and the wing severed the engine and caused the aircraft to lose control on the August 20,1944 mission to Toulon, France. Only two of the eight man crew were able to bail out of the aircraft. MACR 7867: 1st Lt. Joseph L. Albury, Jr. - Pilot (O-747698) Florida, KIA - buried in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky; 2nd Lt. Joseph J. Casey - Co-Pilot (O-817628) Pennsylvania, KIA - buried in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky; 1st Lt. Paul Marshall, Jr. - Navigator (O-681935) Wisconsin, KIA - buried in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky; 2nd Lt. Edgar W. Hawthorne - Bombardier (O-760120) Louisiana, KIA - buried in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky; S/Sgt. George L. Moscovis - Engineer/Gunner (38483705) Louisiana, EVADED - returned to duty 16 OCT 1944; S/Sgt. Robert J. McCluskey - Radio Operator/Gunner (16034496) Illinois, EVADED - returned to duty 5 SEPT 1944; S/Sgt. Francis A. Pesta - Armorer/Gunner (31065486) Connecticut, KIA; Pvt. Herman L. Frieden - Photographer/Gunner (16051044) Missouri, KIA - buried in Rhone American Cemetery in Draguignan, France.

Martin B-26B-15-MA Marauder "Elmer" (AN-Y) s/n 41-31577, 553rd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.

Martin B-26B-15-MA Marauder "A Kay Pea's Dream" (KX-H) s/n 41-31669, 558th BS, 387th BG, 9th AF. Hit by AAA on June 15,1944 raid on Villers Bocage near Caen,France. Ditched off Sussex coast, 3KIA and 2 returned. (USAF photo) MACR 8164: 1st Lt. Jack McHenry - Pilot (O-742339) KIA, Burbank, California / On the Tablets of the Missing in Cambridge, England; 1st Lt. James M. Jack - Co-Pilot (O-680988) KIA, Denver, Colorado / On the Tablets of the Missing in Cambridge, England; Sgt. Alexander Malash - Engineer/Gunner (6150553) KIA, Trumbull, Connecticut / On the Tablets of the Missing in Cambridge, England; S/Sgt. Dominic A. Gelormo - Radio Operator/Gunner (33581094) Returned to Duty, Paoli, Pennsylvania; S/Sgt. Warren C. Schriver - Armorer/Tail Gunner (13092140) Returned to Duty, Shamkin, Pennsylvania.

Martin B-26B-30-MA Marauder "Can't Get Started" aka "Texas Tiff" (RJ-R) s/n 41-31918, 454th BS, 323rd BG, 9th AF. Shot down by an Me262 over Germany on April 20,1945. (USAF photo) MACR 14083: Crew on April 20,1945: 1st Lt. Dale E. Sanders - Pilot (POW), (O-819622) Glendale,California; 1st Lt. Edwin T. Murphy - CoPilot (POW) (O-777773) Shreveport, Louisiana; T/Sgt. Robert V. Mollett - Bombardier (POW) (19074057) Tacoma,Washington; T/Sgt. Nicholas L. Lavalouis - Engineer/Gunner (POW) (39277804) San Diego, California; T/Sgt. James E. Payne - Radio Operator/Gunner (POW) (14132230) Lone Mountain,Tennessee; S/Sgt. Herbert J. Thompson - Armorer/Gunner (POW) (6289391) Port Arthur,Texas.

Martin B-26B-55-MA Marauder "Mama Liz" (9F-R)s /n 42-96120, 597th BS, 397th BG, 9th AF. Reported as MIA on June 24,1944. (USAF photo) MACR 6197: Crew on June 24,1944: Capt. Moses J. Gatewood,Jr. - Pilot (Evaded) (O-25613) Columbus, Georgia; 1st Lt. Richard Haymond - CoPilot (POW - Stalag 7a) (O-812258) Wilson, Pennsylvania; 1st Lt. Walter D. Blatchford - Bombardier (POW - Stalag 7a) (O-743752) Trenton, New Jersey; S/Sgt. William J. Snyder - Engineer/Gunner (POW - Stalag Luft 4) (32384117) Watertown, New York; T/Sgt. William T. O'Brien - Radio Operator/Gunner (POW - Stalag Luft 4) (6148980) Tampa, Florida; S/Sgt. Lee E. Hughes - Armorer/Tail Gunner (POW - Dulag Luft) (36382232) Paris, Tennessee.

Martin B-26F-1-MA of the 584th Bomb Squadron, 394th Bomb Group in flight at bomb release. (U.S. Air Force photo) This may be a plane named "Who Cares" (s/n 42-96323).

Another shot of "Elmer", B-26B-15-MA s/n 41-31577 "Elmer" from the 553rd BS, 386th BG, 9th AF.

Martin B-26B-20-MA s/n 41-31718 "El Capitain" (KS-O) from the 557th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.

Martin B-26C-15-MO s/n 41-34959 named "Clark's Little Pill" codes SS-Q from the 451st Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group. Lost 9 September 1943. 

Lt. Clayton F. "Lucky" Allen,a 'bombagator' on a B-26 Marauder, with his missions painted on his flying jacket - bombs for missions, ducks for diversions, 1943.

Martin B-26C-45-MO s/n 42-107692 from the 455th BS, 323rd BG, 9th AF.

B-26 Marauder on the runway, 28 November 1940. Note pre-war rudder markings.

Formation of Martin B-26Bs from the 555th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group 9th Air Force, taken June 26, 1944. Closest aircraft is B-26B-15-MA "Mr. Five by Five" (s/n 41-31612). Note the invasion stripes. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Martin B-26B-1-MA Marauder "Earthquake McGoon" s/n 41-17747 with flak damage to the No. 1 engine nacelle, left wing and wheel well, in September 1943. Note the missing landing gear doors. (U.S. Air Force photo) This plane was assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force.

General Doolittle in the pilot's seat of a B-26 Marauder, somewhere in North Africa. Nose is a jackass with Hirohito as the head and Hitler as the back-end.

Photographers standing in front of Martin B-26B Marauder "Pappy's Pram". They have been on a total of 50 missions since operations began during WWII: (L-R) Sgt. James Hinkle, Sgt. Robert Hammerberg, Sgt. Frank Udovich, Sgt. Charles Smith, Sgt. Wilbur DeGroff.

B-26 with open bomb bay. This B-26 is either from the 455th BS, 323rd BG with a squadron code YU, or it's from the 495th BS, 344th BG with a squadron code Y5.

A B-26 Marauder in its early war standard camouflage and markings. The astrodome for celestial navigation, usually retracted, is raised atop the fuselage just forward of the wing in this photo.

Martin B-26B-4-MA Marauder "Lil Joe II" s/n 41-18063, 452nd Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.

Eight B-26 Marauders of the US Army Air Corps, at least three with and three without propellers, on the ramp outside the Middle River factory due to a shortage of Curtiss electric propellers during 1941.

The JM-1 was the Navy version of the USAAF's AT-23B trainer, an unarmed, unarmored B-26 variant. Painted yellow and used primarily for target towing, JM-1s were among the fastest Marauders.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) received 19 B-26B-4s, designated Marauder IA. Though the British are credited with coining the name Marauder (Martin Aircraft had proposed the name Martian) in 1940, no B-26s were exported until 1942.

The first of 96 B-26B-2 Marauders inflight on 16 September 1942. Almost 1900 -B series Marauders were built, 19 of which were sent to the RAF under a lend-lease agreement as Marauder IAs. 

A B-26B Marauder inflight. Note the enlarged engine scoops atop the nacelles.

The B-26B-55s were the first Marauders delivered in unpainted aluminum finish; main gear doors are just closing as this one climbs out.

Two B-26 Marauders escort a damaged third Marauder (with vapor trail) back from a mission over France. The Marauders' heavy armor helped protect them from enemy flak, and the B-26 had the lowest loss rate of any aircraft type during 1943.

A formation of B-26B Marauder medium bombers in flight.

B-26 Marauders from the 323rd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force over France. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Martin B-26 Marauders. (SDASM Archives)

Martin B-26 Marauder from the 599th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group.

Two squadrons of B-26 Marauders joining up for a mission. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Formation of Martin B-26Gs of the 441st Bomb Squadron, 320th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. Closest aircraft is B-26G-5-MA "Sandra Lee" (s/n 43-34252). (U.S. Air Force photo)

A group of B-26's from the 449th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force being led by "Flak Bait", a B-26B-25-MA serial number 41-31773. "Flak Bait" was the first Allied bomber to complete 200 sorties. Her nose section is on display at the National Air & Space Museum. (USAF photo) B-26B at top of photo is s/n 43-34371 of the 449th BS, 322nd BG.

A formation of B-26's from the 553rd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group. The plane at the upper left is "Rat Poison", a B-26B-15-MA s/n 41-31606.

Close-up of Martin B-26G-25-MA (s/n 44-68254) "Tail End Charlie '30,'" the last B-26G built. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Martin B-26B-2-MA (s/n 41-17876), taken 21 August 1942. This plane ended up serving with the 37th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force.(U.S. Air Force photo)

A pair of B-26's from the 494th Bomb Squadron, 344th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. Almost positive the lead plane is "Willie the Wolf" B-26G-5-MA s/n 43-34381 coded K9-D and not quite as sure that the other plane is "The Hearse III" B-26B-50-MA s/n 42-95941, shot down by AAA and abandoned on 28 November 1944. (USAF photo)

Martin B-26B-55-MA s/n 42-96138 "By Golly" (U2-C) From the 598th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. She was hit by fighters and crashed and burned on 9 July 1944.

Martin B-26 Marauder. (SDASM Archives)

Martin B-26C-15-MO Marauder "Jake's Jerks" (WT-Q) s/n 41-34963, 456th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. A B-26 Marauder crashes with a burning engine during a raid on Amsterdam-Schipol airdrome, Holland, 13 November 1943. Entire crew of seven were KIA. Hit by flak, this 8th (later 9th) Air Force Marauder has had one wing shot away, and tailing smoke from the burning remains of the wing, plunges towards the earth. It was the only Marauder lost in the raid on the Amsterdam-Schipol airdrome, Holland. Note the plane's severed engine at top-right of photo. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

Martin B-26-MA (s/n 40-1361) in flight in December 1940. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Martin B-26 Marauders heading out on a mission.

Martin B-26 Marauders heading out on a mission.

B-26B-4 Marauder "Mister Period Twice" (coded SS-T) s/n 41-17995, 451st BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. Originally named "Tondelayo".

B-26C-15-MO Marauder "Idiot's Delight" s/n 41-34947, 451st BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. Later transferred to 554th BS, 386th BG, 9th AF and re-named "Lady Luck". Lost on February 10,1944 when a wing was blown off by AAA over France. MACR 2082: 1st Lt. Robert B. Spencer - Pilot (O-521555) POW; F/O Dayton B. Mitstifer - Co-Pilot (T-186567) KIA; 1st Lt. Arch A. Dennen, Jr. - Bombardier (O-666009) KIA; S/Sgt. Gerard G. Bergeron - Engineer/Gunner (36178693) KIA; T/Sgt. Richard R. Faith - Radio Operator/Gunner (13087676) KIA; S/Sgt. John L. Dorton - Armorer/Gunner (35285622) KIA.

Martin B-26B Marauder s/n 41-18289 of the 452nd Bomb Sq, 322nd BG (coded PN-R). Nose art is the Ole Miss mascot Colonel Rebel.

Martin B-26B-10-MA Marauder "Colonel Rebel" s/n 41-18289 codes PN-R, 449th BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF.

Martin B-26C-15-MO Marauder "Blue Beard II" (coded SS-R) s/n 41-34973, 451st BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF.

Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder "Sparta" (coded YA-D) s/n 41-31794, 555th BS, 386th BG, 9th AF. Damaged by AAA and low on fuel on July 12,1944 mission to bomb the Nogent Leroi R/R Bridge, and bellylanded on a French beach. MACR 7045: 2nd Lt. Donald M. Epstein - Pilot (O-814884) POW; 2nd Lt. Herbert M. Zweig - Co-Pilot (O-820143) POW; 2nd Lt. Horace D. Dow - Bombardier/Navigator (O-762714) POW; S/Sgt. Wayne R. Austin - Engineer/Gunner (11085303) POW; T/Sgt. Bernard J. Adamski - Radio Operator/Gunner (32841696) POW; S/Sgt. John J. Farrell - Armorer/Gunner (31353862) POW.

Loading bombs on Martin B-26 Marauder of the 450th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.

The AT-23A/TB-26B were B-26Bs converted into target tugs and gunnery trainers designated JM-1 by the US Navy.

Martin B-26B-4 Marauder "Jezabelle" (coded DR-H) s/n 41-18054, 452nd BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. Broken up at Stansted,England in February 1945.

Martin B-26 Marauder s/n 41-17756.

Martin B-26 Marauder PN-H of the 449th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group.

Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder "Fighting Cock" codes ER-X s/n 41-31765 of the 450th BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF.

Martin B-26B-15-MA Marauder "Perkatory" codes YM-Q s/n 41-31627, 555th BS, 386th BG, 9th AF. Destroyed when a German Ju 88 crashed on it on 22 March 1944.

Martin B-26G-25-MA Marauder "Kathleen" (H9-C) s/n 44-68160, 586th BS, 394th BG, 9th AF. On bomb run over the rail yard at Ulm,Germany.

Martin B-26c-15-MO Marauder "Clark's Little Pill" (SS-Q) s/n 41-34959, 451st BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. Official caption: The Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber "Clark's Little Pill" has thundered over western Europe to its target 75 times without mechanical trouble, and the ground crew responsible for this record performance are: T/Sgt. Melvin Mumbower, Kalispell, MT - Crew Chief; M/Sgt. Floyd Cunningham, Mountain Grove, MO - Maintenance Flight Chief for the 451st BS, 322nd BG; Sgt. Peter F. Penrose, Philadelphia, PA - Assistant Crew Chief.

AT-23A/TB-26B were B-26Bs converted into target tugs and gunnery trainers designated JM-1 by the US Navy. 23 December 1943. (U.S. Navy photo)

#1 in a series of 3: Martin B-26B-30-MA Marauder "Louisiana Mud Hen" aka "Circle Jerk" s/n 41-31896, 453rd BS, 323rd BG, 9th AF. Lost on December 23,1944 when a direct hit by flak in the left engine sent it spinning out of control. All six crewmen were KIA. MACR 11659: 1st Lt. Joseph C. Bostick - Pilot (O-700857) KIA; 2nd Lt. James P. Hodges - Copilot (O-823584) KIA; 1st Lt. Howard Detel - Bombardier/Navigator (O-712259) KIA; S/Sgt. Albin W. Les - Engineer/Gunner (31287711) KIA; S/Sgt. Robert E. Hohimer - Radio Operator/Gunner (19175127) KIA; S/Sgt. A.C. Carrell - Armorer/Gunner (34805620) KIA.

#2 in a series of 3 (see previous photo).

#3 in a series of 3 (see previous two photos.

Two B-26 Marauders from the 454th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. Nearest aircraft: "Lady Luck III" (RJ-H) B-26C-45-MO Marauder s/n 42-107614. Lost on 23 December 1944 when she had her hydraulics shot out and the crew bailed out. Far Aircraft: "Black Magic IV" aka "Mr. Shorty" (RJ-S) B-26C-25-MO Marauder s/n 41-35253. Condemned as salvage on 1 June 1945.

Martin B-26C-25-MO Marauder "Carefree Carolyn" s/n 41-35247, 552nd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. The only info with the photo said this is her crew after returning from the plane's 100th mission, belly landed at Great Dunmow,Essex, England (Station 164). Aircraft was condemned as salvage on 17 June 1944.

B-26B-10-MA Marauder "Murder Inc." s/n 41-18272, 449th BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF.

Martin B-26B-30-MA Marauder "War Eagle" (ER-H) s/n 41-31888, 450th BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. Shot down by AAA on February 23,1945. Took a direct hit in the cockpit and went down. MACR 12642: Crew on last mission: 1st Lt. Jack G. Cox - Pilot / O-759356 (KIA) Alcoa, TN; 2nd Lt. Lyle A. Taggart - CoPilot / O-780093 (KIA) San Francisco, CA; 2nd Lt. Edward Wallerstein - Bombardier / O-746774 (KIA) New York, NY; S/Sgt. John R. Mackett - Engineer/Gunner / 36242794 (KIA) Milwaukee, WI; T/Sgt. Marion T. Evans - Radio Operator/Gunner / 39410223 (KIA) Stockton, CA; S/Sgt. Joseph M. Mischik - Tail Gunner / 31332552 (KIA) Bridgeport, Conn.

Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder "Cloud Hopper 2nd" s/n 41-31763, 554th BS, 386th BG, 9th AF. Lost on May 31,1944 mission to bomb the highway bridge near Rouen,France. The aircraft's left engine was hit by a falling bomb from the high flight. MACR 5120: 1st Lt. Donald B. Wren - Pilot (O-738326) EVD Kansas; 1st Lt. Uriah W. Miller - Co-Pilot (O-688835) KIA California / Buried in Epinal American Cemetery in Epinal, France; Sgt. Thomas J. Yates - Bombardier/Navigator (11096395) POW Rhode Island; S/Sgt. Dee E. Mitchell - Engineer/Gunner (18038345) POW Texas; Sgt. Angelo M. Staffo - Armorer/Tail Gunner (32668669) EVD New York; T/Sgt. Steve Tirpak - Radio Operator/Gunner (16052195) EVD Illinois. Lt. Miller was shot in his chute as he came down over what was then the front lines.

B-26B-15-MA Marauder "Rat Poison" (AN-S) s/n 41-31606, 553rd BS, 386th BG, 9th AF. This plane had flown more than 160 combat missions at this point. Guessing this photo was taken at Beaumont-sur-Oise,France (A-60). The 386th was only based at two different fields on continental Europe during the war. Beaumont-sur-Oise,France (A-60) moving there on 2 October 1944 and then to Sint-Truiden,Belgium (A-92) on 9 April 1945. The ruined walls give it an interesting framing. This also showed the conditions that 9th Air Force units lived in at their bases on the continent. The engineers learned it was quicker to repair existing Luftwaffe bases than to build new all the time and they would have some structures to live and work in, instead of tents.

B-26B-20-MA Marauder "Ye Olde Crocke" (coded RU-F) s/n 41-31755, 554th BS, 386th BG, 9th AF. Written off after crash-landing in France on 7 October 1944.

Martin B-26 Marauder "Manchester".

Martin B-26 Marauder formation.

B-26B-25-MA Marauder "Half and Half" s/n 41-31813, 454th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.

Martin B-26B-45-MA Marauder "Lady Chance" s/n 42-95818, 574th BS, 391st BG, 9th AF. 

Martin B-26 Marauder, 42-107582, 454th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group.

 

A Royal Air Force Martin Marauder over Banja Luca. RAF photo.

Drawing of the Martin B-26-MA Marauder (s/n 40-1391) "Susie-Q" of the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron, 22nd Bombardment Group, USAAF, that was flown by 1/Lt James Perry Muri during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. It received over 500 bullet holes and was written off after landing at Midway. he nose art with "Susie-Q" was cut out of the nose and kept as a souvenir. The rest of the B-26 was bulldozed into a barge and dumped into the lagoon off Midway. Note: This drawing originally showed 40-1436 of the 22nd Bomb Group that was scrapped in Brisbane in January 1944. The serial number was normally painted on the tail. Martin Čížek illustration, 2013.

Martin B-26B-1-MA (S/N 41-17747) nicknamed "Earthquake McGoon" of the 37th Bombardment Squadron, 17th Bombardment Group with flak damage to the No. 1 engine nacelle, left wing and wheel well, in September 1943. Note the missing landing gear doors. USAF photo.

B-26G "Shootin' In" at Wright-Patterson National Air Force Museum. 

WASPs on flight line at Laredo AAF, Texas, 22 January 1944. U.S. Air Force photo.

Martin B-26 Marauder in Free French Air Forces livery on display at Le Bourget.

Martin B-26B-50 Marauder 42-95857 558th Bomb Squadron, 98th Bomb Wing.

Martin B-26G-11-MA Marauder, 43-34581, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, marked as B-26B-50-MA, 42-95857, written off in an accident on 19 April 1945.

Martin B-26B/C Marauder.

A 3-view line drawing of the Martin B-26F and B-26G Marauders. Erection and Maintenance Instructions for Airplanes: Army Models B-26B-1, B-26C, B-26F and B-26G; Navy Models JM-1 and JM-2; British Models Marauder II and III, AN 01-35E-2, 1945, 8. Specific page with drawing is noted as being "[r]evised 25 August 1945" at the bottom. Provided by the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio.

Four U.S. Army Air Forces Martin B-26 Marauder of the 449th Bombardment Squadron, 322nd Bombardment Group in flight on 17 April 1945, during a sortie to attack Magdeburg, Germany. Aircraft L-R: PN-X 43-34371, PN-O 41-31773 "Flak Bait", PN-D 41-31822, PN-A 42-107664 "Je Reviens". U.S. National Archives and Records Administration photo (NAID) 204992004.

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31773) nicknamed "Flak Bait" of the 322nd Bomb Group, Andrews Field Aerodrome, England, 1944. Imperial War Museum photo FRE 7083.

 

Two U.S. Army Air Forces Martin B-26 Marauder of the 449th Bombardment Squadron, 322nd Bombardment Group in flight on 17 April 1945, during a sortie to attack Magdeburg, Germany. Aircraft L-R: PN-O 41-31773 "Flak Bait", PN-X 43-34371. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration photo (NAID) 204992007.

Major General James Doolittle pilots a B-26B serial number 41-17600 into the airport at Onjda, North Africa, 29 January 1943. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration photo (NAID) 292570.

The Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory’s first aircraft, a Martin B–26B Marauder, serial number 41-17604, parked in front of the Flight Research Building on 21 September 1943. The military loaned the B–26B to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) to augment the lab’s studies of the Wright Aeronautical R–2800 engines. The military wanted to improve the engine cooling in order to increase the bomber’s performance. On March 17, 1943, the B–26B performed the very first research flight at the NACA’s new engine laboratory. The B–26B received its “Widowmaker” nickname during the rushed effort to transition the new aircraft from design to production and into the sky. During World War II, however, the B–26B proved itself to be a capable war machine. The U.S. lost fewer Marauders than any other type of bomber employed in the war. The B–26B was originally utilized at low altitudes in the Pacific but had its most success at high altitudes over Europe. The B–26B’s flight tests in Cleveland during 1943 mapped the R-2800 engine’s behavior at different altitudes and speeds. The researchers were then able to correlate engine performance in ground facilities to expected performance at different altitudes. They found that air speed, cowl flap position, angle of attack, propeller thrust, and propeller speed influenced inlet pressure recovery and exhaust distribution. The flight testing proceeded quickly, and the B–26B was transferred elsewhere in October 1943. Glenn Research Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) photo GRC-1943-C-02280.

 A U.S. Army Air Forces Martin B-26B-MA Marauder (s/n 41-17635) in flight with the starboard propeller feathered. This aircraft crashed at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (USA), on 4 December 1942 (pilot: Rosser C. Forbes). U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 2011.003.098.018.

B-26C 41-27876 of the 552d Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group. USAAF photo.

Martin TB-26B trainer, serial number 42-43332, Kingman, Arizona, February 1947. Bill Larkins photo.

Martin TB-26B trainer, serial number 41-32012, Kingman, Arizona, February 1947. Bill Larkins photo.

B-26 crew photo from the 1st Pathfinder Squadron (Provisional), Andrews Field, England, 1944. USAAF photo.

Members of 320th Bombardment Group at the end of World War II, tossing caps. USAAF photo.

Ground personnel of the 387th Bomb Group work on the engines of a shark mouth B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96165) nicknamed "The Big Hairy Bird". 1944. Imperial War Museum photo FRE 7318.

B-26B-55-MA Marauder serial number 42-96165 "Big Hairy Bird," 599th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force, 1 December 1944. 

An airman of the 323rd Bomb Group with a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31643) nicknamed "Bat-Outa-Hell II." Imperial War Museum photo FRE 7103.

Three airmen of the 323rd Bomb Group with a bomb and their B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-34863) nicknamed "Bingo Buster," 1944. Imperial War Museum FRE 7097.

B-26 Marauders of the 322nd Bomb Group line up for take off behind a B-26 (serial number 41-34959) nicknamed "Clark's Little Pill," 1944. Imperial War Museum photo FRE 7090.

Four members of the United States Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) receive final instructions as they chart a cross-country course on the flight line of U.S. airport. Assigned to the ferrying division of the United States Army Air Transport Command, the women pilots belong to the first class of American women to complete a rigorous nine-week transitional flight training course in handling B-26 Marauder medium bombers. They have been given special assignments with the U.S. Army Air Forces as tow target pilots. The B-26 behind them has "Dry Run" nose art. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration photo (NAID) 535781.

A B-26 Marauder nicknamed "El Capitan" of the 387th Bomb Group, 1944. USAAF photo.

A B-26 Marauder (KS-R, serial number 41-31707) nicknamed "Five By Fives" of the 557th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group, 1944. USAAF photo.

B-26B-35-MA Marauder 41-31984 "Good Buddie" 554th Bombardment Squadron 386th Bombardment Group 1943 The official caption stated this was taken at RAF Boxted,Essex (USAAF Station 150) which would mean this was from between June 10 and September 29, 1943. USAAF photo.

B-26 flown by Col. Gerald E. Williams, commander of the 391st Bombardment Group. The plane was named "Lady Belle" for his mother, Belle Williams. Presque Isle Air Museum, Maine photo.

Col. Gerald E. Evans and Maj. Woods, bombardier with B-26, the "Lady Belle" about 1944. Presque Isle Air Museum, Maine photo.

An airman of the 323rd Bomb Group with a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-34879) nicknamed "Little Lulu." Imperial War Museum photo FRE 7100.

William Randolph Hearst Jr. (son of the famous newspaper publisher) with a bomber crew of the 387th Bomb Group and their B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Little Lulu." USAAF photo.

Two airmen of the 323rd Bomb Group inspect a map in front of their B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-34854) nicknamed "Rock Hill Special (Lucky Graki)." Imperial War Museum photo FRE 7095.

A bomber crew of the 323rd Bomb Group with a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Makahlea II," 1944. USAAF photo.

B-26C 41-31737 of the 552d Bombardment Squadron, 386th Bombardment Group World War II. Nose art "Male Call." USAAF photo.

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31657) nicknamed "Mississippi Mudcat" of the 387th Bomb Group, at Chipping Ongar, 1944. Imperial War Museum photo FRE 7326.

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (FW-T, serial number 43-34119) nicknamed "Off Limits" of the 558th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group at Saint-Simon - Clastres Air Base (ALG A-71), France, 1945. Imperial War Museum FRE 7322.

Fog-bound B-26 Marauders (TQ-A, serial number 41-31681) nicknamed "Patsy" and (serial number 41-31662) nicknamed "Old Crow" of the 387th Bomb Group at Debden, January 1944. USAAF photo.

B-26B-15, serial number 41-31672, "Pistol Packin' Mama!". Martin engineers devised a number of improvements to the design, most noticeably a "twisted wing" with a 3 1/2-degree up angle to make take-offs safer, a solid nose with two 37 mm cannons and two .50 caliber machine guns, and a horn-balanced rudder. Acting without authority from procurement officials, the company modified three "dog ships" kept at the factory as B-26-E's. They were flown down to Washington for demonstration to General Arnold and his staff, who were duly impressed. SDASM Archives photo.

A ground crewman of the 387th Bomb Group with a B-26 Marauder (FW-T, serial number 41-31900) nicknamed "Short Snorter," 1944. Imperial War Museum photo FRE 7323.

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Sweatin' 2nd" of the 387th Bomb Group, 1944. USAAF photo.

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group, 4 December 1943. Imperial War Museum photo FRE 13539.

Colonel George Snyder, left, of the 387th Bomb Group and his crew, with their B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Wuneach." USAAF photo.

 Marauder Mark I, FK111, of the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, on a test flight from Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. After a period with No. 301 Ferry Training Unit, this aircraft saw operational service as a torpedo-bomber with No. 14 Squadron RAF in North Africa and Italy. Imperial War Museum photo E(MOS) 1084.

 Three Martin Marauder Mark Is (FK375 ‘D’ “Dominion Revenge” nearest), of No. 14 Squadron RAF based at Fayid, Egypt, flying in starboard echelon formation. Imperial War Museum photo CM 5000.

B-26F Marauder. Air Force Historical Research Agency photo.

B-26 Marauders of the 34th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bombardment Group, 1944. USAAF via U.S. National Archives.

B-26 Marauders of the 21st Bomb Squadron, 320th Bomb Group, MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida.

B-26s of the 319th Bombardment Group take off en-masse, 1944. USAAC photo.

B-26 Marauder of the 322nd Bombardment Group, based at RAF Andrews Field England, on a bomb run, 1944. USAAF photo.

B-26 of the 323d Bombardment Group (Medium), RAF Earls Colne, England, 1944. USAAF photo.

B-26 of the 323d Bombardment Group (Medium), RAF Earls Colne, England, 1944. USAAF photo.

 B-26 of the 323d Bombardment Group (Medium), RAF Earls Colne, England, 1944. USAAF photo.

Two B-26 Marauders, (RJ-H, serial number 42-107614) nicknamed "Lady Luck III" and (RJ-C) of the 323rd Bomb Group in flight. Marauders in flight over France on bombing mission to Germany, 1944. USAAF photo.

387th Bomb Group B-26 Marauders parked at RAF Chipping Ongar, England, 1944. USAAF photo.

Ground personnel of the 387th Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-26 Marauder on D-Day, 1944. USAAF photo.

Recruiting Poster, United States Army Air Forces, 1944.

Martin B-26C Marauder in flight, 1944. Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Serial Number 41-31765. Coded ER-X. Name “Fightin' Cock”. This aircraft was written-off after crash landing on 12 August 1944. It had received flak damage while over Flers, France and had its electrical system, generators and hydraulic systems shot out. The crew nursed it back to the base, Great Saling, Essex, USAAF St 485, renamed, Andrews Field, and got the gear cranked down after which the pilot ordered the enlisted men to bail out. While trying to land the plane it skidded off the runway and into the control tower, killing both pilots. 2nd Lt. John R. Walker, Jr., Pilot; 2nd Lt. Bruce Taylor, Co-Pilot; S/Sgt. Ernest Pilot, Togglier; Sgt. George E. Peterson, Engineer/Gunner; Sgt. John B. Hill, Radio Operator/Gunner; Sgt. Marvin E. Vogt, Tail Gunner.

Captain Howard M. Posson (back row, third from left) with the crew of "Fightin’ Cock", mostly likely taken at Bury St. Edmonds, England or Great Salig, Essex [Renamed Andrew Field], circa early August 1943.

B-26C Marauder “Fightin’ Cock” nose art.

B-26C Marauder “Fightin’ Cock” nose art.

B-26 Marauder “Fightin' Cock” 41-31765 coded ER-X 322BS 450BG 9AF.

The lone XB-26H "Middle River Stump Jumper", used for testing "bicycle" landing gear. 20 January 1947. USAAF photo.

B-26B "A Kay Pro's Dream" in flight.

A U.S. Army Air Force Martin B-26B Marauder 41-17747 of the 37th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group. This aircraft was hit by flak and belly landed at Telergma, Algeria, on 23 March 1943.

Martin B-26B Marauder 41-17876 USAAF.

Martin B-26B Marauder 42-96246 TQ-H 556th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group, Ninth Air Force.

Martin B-26B Marauder 42-96246 TQ-H 556th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group, Ninth Air Force.

Martin B-26B-55 Marauder 42-96137 9F-Y (foreground; the aircraft to its right is 42-96191, 9F-N) 596th and 599th Bomb Squadrons, 397th Bomb Group.