USAAF 42-96268 Martin B-26F-1-MA Marauder

USAAF serial number S/N: 42-96268 Martin B-26F-1-MA Marauder

1942096268, 42-96268 Martin B-26F-1-MA Marauder Fate: Accident Unit: 387BG556BS Remarks: 387BG556BS (Chipping Ongar) - Tiger Tails Code:FW-H in accident Nov 25, 1944, Disposal: 25-Nov-44

(unnamed)
Martin B-26F-1-MA Marauder
Sn: 42-96268
Squadron Code: FW-H

First Sortie	Last Sortie	Total
6 Sep 44	25 Nov 44	22

Crew Chief: T/Sgt. George Anthony
Asst. Crew Chief: Cpl. Clinton I. Dean

While landing in the rain after an afternoon training hop on September 28, 1944 this aircraft, manned by Lt. Thompson's crew, drifted, or slid, off the right side of the runway. The aircraft's right main gear collapsed after becoming mired in the mud. The fuselage of the B-26 broke in three places as a result of the crash. Miraculously, the crew sustained only minor injuries. This was the second landing mishap for this crew within a two month period.

The B-26F models of the Martin Marauder were often referred to as "the silver streak," because most of them that saw combat with the IX Bomb. Division were not factory painted; retaining their original bare metal appearance. The F1-model, and all subsequent models of the B-26, had the wing incidence angle increased by 3.5-degrees. This slight increase in engine angle improved the levelling condition of the Marauder in flight, and also added ground clearance for the propellers.

Web reference: http://387bg.com/Aircraft/B-26%2042-96268.htm