The B-26 Marauder

The 320th Bomb Group (medium) flew the Martin B-26 Marauder. At the height of the war against Nazi Germany, it was the most important American medium bomber in the MTO as well as the ETO. It had a reputation as a "hot" plane in combat, but was an unforgiving could be a handful for the unwary pilot. Indeed, in its early days "Widow Maker" was one of the least unpleasant names bestowed on it, and its continued production was in jeopardy at least four times. It had its faults, but in the hands of an experienced pilot was, as it later proved successfully, an excellent weapon, and by the end of the war in Europe Marauders had a lower attrition rate than any other U.S. aircraft.

Brief Technical Details

• Engines: Two 1,920 h.p. Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 Double Wasp radials.
• Span: 71 ft. 0 in.
• Length: 56 ft. 1 in.
• Height: 20 ft. 4 in.
• Weight Empty: 25,300 lb.
• Weight Loaded 38,200 lb.
• Number of crew: seven
• Maximum Speed: 283 m.p.h.
• Ceiling: 19,800 feet
• Normal Range: 1,100 miles
• Armament: Eleven .50 machine guns; upto 4,000 lb. of bombs.