Martin B-26B Marauder

USAAF 320th BG, 444th BS, no. 2-107752 Miss Arkansas, Lt. Leo Lampman

Decimomannu, Sardinia, August 1944

Corgi AA29502

For an aircraft which initially attracted such unwanted nicknames as "Widow Maker" and the "Flying Coffin", and had training crews referring to it as, "One a day in Tampa Bay" because of the high number of aircraft lost to crashes, the Martin B-26 Marauder actually posted the lowest loss rate of all USAAF bombers during the Second World War. A high-performance aircraft incorporating advanced technologies, the Marauder was a delight to fly but had some vices which could cause problems for the unwary and inexperienced. However, some design modifications and a revised training program soon improved the aircraft's fortunes.

After some time in Florida, the 444th Bomb Squadron were sent to England before completing their training program. They stayed for just over a month before being sent onwards with the rest of the 320th Bomb Group to North Africa and operations across the Mediterranean Theatre. The Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for pressing home an attack against Axis troop concentrations at Fondi, in support of the 5th Army's push towards Rome, despite coming under heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire.

This particular aircraft was one of the most flamboyantly decorated of all the 444th BS Marauders, with striking sharks' teeth to put fear in the hearts of enemy fighter pilots, and beach belle artwork on both sides of the aircraft's nose.

Martin B-26B Marauder

Designed to meet a US Army Air Corps specification for a twin-engined medium bomber, the B-26 Marauder was first flown on November 25, 1940. Early in its service career, the B-26 was nicknamed "Widowmaker" because of its high accident statistics, especially during takeoffs and landings, when pilots were required to maintain a much higher than average speed to avoid stalling. Later model B-26Bs underwent a series of aerodynamics modifications, making the aircraft safer to fly. Used in the Pacific, Western European and Mediterranean Theaters, the B-26 eventually became the primary bomber on the Western Front, ending the war with fewer losses than any other USAAF bomber.

Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
• Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
• Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
• Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.