Aircraft Background:
The Marauder, a medium-range bomber, posted the lowest loss rate, about 1%, of USAAF combat planes during World War II. The B-26 was used most effectively for bombing raids on railroad depots, bridges, and airfields, and it developed an excellent reputation as a dam buster

Our Aircraft's History:
MAPS B-26, the 99th Marauder built, crash landed in British Columbia, Canada, on January 16, 1942, five weeks and five days after Pearl Harbor was bombed. Efforts are being made by several members of the MAPS Air Museum to restore it to flying condition. A book about the crash landing, including a personal account by co-pilot Lt. Howard Smiley, is available in the MAPS gift shop. Out of the Wilderness: Restoring a Relic was written by Lee B. Morrison of New Philadelphia, Ohio.

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As is too often the case, when a part of an airframe is damaged or missing, often there is no option but to recreate, from scratch, the missing parts.  In this example, we're looking at internal ribs for the B-26 Marauder's ailerons.  These parts were either missing, or damaged beyond repair, so the restoration team had no choice but to recreate the parts from scratch.
First, full size templates printed ...	... wooden forms cut & shaped...	... wooden hammers bend to shape, and ...
...finally, holes are cut (to lighten and strengthen the part) • Photo © James Kohan working on attaching the new ribs back on the B-26 aileron • Photo © Rick Willamon
B-26 aileron ribs starting to go back on the aileron • Photo © Rick Willamon
Restoration work on the B-26 co-pilot's seat.  The co-pilots seat ran on rails, to allow the Bombadier to gain access to the nose compartment.  The last photo on this page shows (at left) the still-in-progress seat in place in the aircraft.  • Photos © James Ko • Photos © James Kohan
Engine mount back on the port (left) B-26 wing • Photos  • Photos © James Kohan

MAPS Member Jim painting one of the B-26 engine mounts • photo © James Kohan

 
  MAPS Member Bud working on one of the B-26 firewall units • photo © Steve Satchell

B-26 engine nacelle as of 01 October 2006 • photo © John Ashley

 
B-26 engine nacelle - Cleco's are holding the pieces together until riveting • photo © Gary Haught

What is a Cleco?  A Cleco is a spring-loaded fastener used to temporarily hold two pieces of sheetmetal together until they can be permanently joined together, usually by riveting or bolting.  Mostly used in the aircraft building process, they also appear in racing when building up the race car exterior.

 
Using a pair of Cleco pliers to install a Cleco temporary fastener

B-26 engine nacelle interior - colored sections are completely new sheetmetal work • photo © Gary Haught


B-26 engine nacelle exterior - ALL DONE! Most of the cleco's are gone • photo © Gary Haught
 

Nose compartment of the B-26.  Note cockpit layout and limited access • photo © Gary Haught

SPECIFICATIONS:
Span: 65 ft
Length: 56 ft
Height: 19 ft 10 in
Weight: 21,735 lbs empty, 32,000 lbs max
Armament: 6,000 lbs of bombs, up to six .50 cal. machine guns.
Wing Area: 602 sq ft
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-5 radial engines of 1,850 hp each.
Crew: Seven

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 315 mph at 15,000 ft
Cruising speed: 265 mph
Range: 2,200 miles
Service Ceiling: 25,000 ft.
Rate of Climb: 1,200 fpm

Crew Chief: Dave Pawski

NEW!  http://www.b26.com/page/my_trip_to_the_marauder_archives.htm Michael Smith has posted a wonderful travelogue about his visit to the University of Akron's Marauder Archives on this www.B26.com website

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Copyright © 2007 MAPS Air Museum