| General
History
The
Marauder was designed to meet the US Army Air Corps demand
for a high-speed medium bomber. Martin’s proposal
was considered to be so far in advance of other proposals
that the company was awarded an “off the drawing
board” contract for 201 aircraft in 1939. The first
production B-26 flew by years end. Testing confirmed that
performance had been achieved, but at the expense of low-speed
handling characteristics. Training accidents multiplied
and an investigation was set up to consider whether or
not to stop production. It was decided to introduce modifications
that would improve its slow-speed handling qualities.
Later aircraft were built with longer wings, a lengthened
fuselage and larger vertical fin and rudder. B-26’s
saw combat in the South Pacific as well as in North Africa.
Over 5,000 Marauders were built and it went on to have
the lowest combat attrition rate of any American aircraft
in the 9th Air Force.
To
learn about the personal history of our very own Martin
B-26 Marauder as well as comments from Kermit Weeks, please
visit our beautiful art deco facility and old-fashioned
hangars.
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Current
Value: $1,700,000
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