Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Martin B-26 Marauder: The Widowmaker in WWII” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/martin-b-26-marauder-widowmaker/.
Martin B-26 Marauder: The Widowmaker in WWII
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
powerboatr
Professional
like many things in lead up to ww2
lots of rushed stuff, plus advancements in aviator blew by pilots in regards to training
everyone thought...hey i am a pilot..therefore i can fly anything and dont need particular updated training
these are cool hot birds
thanks
lots of rushed stuff, plus advancements in aviator blew by pilots in regards to training
everyone thought...hey i am a pilot..therefore i can fly anything and dont need particular updated training
these are cool hot birds
thanks
Talyn
SAINT
Some misinformation in that title, which could have been worded better by the author, plus some minor edits.
At least the article itself, if some didn't actually read it, shows that the B-26 actually had the lowest loss rate in combat compared to other similar aircraft after upgrades to the early design and much better aircrew training.
Plus, it ignores the individual B-26 named "Flak Bait" survived an impressive 207 operational missions, the highest number for any American combat aircraft in the war.
The NASM B-26B-25-MA nicknamed "Flak-Bait" (AAF serial number 41-31773) survived 207 operational missions over Europe, more than any other American aircraft during World War II (A de Havilland Mosquito B. Mk. IX bomber completed 213 missions but this aircraft was destroyed in a crash at Calgary Airport in Canada, two days after V-E Day, see NASM D. H. 98 Mosquito).
Completed in April 1943 at the Baltimore factory a crew flew it to England. The AAF assigned it to the 449th Bombardment Squadron, 322nd Bombardment Group (nicknamed the 'Annihilators'), and gave the bomber the fuselage identification codes "PN-O."
Lt. James J. Farrell of Greenwich, Connecticut, flew more missions in "Flak-Bait" than any other pilot. He named the bomber after "Flea Bait," his brother's nickname for the family dog.
airandspace.si.edu
en.wikipedia.org
roncole.net
Parts of it still exists at the National Air and Space Museum
airandspace.si.edu
b-26mhs.org
At least the article itself, if some didn't actually read it, shows that the B-26 actually had the lowest loss rate in combat compared to other similar aircraft after upgrades to the early design and much better aircrew training.
Plus, it ignores the individual B-26 named "Flak Bait" survived an impressive 207 operational missions, the highest number for any American combat aircraft in the war.
The NASM B-26B-25-MA nicknamed "Flak-Bait" (AAF serial number 41-31773) survived 207 operational missions over Europe, more than any other American aircraft during World War II (A de Havilland Mosquito B. Mk. IX bomber completed 213 missions but this aircraft was destroyed in a crash at Calgary Airport in Canada, two days after V-E Day, see NASM D. H. 98 Mosquito).
Completed in April 1943 at the Baltimore factory a crew flew it to England. The AAF assigned it to the 449th Bombardment Squadron, 322nd Bombardment Group (nicknamed the 'Annihilators'), and gave the bomber the fuselage identification codes "PN-O."
Lt. James J. Farrell of Greenwich, Connecticut, flew more missions in "Flak-Bait" than any other pilot. He named the bomber after "Flea Bait," his brother's nickname for the family dog.
Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder "Flak-Bait" | National Air and Space Museum
Flak-Bait - Wikipedia
B-26 Marauder 'Flak Bait', by Ron Cole
B-26 Marauder 'Flak Bait' by aviation artist Ron Cole for sale at Cole's Aircraft
roncole.net
Parts of it still exists at the National Air and Space Museum
Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder "Flak-Bait" | National Air and Space Museum
B-26 MARAUDER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
b-26mhs.org
Talyn
SAINT
Talyn
SAINT
But it took a Montana pilot to handle one of those difficult early B-26s, Suzy-Q, during the Battle Of Midway.
theaviationgeekclub.com
The crew of the U.S. Army Air Forces Martin B-26 Marauder (s/n 40-1391, “Susie-Q”) from the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), 22nd Bomb Group, which made torpedo-attack on the Japanese carriers in the early morning of Jun. 4, 1942 during the Battle of Midway: Pilot Lt. James P. Muri (second from left, front row), co-pilot Lt. Pren L. Moore, navigator Lt. William W. Moore, bombardier Lt. Russell Johnson, gunners S/Sgt. John J. Gogoj, Cpl. Frank L. Melo Jr, and Pfc. Earl D. Ashley 1st.
The plane had more than 500 bullet holes when it landed at Midway and was written off. The crew was allowed to cut out the nose-art “Susie-Q” before the plane was dumped at sea.
pacificwrecks.com
James P. Muri
During the Battle of Midway a USAAF B-26 Marauder pilot buzzed the flight deck of Japanese Aircraft Carrier Akagi to save his crew
During the Battle of Midway a USAAF B-26 Marauder pilot buzzed the flight deck of Japanese Aircraft Carrier Akagi to save his crew
theaviationgeekclub.com
The crew of the U.S. Army Air Forces Martin B-26 Marauder (s/n 40-1391, “Susie-Q”) from the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), 22nd Bomb Group, which made torpedo-attack on the Japanese carriers in the early morning of Jun. 4, 1942 during the Battle of Midway: Pilot Lt. James P. Muri (second from left, front row), co-pilot Lt. Pren L. Moore, navigator Lt. William W. Moore, bombardier Lt. Russell Johnson, gunners S/Sgt. John J. Gogoj, Cpl. Frank L. Melo Jr, and Pfc. Earl D. Ashley 1st.
The plane had more than 500 bullet holes when it landed at Midway and was written off. The crew was allowed to cut out the nose-art “Susie-Q” before the plane was dumped at sea.
Pacific Wrecks
World War II Allied and Japanese aircraft that served in the Pacific War.
James P. Muri
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Talyn
SAINT
Bonus - The Japanese Story of the Battle of Midway
Talyn
SAINT
The Midway Marauders
Two B 26 Marauders of the 69th Bombardment Squadron ( Medium ) / 38th Bombardment Group and two from the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron ( Medium ) / 22nd Bombardment Group, attack the Kido Butai at about 0710 June 4, 1942, using torpedoes instead of their normal bomb load. Two Zeroes of a group of six from the CAP slice through the diamond formation at 700 ft., as the Marauders start a quick descent to 200 ft. TBF Avengers of Torpedo 8 (Detachment) have started an attack just ahead. This is the moment when the formation started to break up.
Two B 26 Marauders of the 69th Bombardment Squadron ( Medium ) / 38th Bombardment Group and two from the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron ( Medium ) / 22nd Bombardment Group, attack the Kido Butai at about 0710 June 4, 1942, using torpedoes instead of their normal bomb load. Two Zeroes of a group of six from the CAP slice through the diamond formation at 700 ft., as the Marauders start a quick descent to 200 ft. TBF Avengers of Torpedo 8 (Detachment) have started an attack just ahead. This is the moment when the formation started to break up.
Talyn
SAINT
Some great WW2 Aviation Art Work...
Aviation Wall Art for Sale by Robert D Perry
Shop for aviation wall art from Robert D Perry. All aviation artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Choose your favorite aviation designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more!
4-robert-perry.pixels.com
Talyn
SAINT
More J.P. Muri
June 4, 1942, 7:10 a.m., 150 miles northwest of Midway Atoll . . . Moments after releasing a torpedo at the Japanese carrier Akagi, the B-26 Marauder “Susie-Q” thunders down the carrier’s flight deck, nearly grazing the bridge.
Lt. James P. Muri, of the Army Air Force’s 22nd Bomb Group, pilots his craft across the ship in an attempt to escape the gauntlet of fire unleashed by the enemy surface fleet and swarming Zero fighters.
The dramatic torpedo attack by Army B-26 Marauders of the 22nd and 38th Bomb Groups and the Navy TBF Avengers of Torpedo Squadron 8 forced Japanese Admiral Nagumo to alter his battle plan, a decision that set the stage for the incredible American victory at the Battle of Midway.
www.valorstudios.com
June 4, 1942, 7:10 a.m., 150 miles northwest of Midway Atoll . . . Moments after releasing a torpedo at the Japanese carrier Akagi, the B-26 Marauder “Susie-Q” thunders down the carrier’s flight deck, nearly grazing the bridge.
Lt. James P. Muri, of the Army Air Force’s 22nd Bomb Group, pilots his craft across the ship in an attempt to escape the gauntlet of fire unleashed by the enemy surface fleet and swarming Zero fighters.
The dramatic torpedo attack by Army B-26 Marauders of the 22nd and 38th Bomb Groups and the Navy TBF Avengers of Torpedo Squadron 8 forced Japanese Admiral Nagumo to alter his battle plan, a decision that set the stage for the incredible American victory at the Battle of Midway.
A Shot Across the Bow by Roy Grinnell
This aviation art print shows the B-26 Marauders at the Battle of Midway. Prints are autographed by B-26 pilot James Muri, who attacked the carrier Akagi.
www.valorstudios.com
