The Martin B-26 Marauder is an American twin-engined medium bomber that saw extensive service during World War II. The B-26 was built at two locations: Baltimore, Maryland, and Omaha, Nebraska, by the Glenn L. Martin Company.

The Douglas A-26 Invader (designated B-26 between 1948 and 1965) is an American twin-engined light bomber and ground attack aircraft. Built by Douglas Aircraft Company during World War II, the Invader also saw service during several major Cold War conflicts.

Primarily used in Europe, it became the most important USAAF medium bomber in the European theatre. Despite initial criticism and calls to remove it from service, the Marauder proved itself by 1944 as the bomber with the lowest loss rate among American aircraft in Europe, with a loss rate under half a percent.

Bombing from medium altitudes of 10,000 to 15,000 feet, the Marauder had the lowest loss rate of any Allied bomber -- less than one-half of one percent. U.S., British, Free French, Australian, South African and Canadian aircrews all flew the B-26 in combat.

Of all the better-known Allied aircraft of World War II, the most controversial was Martin’s B-26 Marauder, a twin-engine cigar-shaped medium bomber that was loved by some and hated by many.

At 56 lbs/ft 2, it had the highest wing loading of any American World War II airplane—40% higher than that of the B-25. 1 While such wing loading is now considered the industry standard, World War II aircraft lacked the sophisticated automatic braking and propeller feathering systems currently available today, thereby making accidents more likely.

B26.COM is dedicated to Martin B-26 Marauder Men who fought in World War II. Personal accounts, photos of crews and planes, and related information. The first Martin B-26 Marauder mission flown was by the 22nd Bomb Group on April 5, 1942.

It was designed by the Glenn L. Martin Company Aviation in response to a January 1939 Army Air Forces requirement calling for a fast heavily-armed medium bomber; the result was an exceptionally clean design with a high wing, a torpedo-shaped fuselage, conventional tail surfaces, and tricycle landing gear.

From September to December 1943, a total of 225 x B-26 Marauders were scheduled for delivery to the US Navy for use as high speed target towing and utility aircraft. These consisted of 200 x AT-23B-MO models, and an additional 25 x converted from the B-26C-45-MO production run from the line at the Glenn L Martin Omaha plant.

Jul 19, 2023 · Initially, the B-26 Marauder was an accident-prone aircraft. At MacDill Field, Florida, 15 crashed over the course of 30 days. This led to the saying, “One a day in Tampa Bay.” In addition to the crashes at MacDill, another 13 B-26s crashed in …