Article 16567 of rec.aviation.military:
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From: jfb@usgp1.ih.att.com (Joe Baugher)
Subject: Bomber Series--Martin B-26 Marauder (2 of 18)
Message-ID: <D5IFoA.Hox@ssbunews.ih.att.com>
Summary: B-26A
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Organization: AT&T
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 1995 01:48:10 GMT
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The B-26A differed from the B-26 which preceded it primarily in having 
an extra ferry fuel tank installed in the rear bomb bay.  The B-26A 
also had a shackle for a 22-inch torpedo underneath the fuselage.  
Thirty of these B-26As had R-2800-5 engines, but 100 examples that 
were delivered with the R-2800-39 of identical power were known as the 
B-26A-1.  Weights had increased to 21,741 pounds empty, 32,200 pounds 
loaded.  Ferry range was 2600 miles with 1462 gallons of fuel.  

The first B-26A (41-7345) was delivered in October of 1941.  

In 1942, many of the earlier B-26s were fitted with the extra ferry 
tanks, thus being brought up to B-26A standards.  Some of the 
B-26/B-26A had the 0.30-inch nose gun replaced with a 0.50-inch gun.  

The name "Marauder" was assigned to the B-26 in October of 1941.  
Initially, the name *Martian* had been seriously considered.  

Serials of Martin B-26A Marauder:

41-7345/7365		Martin B-26A Marauder
41-7366/7367		Martin B-26A-1 Marauder
41-7368			Martin B-26A Marauder
41-7369/7430		Martin B-26A-1 Marauder
41-7431			Martin B-26A Marauder
41-7432/7476		Martin B-26A-1 Marauder
41-7477/7483		Martin B-26A-1 Marauder

Specification of Martin B-26A Marauder:  

Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-5 Double Wasp air cooled radial engines, 
rated at 1850 hp each for takeoff, 1500 hp at 14,100 feet.  
Performance:  Maximum speed 313 mph at 15,000 feet.  Cruising speed 
243 mph.  Service ceiling 23,500 feet.  Range was 1000 miles at 265 
mph with a 3000-pound bombload.  2600 miles maximum range.  
Weights:  21,741 pounds empty, 28,367 pounds gross, 33,022 pounds 
maximum.  
Dimensions:  Wingspan 65 feet 0 inches, length 58 feet 3 inches, 
height 19 feet 10 inches, wing area 602 square feet.  
Armament:  One flexible 0.30-inch machine gun installed in the tip of 
a transparent nose cone and operated by the bombardier.  Two 0.50-inch 
machine guns in a Martin-designed dorsal turret located behind the 
bomb bay just ahead of the tail.  One 0.30-inch flexible machine gun 
was installed in a tunnel position in the lower rear fuselage.  One 
flexible 0.50-inch machine installed in a tail position.  The maximum 
bombload was 5800 pounds.  

Sources:

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

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

   Me & My Gal--The Stormy Combat Romance Between a WW II Bomber
   Pilot and His Martin B-26, Charles O'Mahony, Wings, 
   December 1994.

   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.


Joe Baugher			  **************************************
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jfb@uscbu.ih.att.com
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