Army air forces b26b marauder with dday invasion stripes. Mild and bitter, flak bait and the other eto 100mission b26. Flak bait is a martin b 26 marauder aircraft that holds the record within the united states army air forces for the number of bombing missions survived during world war ii. Though bullets and shell fragments riddled the aircraft, ground crews repeatedly put the b26 back in the air. I will periodically put up more info on the b 26 as i gather information on as many aspects as i can on the aircraft. Army air forces saved it from destruction after the war. This is a truly historic moment as this b26 marauder is going through a restoration phase. B26 flak bait, which flew 207 missions in wwii, is finally being.
The hill aerospace museum in utah also has some major b26 components. Manufactured in baltimore, maryland as a b 26b 25ma, by martin, it was completed in april 1943 and christened flak bait by its first assigned pilot, james j. It replaced the b26 and b 26a single handheld guns. With flakbait front fuselage, conservation team members from left, jeremy kinney, lauren horelick, pat robinson and chris moore. The aircraft was designed with speed from the outset and, as such, a few problems emerged from that approach. A b 26 marauders, serial number 41773 nicknamed flak bait and pnx, serial number 4334371 of the 322nd bomb group in flight. The bomber and its crew survived 207 operational missionsmore than any other u. The b 26 marauder was a world war ii twinengine medium bomber built by the glenn l. Jun 05, 2019 the martin b 26 marauder overcame a rocky start to become one of the finest medium bombers of world war 2.
Manufactured in baltimore, maryland as a b 26b 25ma, by martin, it was completed in april, 1943 and christened flak bait. Martin b 26b 25ma marauder flak bait undergoing restoration at the mary baker engen restoration hangar, steven f. Flak bait promodeler rereleases the marauder by michael a. It was the marauder model that was built in large numbers. This world war ii bomber took more enemy fire than most. Martin b26b25ma marauder flakbait national air and. Nineteen were delivered to the royal air forces as the marauder mk. This painting shows the b 26 flak bait pulling up and away after making an attack run on a german v1 launching site. Flak bait, a b 26 serial number 41773 of the 449th squadron of the 322nd bombardment group was the first allied bomber in the eto to fly 200 combat sorties. As promised here are some more pics of my recent build of hasegawas 172nd scale b 26c marauder finished to represent flak bait a big thank you to everyone who helped me out answering my many qustions with which i would not have been able to. Museum specialists prepare the martin b26b marauder flakbaits forward fuselage for removal from the world war ii gallery in the museum in washington, dc.
Martin companys baltimore, maryland factory and was completed in. The martin b26 marauder flakbait survived two years of the most intense aerial combat of world war ii, taking every punch german gunners and fighter pilots threw at it. The signatures on the aircraft were written when flak bait was awaiting shipment home. The martin b 26 marauder overcame a rocky start to become one of the finest medium bombers of world war 2.
At23a or tb 26b 208 b 26bs converted into target tugs and gunnery trainers designated jm. World war ii bomber flakbait is being brought back to. Finally, there is flakbait, the b26b25ma that rolled out of martins plant 2 in middle river, maryland, in april 1943. Dynam 1500mm b 26 marauder pnp the martin b 26 marauder was one of the most successful allied bombers of world war ii. It flew more missions than any other american plane in the conflict.
Martin company in middle river, maryland just east of baltimore from 1941 to 1945. This record is even more enviable if one considers that it was achieved by an aircraft that in the initial stages of its career, was not liked by its crews, because its excellent performance made it difficult to fly. I was horrified because of all the bad stories i had heard about the b 26 marauder. Our highquality marauder shirts are available in multiple sizes and body styles. Eventually, the rear bomb bay racks were discontinued altogether. Note that in both the period photo and the shot of flak bait the interior of the fuselage is almost completely bare metal. Flakbait b26 marauder for cfs3 aircraft fly away simulation. The nasm b26b25ma nicknamed flakbait aaf serial number 41773 survived 206 operational missions over europe, more than any other american. Mastercraft collection martin b26bc marauder flak bait.
With 202 operational sorties to its credit, this medium bomber had the longest and most colorful combat history of any aircraft in the museum. Havener, p7 flak bait leading the 322nd bomb group on her 200th mission, 17 april 1945. The martin b 26 marauder flak bait survived two years of the most intense aerial combat of world war ii, taking every punch german gunners and fighter pilots threw at it. At first it differed from earlier versions in having more powerful engines and increased armament, but starting with the 642nd aircraft it was also given longer wings and larger tail fin in an attempt to make it easier for inexperienced pilots to fly. The difference between the b 26b from the earlier versions of the marauder aircrafts is the two. The b 26b was the version of the marauder that was built in the greatest quantity.
See more ideas about the marauders, fighter jets and ww2 aircraft. Baltimore, maryland, and omaha, nebraska, by the glenn l. It will join the rest of the aircraft and be preserved at the mary baker engen restoration hangar at the udvarhazy center in va. Team leader pat robinson, museum specialist chris moore. With these and other improvements added to the b 26b, the marauder would suffer the lowest bomber attrition rates of the war. Army, the aircraft received the reputation of a widowmaker due to the early models high rate of accidents during takeoff and landings. The b 26b marauder flak bait a19600297000, survived 207 operational missions over europe, more than any other american aircraft during world war ii. The original paint is still bright, but more than a thousand patched flak holes bear witness to the fact that this famous marauder was indeed appropriately named. Nasm was reported to have the rest of the airframe in storage at silver hill facility. However, in its early days the marauder acquired a reputation as a widow maker that it never managed to quite live down. But what made this day special for flak bait was the number of missions. As promised here are some more pics of my recent build of hasegawas 172nd scale b 26c marauder finished to represent flak bait a big thank you to everyone who helped me out answering my many qustions with which i would not have been able to get this labor of love off the bench and on the dispay table. Early models of the b 26 had two separate bomb bays, but the rear one was only used infrequently for light loads in the south pacific.
Hasegawa b26b marauder flak bait hyperscale forums. B 26b model with further improvements on the b 26a, including revised tail gunners glazing. Mar 24, 2015 this riveted patch, from the left side of the center fuselage section, shows the size of the holes found on flak bait. I was horrified because of all the bad stories i had heard about the b26 marauder. Jul 19, 2014 as stated earlier, here are the pictured of my build of the old 148 scale monogram b 26b marauder kit, flak bait. Flakbait is a martin b26 marauder aircraft that holds the record within the united states army air forces for the number of bombing missions survived during. Because flak bait is one of the most iconic and recognized bombers of all time. Buy a marauder tshirt today, and it ships within 24 hours and comes with a 30day moneyback guarantee. As promised here are some more pics of my recent build of hasegawas 172nd scale b 26b kit is a c model but flak bait was a b model marauder finished to represent flak bait a big thank you to everyone who helped me out answering my many qustions with which i would not have been able to get this labor of love off the bench and on the dispay table.
A crew of a b 26 marauder of the 322nd bomb group in the cockpit of the aircraft. Martin b 26b 55ma marauder flak bait, 449th bombardment squadron, 322nd bombardment group, 9th air force, united states army air force, europe 194445. I had an opportunity to photograph the restoration work being done to the very special b26 flak bait at the udvarhazy facility during our trip to washington dc for the 447th bg reunion. After entering service with the united states army aviation units, the aircraft quickly received the reputation of a widowmaker due to th. Despite its reputation as a death trap, many pilots found the b 26 to be a reliable aircraft.
The service life of a typical b 26 marauder was between 15 and 20 missions, on average. Martin b26 marauder twinengine medium bomber aircraft. The front section of the martin b26b25ma marauder flakbait, being restored at the udvarhazy center in january, 2020, was formerly on. Buy b 26 marauder framed prints from our community of independent artists and iconic brands. Martin company rolled the b 26b marauder that would soon be dubbed flak bait off the baltimore production line on april 26, 1943. In 1939, the martin b 26 marauder was built in parallel with north american b 25 mitchell, however while the b 25 was a docile handling airplane, the b 26 was nothing of the kind.
Flakbaitflown often by sherman bests crewcompleted 207 combat missions in europe, more than any other american aircraft. Despite its reputation as a death trap, many pilots found the b26 to be a reliable aircraft. After a challenging introduction, the b 26 eventually became beloved for its exceptional durability and excellent medium bomber capabilities. Army air forces b 26b marauder with dday invasion stripes. The martin b 26b marauder flak bait has the distinction of having flown more missions 202 than any other allied aircraft of world war two. Involvement with flak bait, either as air crew or ground crew personnel. Hasegawa b26c marauder flak bait props arc discussion. Monogram 148 b26b marauder flak bait finescale modeler. The martin b26 marauder was an american twinengined medium bomber that saw extensive service during world war ii. The national air and space museum is embarking on the preservation of one of its signature artifacts, the martin b26b25ma marauder flakbait. The martin b 26 marauder is an american twinengined medium bomber built by the glenn l. The martin b26 marauder flakbait flew more missions than any other american combat aircraft in world war ii.
Restoring the iconic b26 flak bait war history online. Full stencil data is included and a clear diagram showing where each tiny item goes. Manufactured in baltimore, maryland as a b26b25ma, by martin, it was completed in april 1943 and christened flakbait by its first assigned pilot. Jan 04, 2018 during wwii, b 26s dropped thousands of bombs. One of those aircraft survived more missions and dropped more bombs than any other. This was the 200th for the b 26b 25ma, manufactured by martin in 1943. Last night, we removed the forward fuselage of the martin b26 flakbait from its current location in the world war ii aviation gallery at the museum in dc.
Martin b 26b marauder designed to meet a us army air corps specification for a twinengined medium bomber, the b 26 marauder was first flown on november 25, 1940. B 26b marauder model 179b flak bait, circa 19431945. Martin b 26b marauder 41773 flak bait flew 207 operational missions over europe with the 322nd bg, this is more than any other us aircraft in ww2. Choose from thousands of marauder shirt designs for men, women, and children which have been created by our community of independent artists and iconic brands. See more ideas about the marauders, nose art and ww2 aircraft. Martin b26b25ma marauder flakbait in the mary baker engen restoration hangar, march 2015. It was built for speed and was a highly strung, unforgiving airplane, that needed to be tamed by the most experienced pilots. The marauder above is the most famous of the surviving b26s of world war ii. View of crew members from the 449th bombardment squadron, 322nd bombardment group posed in front of martin glenn l.
Martin b26b marauder flakbait patrick robinson, mary baker engen restoration hangar staff member, and aeronautics curator jeremy kinney prepare the nose of the martin b26b marauder flakbait for its move to the national air and space museums steven f. Martin b26 marauder page 5 aircraft of world war ii. This is an entry for the flickr lego military groups 2009 build contest in the model wwii aircraft category. Glenn martin himself saved the forward fuselage section of the most famous b26, flak bait a b26b with over 200 missions. B 26b flak bait a group of from the bomb squadron, bomb group, air force being led by flak bait, a serial number flak bait was the first allied bomber to complete 200 sorties. What is greatest number of ww2 bomber missions by a crew. Ix bomber completed 2 missions but this aircraft was destroyed in a crash at calgary airport in canada, two days after ve day, see. The martin b26 marauder flakbait survived two years of the most intense aerial combat of world war ii, taking every punch german gunners and fighter pilots. Flak bait was a martin b 26 marauder aircraft that holds the record within the united states army air forces for the number of bombing missions survived during world war ii.
And ingame texture should depict that very special model. Udvarhazy center, national air and space museum via en. The martin b 26 marauder page contains all related products, articles, books, walkarounds and plastic scale modeling projects dedicated to this aircraft. B 26b 25ma serial number 41773 was completed off of the assembly line in late april 1943. Its nose section is now on display at the national air and space museum in washington.
The martin b26b marauder flakbait during ww2 youtube. With flakbait front fuselage, conservation team members from left, jeremy. Thats the challenge staff at the smithsonians national air and space museum now face while resurrecting flakbait, a martin b26 marauder in the mary baker engen restoration hanger at the steven f. Flakbait is a martin b26 marauder aircraft that holds the record within the united states army air forces for the number of bombing missions survived during world war ii. Flying and fighting in the b26 marauder defense media. Conservator sharon norquest works on the martin b26b25ma marauder flakbait in the mary baker engen restoration hangar. Today, the artifact still bears the patched holes from combat damage, chipped paint, dents, and the wear and tear of a true survivor of the air. Heres the waist section of the b 26b flak bait currently in storage at the smithsonian. The airplane was a celebrity, and gis and civilians alike had their pictures taken with it, signing their names on its battleweary frame. The objects on the floor are parts of the wing leading edgesthere are a number of parts stored in the fuselage. There are only 3 airworthy b26s in the world as of this writing, with. Flak bait flew no less than 202 combat missions and is now on display in the national air and space museum in washington d. The martin b 26b marauder flak bait flew more missions over europe than any other american airplane of world war ii. The 322nd bombardment squadron medium was activated on 19jun1942 at macdill field, florida with b26b marauder aircraft.
The different schemes are shown on a high quality colour foldout sheet. The aircraft was sonamed because of the more than 2,000 flak hits received during its mission lifetime. The first allied bomber to carry out 200 combat missions was a 9th air force b 26b christened flak bait. Martin b26b25ma marauder flakbait national air and space. Wolf history the martin b26b marauder flak bait has the distinction of having flown more missions 202 than any other allied aircraft of world war two. Our b 26 marauder framed art prints ship within 48 hours, arrive readytohang, and include a 30day moneyback guarantee. Resurrecting flakbait, a martin b26 marauder a true. Martin b 26b 55ma marauder flak bait, 449th bombardment squadron, 322nd bombardment group, 9th air force, united stated army air force, europe, 194445 construction and painting required.
Flak bait one of the most significant aircraft during the course of wwii is a martin b 26b 25ma marauder known as flak bait. Flak bait was damaged in battle over times while flying an amazing 202 combat missions. Though bullets and shell fragments riddled the aircraft, ground crews repeatedly put the b 26 back in the air. This is just going to be a thread to the sole purpose of collecting and putting up information on the martin b 26 marauder. The second marauder to reach this landmark after mild and bitter was the 323rds b26c10 44863, named bingo buster. Flying and fighting in the b26 marauder defense media network. The author concludes with a summary detailing the aircrafts unfortunate fate as scrap metal mere days after the war ended.
Today she is undergoing conservation at the national air and space museum, smithsonian institution, udvarhazy center, virginia usa and will eventually be reassembled and placed on display. Flak bait flew with the 322 nd bombardment group of the 9 th air force. Monogram b26 marauder 148 props arc discussion forums. Curator jeremy kinney shares the history of the martin b26b25ma marauder flakbait. Ix bomber completed 2 missions but this aircraft was destroyed in a crash at calgary airport in canada, two days after ve day, see nasm d. This record is even more enviable if one considers that it was achieved by an aircraft that in the initial stages of its career, was not liked by its crews, because. Team leader pat robinson, museum specialist chris moore, and conservators lauren horelick and malcolm collum are analyzing paint composition, stabilizing. The martin b 26b was the most numerous version of the marauder. Starting with the b 26b block 10, the aircrafts wingspan was increased by six feet, additional flaps were added outboard of the engine nacelles, and a taller tail was added to improve singleengine controllability. Behind the scenes with flakbait ask an expert live youtube. The medium bomber workhorse of the ninth air force, the muchmaligned b26 marauder, recovered from its poor start with the eighth air. Jun 19, 2014 the museums martin b26b25ma marauder flakbait and its crews survived 207 operational missions over europe, more than any other american aircraft during world war ii. The front section of the martin b 26b 25ma marauder flak bait, being restored at the udvarhazy center in january, 2020, was formerly on display in the world war ii section of the smithsonians.
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