![]() ![]() The first B-26, with Martin test pilot William K. The wings were of low aspect ratio and relatively small in area for an aircraft of its weight, giving the required high performance, but also resulting in a wing loading of 53 lb/sq ft (260 kg/m 2) for the initial versions, which at the time was the highest of any aircraft accepted for service by the USAAC, until the introduction of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, with the then-astonishing wing loading of 69.12 lb/sq ft (337.5 kg/m 2) (although both would be considered lightly loaded by the standard of combat aircraft of the next decade). The engines were manufactured at the Ford Dearborn Engine plant in Dearborn, Michigan. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines in nacelles slung under the wing, driving four-bladed propellers. Two bomb bays were fitted midfuselage, capable of carrying 5,800 lb (2,600 kg) of bombs, although in practice such a bomb load reduced range too much, and the aft bomb bay was usually fitted with additional fuel tanks instead of bombs. 30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun was fitted in the tail. 50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns (the first powered dorsal turret to be fitted to a U.S. A gunner manned a dorsal turret armed with two. ![]() ![]() 30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun, a pilot and co-pilot sitting side by side, with positions for the radio operator and navigator behind the pilots. It had a streamlined, circular-section fuselage housing the crew, consisting of a bombardier in the nose, armed with a. The B-26 was a shoulder-winged monoplane of all-metal construction, fitted with a tricycle landing gear. Ĭloseup view of a Martin B-26B Marauder in flight Additional orders for a further 930 B-26s followed in September 1940, still prior to the first flight of the type. The B-26 went from paper concept to an operational bomber in approximately two years. Martin's design was evaluated as superior to the other proposals and was awarded a contract for 201 aircraft, to be designated B-26. Magruder, to meet the requirement, the Martin Model 179. ![]() Martin Company submitted its design, produced by a team led by Peyton M. In March 1939, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) issued Circular Proposal 39-640, a specification for a twin-engined medium bomber with a maximum speed of 350 mph (560 km/h), a range of 3,000 mi (4,800 km), and a bomb load of 2,000 lb (910 kg). After the Marauder was retired, the unrelated Douglas A-26 Invader then assumed the "B-26" designation, which led to confusion between the two aircraft. By the time the United States Air Force was created as an independent military service separate from the United States Army in 1947, all Martin B-26s had been retired from U.S. In total, 5,288 were produced between February 1941 and March 1945 522 of these were flown by the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force. The Marauder ended World War II with the lowest loss rate of any U.S. The B-26 became a safer aircraft once crews were retrained, and after aerodynamics modifications (an increase of wingspan and wing angle-of-incidence to give better takeoff performance, and a larger vertical stabilizer and rudder). The unusually high 150 mph (241 km/h) speed on short final runway approach was intimidating to many pilots who were used to much slower approach speeds, and when they slowed to speeds below those stipulated in the manual, the aircraft would often stall and crash. This was because the Marauder had to be flown at precise airspeeds, particularly on final runway approach or when one engine was out. Martin Company.įirst used in the Pacific Theater of World War II in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe.Īfter entering service with the United States Army aviation units, the aircraft quickly received the reputation of a " widowmaker" due to the early models' high accident rate during takeoffs and landings. The B-26 was built at two locations: Baltimore, Maryland, and Omaha, Nebraska, by the Glenn L. The Martin B-26 Marauder is an American twin-engined medium bomber that saw extensive service during World War II. Army Air Forces recruiting poster featuring B-26 Marauders. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |