Article 19855 of rec.aviation.military:
Xref: ssbunews rec.aviation.military:19855
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.military
Path: ssbunews!not-for-mail
From: jfb@usgp1.ih.att.com (Joe Baugher)
Subject: Bomber Series--Martin B-26 Marauder (15 of 18)
Message-ID: <D73tG8.5M8@ssbunews.ih.att.com>
Summary: AT-23A and B target tugs 
Sender: news@ssbunews.ih.att.com (Netnews Administration)
Nntp-Posting-Host: usgp1.ih.att.com
Reply-To: jfb@uscbu.ih.att.com
Organization: AT&T
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 1995 01:28:56 GMT
Lines: 67

During the war, gunnery schools at training facilities in the States 
were getting feedback from combat theatres that gunners in the field 
were often unable to fire accurately at enemy aircraft when at high 
altitudes.  This was traced to a lack of adequate training in 
high-altitude gunnery.  At the time, the Air Force had no target tugs 
that could operate at altitudes above 10,000 feet, and since 
ballistics are quite different at high altitudes, it was felt that a 
high altitude target tug was necessary.  

To fit this need, 208 B-26Bs were modified as target tugs and were 
redesignated AT-23A.  This variant first appeared in August of 1943.  
It had all armor and armament removed and was equipped with a C-5 tow 
target windlass.  In addition, 350 B-26C were manufactured as target 
tugs and were redesignated AT-23B.  These AT-23As and Bs were later 
redesignated TB-26B and TB-26C respectively.  

225 AT-23Bs were transferred to the US Navy as JM-1s.  The JM-1 was 
used by the Navy for target towing and other general utility duties.  
It was never used in combat.  Many JM-1s were painted with a bright 
orange-yellow finish, but the USAAF AT-23Bs retained their natural 
metal finish.  

Serials of AT-23A and AT-23B:

41-35371		Martin AT-23B
41-35373		Martin AT-23B
41-35516		Martin AT-23B - Given to USN as JM-1
41-35539		Martin AT-23B - Given to USN as JM-1
41-35541/35547		Martin AT-23B - Given to USN as JM-1
41-35552		Martin AT-23B - Given to USN as JM-1
41-35561/35872		Martin AT-23B - 189 transferred to USN as JM-1
42-43358/43359		Martin AT-23A
42-43362/43458		Martin AT-23A
42-95629/95737		Martin AT-23A
42-107471/107496	Martin AT-23B
42-107831/107855	Martin AT-23B

Sources:

   Famous Bombers of the Second World War, William Green,
   Doubleday, 1959.

   The Martin B-26 Marauder, J. K. Havener, TAB Aero, 1988.

   The Martin B-26B and C Marauder, Ray Wagner, Aircraft in
   Profile, Doubleday, 1965.

   Jane's American Fighting Aircraft of the 20th Century,
   Michael J.H. Taylor, Mallard Press.

   American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner,
   Doubleday, 1982.

   United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911, Gordon Swanborough and
   Peter M. Bowers, Naval Institute Press, 1990.


Joe Baugher			  **************************************
AT&T Bell Laboratories		  *  "Why are you here, Q?  Have you   *
1000 E. Warrenville Road	  *  been banished from the            *
Room 1N 308			  *  Continuum AGAIN?"                 * 
P. O. Box 3013			  *  	      Capt Jean-Luc Picard     *
Naperville, Illinois 60566-7013	  *              ST-TNG		       *
USA				  **************************************
Phone: (708) 713 4548
jfb@uscbu.ih.att.com
			    Who, me?  Speak for AT&T?  Surely you jest!	


