Martin B-26 Marauder
The Martin B-26 Marauder was an American twin-engine medium bomber used during World War II. Known for its speed and sleek design, the B-26 served in every theater of the war and gained a reputation for its effectiveness in low- and medium-altitude bombing missions. Despite a challenging early service record, it ultimately achieved one of the lowest loss rates of any Allied bomber.
Fact Sheet
| Role | Medium Bomber |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Glenn L. Martin Company |
| First Flight | November 25, 1940 |
| Service Entry | 1941 |
| Crew | 7 |
| Number Built | 5,288 |
Specifications (B-26B Model)
| Length | 58 ft 3 in (17.75 m) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 71 ft 0 in (21.64 m) |
| Height | 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m) |
| Wing Area | 658 sq ft (61.1 m²) |
| Empty Weight | 24,000 lb (10,886 kg) |
| Loaded Weight | 37,000 lb (16,783 kg) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 38,200 lb (17,327 kg) |
| Powerplant | 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 Double Wasp radial engines (2,000 hp each) |
| Max Speed | 282 mph (454 km/h) |
| Cruise Speed | 214 mph (344 km/h) |
| Range | 1,150 mi (1,850 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 21,700 ft (6,615 m) |
| Rate of Climb | 1,250 ft/min (6.4 m/s) |
Armament & Defensive Equipment
| Guns | Up to 12 × .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns |
|---|---|
| Bomb Load | Up to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) |
| Aiming Equipment | Norden bombsight for precision targeting |
Notable Features
- High speed and sleek, streamlined design
- Initially difficult to fly, later modifications improved handling
- Very low loss rate among Allied bombers in WWII
- Served in all major theaters, especially effective in Europe
- Used for bombing, reconnaissance, and torpedo missions
The Martin B-26 Marauder was a twin-engine medium bomber that saw extensive service during World War II. Despite a rocky and controversial start that earned it a reputation as a “widowmaker,” the B-26 went on to become one of the most successful and survivable bombers of the war, a testament to its robust design and the skill of its crews.
The “Widowmaker” Controversy
The B-26 was designed in response to a 1939 U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) specification for a fast medium bomber. The Glenn L. Martin Company’s design was sleek and highly aerodynamic, and it was so promising that the USAAC placed a large order without a prototype having even been built. However, its innovative design came with a major drawback: a very high wing loading due to its small wing area.
This design feature, which gave the B-26 its impressive speed, also required a high takeoff and landing speed. In the hands of inexperienced pilots, this often led to fatal accidents. New pilots, accustomed to much slower aircraft, would try to land the Marauder too slowly, causing it to stall and crash. The high accident rate during training led to the derogatory nicknames “The Widowmaker” and “Flying Coffin.”
The problem was so severe that it prompted an investigation by the Truman Committee in 1942. There were calls to scrap the program entirely, but Martin and the Army Air Forces were confident that the problems could be fixed.
The Turnaround: From Cursed to Combat-Proven
To address the Marauder’s flaws, a series of design modifications were implemented, primarily on the B-26B variant and later models:
- Increased Wingspan: The wings were lengthened by six feet and the wing angle-of-incidence was increased to improve takeoff and landing performance.
- Larger Tail: A larger vertical stabilizer and rudder were installed to improve the aircraft’s stability and control.
- Pilot Retraining: The Air Force instituted a rigorous retraining program to teach pilots how to handle the Marauder’s unique flight characteristics. Once crews were properly trained, they found the B-26 to be a highly responsive and capable aircraft.
These changes were a resounding success. Once in combat, the B-26 Marauder proved to be one of the toughest and most survivable bombers of the war, boasting the lowest loss rate of any American bomber in the European theater, with a combat loss rate of less than 0.5 percent per mission.
Operational History
The B-26 first saw combat in early 1942 in the Pacific theater, but its primary role was in Europe. As a medium bomber, it was used extensively in tactical bombing missions in Western Europe and the Mediterranean. B-26 squadrons played a crucial role in:
- Attacking Strategic Targets: Striking rail yards, bridges, and supply depots to disrupt German logistics.
- Softening German Defenses: In the lead-up to D-Day, Marauders pounded German fortifications and strongpoints along the French coast with a high degree of accuracy.
- Close Air Support: On and after D-Day, they provided crucial support to advancing ground troops, striking enemy positions just ahead of the front lines.
The B-26’s robust construction allowed it to absorb incredible amounts of battle damage and still return home, earning it a new reputation for durability among its crews.
Retirement
A total of 5,288 B-26 Marauders were built, but many were scrapped or retired shortly after the war. By 1948, the aircraft was completely withdrawn from U.S. service. The “B-26” designation was then transferred to the unrelated Douglas A-26 Invader, which led to confusion for decades. Due to the rapid post-war scrapping, very few Marauders survived, making them exceedingly rare today.
