B-26 Marauder

B-26 Marauder
Name	B-26 Marauder
Caption	A B-26 Marauder in flight over Europe.
Type	Medium bomber
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Glenn L. Martin Company
Designer	Peyton M. Magruder
First flight	25 November 1940
Introduction	1941
Retired	1948
Primary user	United States Army Air Forces
Number built	5,288
Developed into	Martin XB-33 Super Marauder

B-26 Marauder was an American World War II-era twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. It saw extensive service with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), the Royal Air Force, the South African Air Force, and Free French Air Force, primarily in the European and Mediterranean theaters. Although its early service was marked by a high accident rate, earning it nicknames like "Widowmaker," design modifications and improved pilot training transformed it into one of the most effective and safest medium bombers of the war, boasting the lowest loss rate of any USAAF bomber.

Design and development

The design originated from a 1939 United States Army Air Corps specification for a high-speed medium bomber, with the Glenn L. Martin Company's Model 179 winning the competition. Led by chief engineer Peyton M. Magruder, the design emphasized speed and defensive firepower, featuring a relatively small, high-aspect-ratio wing and a streamlined fuselage. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines, the same powerplants used on the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and Vought F4U Corsair. The aircraft's innovative design included a tricycle landing gear and a manned dorsal turret, and it was one of the first American bombers to carry a powered Bendix remote-controlled ventral turret. Initial production began at Martin's plant in Baltimore.

Operational history

The Marauder entered service in 1941, but its demanding flight characteristics and high landing speed led to numerous training accidents, prompting investigations like the "Marauder Investigation Board" convened by General George C. Marshall. Following modifications and the implementation of improved training programs by units like the III Bomber Command, the aircraft's safety record dramatically improved. In combat, the B-26 proved exceptionally rugged and effective, serving with distinction in the North African Campaign, the Allied invasion of Sicily, the Battle of Normandy, and the invasion of Southern France. It performed crucial tactical bombing missions, including the low-level raid on the Bohlen oil refinery and strikes in support of the Battle of the Bulge. The Ninth Air Force was its primary USAAF operator in Europe.

Variants

The primary production model was the B-26B, which featured increased armament, armor, and fuel capacity. The B-26C was identical but built at a Martin plant in Omaha. The definitive late-war variant was the B-26G, which incorporated standardization changes like a universal M2 Browning mount in the tail. A dedicated reconnaissance version, the FB-26, was also produced. The United States Navy and United States Marine Corps used a small number of designated JM-1 and JM-2 utility aircraft. Post-war, some were converted into target tugs or executive transports.

Operators

The primary operator was the United States Army Air Forces. Through Lend-Lease, the Royal Air Force received several hundred, equipping squadrons such as No. 14 Squadron and No. 39 Squadron, which used them in the Mediterranean theatre. The South African Air Force operated Marauders as part of the Desert Air Force in North Africa and Italy. The Free French Air Force used them in the 1st Tactical Air Force after the Liberation of France. Post-war operators included the French Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force during the Indonesian National Revolution.

Specifications (B-26B)

* **Crew:** 7 (pilot, co-pilot, bombardier/nose gunner, navigator/radio operator, dorsal turret gunner, tail gunner, ventral turret gunner) * **Length:** 58 ft 3 in (17.8 m) * **Wingspan:** 71 ft 0 in (21.6 m) * **Height:** 21 ft 6 in (6.6 m) * **Empty weight:** 24,000 lb (10,900 kg) * **Max takeoff weight:** 37,000 lb (16,800 kg) * **Powerplant:** 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) each * **Maximum speed:** 282 mph (454 km/h, 245 kn) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m) * **Range:** 1,150 mi (1,850 km, 1,000 nmi) * **Service ceiling:** 21,700 ft (6,600 m) * **Armament:** 12 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns; up to 5,200 lb (2,400 kg) of bombs

Notable appearances in media

The B-26 has been featured in several notable films depicting its historical service. It appears in the 1949 war film *Twelve O'Clock High*, starring Gregory Peck, which dramatizes the pressures of command in the Eighth Air Force. The 1962 epic *The Longest Day*, depicting the D-Day landings, includes scenes with Marauders bombing coastal defenses. More recently, it was featured in the 2001 HBO miniseries *Band of Brothers* during episodes covering the Battle of the Bulge.

Category:World War II American bombers Category:Martin aircraft Category:1940s United States bomber aircraft