556TH
BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, MEDIUM
(unnamed)
Martin B-26F-1-MA Marauder
Sn: 42-96268
Squadron Code: FW-H
556TH
BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, MEDIUM
(unnamed)
Martin B-26F-1-MA Marauder
Sn: 42-96268
Squadron Code: FW-H
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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 cew within a two month period. On board #268/FW-H
were:
| Pilot
Copilot B/N ROG EG AG |
1st Lt.
2nd Lt. 2nd Lt. S/Sgt. S/Sgt. S/Sgt. |
Verne V. Thompson
William R. Sherman Russel H. Trapper Robert H. Pitt II Henry R. Mayre Robert A. Leipse |
O-699476
O-741113
36523886 |
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.