United States' Martin B-26 Marauder bomber
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook |
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Martin B-26 Marauder bomber at Dodge City AAF, 1944: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber damaged: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber damaged: |
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Cockpit of the Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber at the Wright Field static test lab: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber in the factory: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber in the factory: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber, over Normandy: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber at Youks-les-Bains airfield: United States Army in World War II, Pictorial Record, The War Against Germany and Italy: Mediterranean and Adjacent Areas, 1951, pg 44 |
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Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Martin B-26 Marauder bomber: |
Design
On January 25, 1939, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) put out a specification for a medium bomber that had high speed, long range, and could fly at a high altitude.4
The Martin Model 179 Marauder was designed for the United States Air Corps on July 5, 1939 and went straight into production without a prototype or trials.1,2 The head designer was Peyton M. Magruder.2,4 A total of 1,100 were ordered in September 1939.2,4
The first flight of the B-26 Marauder was at the factory in November 1940.1
Undercarriage
The engine nacelles housed the wheels of the tricycle undercarriage.1 The nose wheel retracted towards the rear, under the cockpit.1
Control Surfaces
To save on weight the flying control surfaces were wood ribs with fabric covers.1
Wings
The wings were placed high in the fuselage.4
Prototype
None made.1
Production
The first production model flew on November 25, 1940 (November 25, 19413).2,3,4 Production ended in April 1945.3
The B-26 Marauder cost $261,000 in 1940 and $192,000 in 1944 to build.1
- Martin B-26: 2013
- Martin B-26A: 1393,4
- Martin B-26B: 1,8832,3,4
- Produced at Martin's Baltimore, Maryland plant.2
- Production: May 1942 - ?4
- Martin B-26C: 1,2103, 1,2352,4
- Produced in Omaha, Nebraska.2,4
- Martin B-26F: 3003
- Martin B-26G: 8933
- Martin TB-26G: 573
- Total: 4,6833, 5,1571,2,4
- Manufacturer: Glenn L. Martin Company4
- Production: February 1941 - March 30, 19454
Variants
- Martin B-26: First production model.3
- Martin B-26A: Carried more fuel.3 Delivered in 1941.4
- Martin B-26B: Additional armor added.2,4 More gun added.2,3,4 Starting at aircraft 642 the wings were wider and had a taller fin.3
- Martin B-26B-10: Had 6' longer wings.4 Later designated the B-26C.4
- Martin B-26C: Similar to B-26B, but produced at a different factory.3
- Martin B-26F: Wing incidence increased by 3.5°.2,3,4
- Martin B-26G: Wing incidence increased by 3.5°.2,4
- Martin TB-26G: Trainer.3
- Martin JM-1: US Navy version of the TB-26G.3
- Martin JM-2: US Navy version of the TB-26G.3
- Martin AT-23: Target tug.3 A conversion.3
Usage
The countries that used the Marauder were Australia, Britain, France, South Africa, and the United States.3
Due to its bad reputation it was nicknamed "Widowmaker"4 and "Flying Coffin."1,3 However, by VE Day B-26s had the lowest loss rate of any American bomber in World War II.1,3 The B-26 needed an experienced pilot to concentrate on flying the B-26.4
Flak Bait
From August 16, 1943, to the end of World War II, "Flak Bait" flew 200 missions.4 It had over 1,000 flak holes covered by over 300 patches.4
Australia
The B-26 Marauders were first used by the 22nd Bomb Group, based in Australia, shortly after Pearl Harbor.1,2 They went into action over New Guinea in April 1942.2,3,4
Midway
B-26s carrying torpedoes were used at the Battle of Midway.3,4
Lyndon B. Johnson
Future president Lyndon B. Johnson received a Silver Star in a Marauder mission in New Guinea.1
Danger over Ijmuiden, Holland
An entire group of ten B-26 Marauders were lost to fighters, flak, and collisions in a mission in May 1943 over Ijmuiden, Holland.1
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force received 522 B-26 Marauders.1,2,4 The South African Air Force also flew the B-26 Marauder.1,2,4 In the Mediterranean the B-26 replaced the Blenheims.1
Specifications
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
- Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook, Ensign L. C. Guthman, 1943
