Just as a matter of clarification, during World War II the U.S. Army Air Force designated the Martin "Marauder" medium bomber "B-26" (B for Bomber), while the Douglas "Invader" was designated "A-26" (A for Attack). Among the changes made when the U.S. Air Force was created as an independent service in 1947 was that the "A" for "Attack" designation was abolished. By that time all the Martin Marauders had been retired, and the designation for the Douglas "Invader" was changed from "A-26" to "B-26". The Douglas "Invader" remained in service for many years thereafter, during the 1950s and even into the 1960s, under the designation "B-26".
Klaatu83, e-mail, 20.04.2013 03:59
Early on, the B-26 was widely known among it's crews as the "Widow-maker" because of the number that crashed in training accidents, and "The Baltimore Whore" because the wings were so small that "the airplane had no visible means of support". However, later on, after the bugs of the initial versions had been worked out, the B-26 had the lowest combat loss rate of any medium bomber.
Bill Arehart, e-mail, 11.04.2013 18:30
Does anyone remember a B-26 sitting out along the road at the Douglas plant in Tulsa.The story was it was new and had been sitting there since the war ended.I saw it probably 1959 or 60.I,m not even sure it was a b-26 but am curious to know more about it.
Stan Hunt, e-mail, 23.03.2013 10:47
My uncle, Hurst Sears, was a top gunner on the B-26 "Bird Legs" flying out of England (I don't know which base) in 1943 and 44. They crashlanded two planes coming in after completing missions, one in England and one on Occupied France after the Allies had taken that territory. So they ended 65 missions in Bird Legs III. He described it as a flying brick, it had a glide range like a rock...if one engine went out, get out fast because it was going down. He was proud of the crew and the plane though, leaving the military at the end of the war as a Staff Sgt. He talked of debriefings at the end of the flights and they would be handed a bottle of Scotch to take a good swig to calm their hands from shaking so bad just before the debriefings. He passed away a few years ago. I don't remember him having bad dreams about the war but it did mess up his life, he had a bad time with gambling after he came back home, but he still lived to be in his upper 80's. He spent most of his life in Alaska, he loved fishing and hunting. He could talk about it but he said that those that the best way to look at their life during WWII was that they were'nt going to make it, and accept that, and don't worry about it. On lots of missions the planes shot down were so numerable that your time to be shot down was just too high in probablilities. Maybe the probablities of being shot down on each mission were matched in the probabilities in his later gambling....I don't know.
Walt Gunkel, e-mail, 12.10.2012 03:59
I flew 76 combat missions as a pilot of B26s stationed near Earl's Colne,England. I recall signing for our plane -stated value $187,000. We left Barksdale about May 1943. We flew to Scotland via the Northern route. At the fueling stop in Greenland we learned that all B26's had been grounded because of 100% losses on 1st mission. Future missions despite no heat or oxygen would be flown at 8-12K ft. I lost 3 of our crew of 6 when they filled in other crews. Our 1st Dday bomb run was at 3000 ft. Exciting!
Marty, e-mail, 25.05.2012 18:30
Another page starting to load up with garbage from scumbag con artists
shel, e-mail, 18.10.2011 11:18
My uncle, Al Kramer was a S/Sgt, USAAF, in WWII. He inspected and certified the B-26s that were modified with longer wings and other changes to improve flight safety.
One Marauder's wings were out of spec. My uncle said he measured the distance from the wing tips to the ground and this plane had almost a foot difference. He refused to certify the plane.
The base CO ordered my uncle to certify the plane. (I suppose the CO had some quota of planes to accept) My uncle again refused. The CO, himself, signed off on the certification and ordered the plane to fly to its assigned base. The Marauder crashed on takeoff. My uncle was transferred off that base to another station the same day...before the IG could make an investigation, I suppose.
Jim Upper, e-mail, 04.09.2011 22:30
My father, Mayo Reece, was a pilot of a tb-26 towing targets in Norfolk, VA in May, 1945 when his plane crashed into water at Cape Charles. Only the tow reel operator survived. Would anyone know anything about this crash or about the survivor, S/Sgt Michael Matyola.
coburn webb, e-mail, 08.06.2011 21:59
I flew these beautiful airplanes at Del Rio Lawson field 44b and a buddy of mine went on to Tampa and flew them and he said that after the one a day in tampa bay that several pilots dropped off their wings in a bucket at headquaraters. There were one a day that went in the bay. Prop problems mainly
Pete Smith, e-mail, 11.05.2011 20:22
A retired BGen was at Tampa, Fl, where B-26 training occurred. He told me their motto was:"One a day in Tampa Bay!". Anyone else heard that?
Pete Smith, e-mail, 11.05.2011 20:21
A retired BGen was at Tampa, Fl, where B-26 training occurred. He told me their motto was:"One a day in Tampa Bay!". Anyone else heard that?
a.casais, e-mail, 19.11.2010 21:29
Sorry, before i said the B-26 intruder, but i talked about the "B-26 invader" much better plane and very versatile.
a.casais, e-mail, 19.11.2010 21:20
I wrote before in the A-26 intruder, thinking that was the real "Widowmaker", but not the B-26 Marauder is the one. In here i heard many good things about, myself ear others thing no too good about it.
a.casais, e-mail, 19.11.2010 21:19
I wrote before in the A-26 intruder, thinking that was the real "Widowmaker", but not the B-26 Marauder is the one. In here i heard many good things about, myself ear others thing no too good about it.
John Smith, e-mail, 08.11.2010 18:24
I kept a log of my combat flights, interested?
Nick Hagley, e-mail, 27.10.2010 15:53
Hi Does anyone have any information on two B26 Marauders that collided over battle East Sussex England on the 6 June 1944 they were 42-96249 the Pilot was Thomas F Jenkins and 42-107592 "Stinky" whose Pilot was Tommie Potts who was the only survivor photos of plane and crews would be welcome. Any photos of the nose art "Stinky" on 42-107592 would be great or does anyone remember flying either of these aircraft on other missons. Please get in touch Regards Nick.
Mike Smith, e-mail, 30.09.2010 22:59
B26.COM is dedicated to Martin B-26 Marauder Men who fought in World War 2. Personal accounts, photos of crews and planes, and related information.
William (Bill) Felton, e-mail, 30.09.2010 04:16
My Dad was a B-26 pilot in WWII, I have some outstanding photos that he took during the war from his plane over Europe. Fabulous pictures of B26's in formation, dropping bombs etc. I would be more than happy to share them with anyone interested. I just found this website. I will post my Dad's squadron etc. when I get his records out of storage.
jim stone, e-mail, 06.09.2010 04:49
i spent one tour in the 131st.air national gaurd unit in st. louis mo. in the early 50's . we had B 26's and 25's i was in the air police. while gaurding radio equiptment i got to watch them straff and skip bomb. they were somthing in there day.
JOHN HAGAMAN, e-mail, 02.08.2010 19:39
I WAS AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT OF B-25'S NCLUDING THE G MODEL WITH THE 75MM CANNON IN THE NOSE WHILE AT COLUMBIA,IA S.C. LOGGED IN OVER 2OOO HOURS...THEN WENT TO ENGLAND WHERE I MET MY FIRST B-26 (CALLED THE FLYING PROSTITUTE-)..QUTE A BIT OF A CHANGE---THE B-25 WAS LIKE A BABY CARRIAGE BY COMPARISON---BUT AS SOME NOTED---I WOULD NOT BE TYPING THIS IF I HAD BEEN FLYING B-25'S---THEY JUST COULD NOT HAVE TAKEN THE PUNISHMENT WITH ALL THAT FLAK WE ENCOUNTERED---MANY HOLES AND BROKEN PLEXIGLAS--THOSE BIG ENGINES STICKING OUT IN FRONT WERE GREAT PROTECTION-- ...HAD 23 MISSIONS OUT OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE BEFORE THE FLAK TOOK IT'S TOLL--PURPLE HEART AND DFC---GREAT AIRPLANE----FINALLY ENDED THE WAR IN A-26'S...I THINK THAT A-26 HAD TO BE JUST LIKE THE B-25---HANDLED JUST LIKE A BABY CARRIAGE STILL ALL GREAT AIRCRAFT----
David J.MIller, e-mail, 12.04.2010 04:28
Following pilot training it was my hope to fly the A-20 but along with most of my graduating class we were assigned as co-pilot on the B-26. A plane which we had heard was having mechanical problems, run away props etc but these were resolved and became a plane worthy to be called the MARAUDER and established an outstanding WWII record. The Marauder Historical Society was formed to preserve the Historical Legacy of this aircraft. MHS Headquarters and the International Marauder Archives located in Tuscon, AZ. phone 520-322-5225 & try there MHS web site.
Zachary Rich, e-mail, 14.03.2010 20:54
My grandfather worked as a mechanic on three different Marauders during WW II, two of which were shot down. The Vega Bomber was the last one he worked on at the end of the war and I still have his photos of the proud bomber. He often told us of how badly mauled Marauders would co0me in and somehow they were still flying, it's amazing. They're the best medium bomber of the war in Europe.
Don Wilson, e-mail, 07.02.2010 01:47
I flew this great airplane from July '43 till November '45 as an instructor at Barksdale then as pilot with the 95th BS, 17 BG out of Dijon, France. During these 750 flight hours I never suffered a single engine from mechanical or enemy cause. Just a good stable airplane and I hated to see all of my group's planes flown to a pasture in Bavaria in the fall of '45, landed and air brakes pulled, and demo crews standing by to load and ignite explosives to destroy those beautiful aiplanes. We rode back to a bare ramp base at Schliesheim, Germany in open air 6x6's. What a sad day that was. Some of those planes had less than 100 hours flight time!!
sniper8_48@yahoo.com, e-mail, 29.07.2009 04:08
my dad was pilot of "booby trap" ETO 65 missions including 2 on d-day...i'm not sure I would be here if he went into combat in any other plane! Thanks to the crews (air & ground) for your service to our country & the world...
Joe Rico, e-mail, 21.12.2008 05:40
The last USAF Maurauder was indeed to test tri-cycle landing gear by the Air Force. My Dad flew with the 397th Bombardment Group as a tailgunner-armorer from 6 June 1944 to 10 March 1945.
Sgt.KAR98, 24.08.2008 07:09
Was this plane used in Europe too? (by USAF)
Jack Bornhoeft, e-mail, 14.08.2008 18:52
If I had been the pilot of any other aircraft flying in the flak we encountered, I wouldn't be here today to write this comment. Lost one engine twice and had to circle while the Group landed as the other aircraft were low on fuel. That is a statement that indicates the great design and the wonderful P&W R-2800 engines.
Dan Wenger, e-mail, 26.07.2008 20:54
Didn't the Air Force modify a B-26 to design the B-47 landing gear by installing main gear in the front and rear of the fuselage and wing tip gear on the wings? Seems I saw one of these at Wright Pat AFB.
George W. Parker, e-mail, 12.07.2008 23:22
The Marauder had a rough start, but ended WWII with the lowest loss record of any combat aircraft. I was in a B-26 squadron from November 1942 (Flying School 42-J), Lubbock,TX) until I left A-72 (Peronne, France) in June 1945. I was in a nite crash landing with #296188, July 7, 1944 in Normandy. A 2nd crash, 28 July 44 a RAF Rivenhall, Essex, England with B-26 #296093, was checking a new pilot out when the left tire blew with the nose wheel off the ground ready to fly. The gear collasped immediately, the four bladed prop hit the pavement and was knocked off to the left leaving a pipe stub squirting gas....crew of three jumped out unhurt; the acft burned to the ground. A third crash was not in a B-26. I loved that B-26. It was tough; could land it in a strong crosswind wihout difficulty. My baby was MO Mule II, #296152 (flew this new acft to England, Febuary 1944. Sgt Michael Garvie, crew chief was first to have fifty missions without an abort. #152 (596Sq/397thBG, ETO) crashed soon after take off at A-72 on April 6, 1945, with no survivors. I was then assigned as a Bomb Line Coordinator, 19th U.S. Army Tactical Corps, G-3. While an Observer in an L-4 Spotter acft on April 11, 1945, I was in a 3rd crash; the L-4 fell to the ground near Braunswick, Germany of its own accord, with both occupants unconccious. (see Joseph F. Gordon's book, Flying Low).
Alan Joseph Stewart, e-mail, 18.06.2008 09:27
LOWEST LOSS RATE OF ALL WWII BOMBERS-LESS THAN I/2 OF 1 PERCENT.
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