Martin B-26 Marauder

The Martin B-26 Marauder was a twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. First flown in 1940, it was a fast, modern design with a high wing loading that earned it a dangerous early reputation and nicknames such as the "Widowmaker" during training. Once crews mastered its higher landing speeds, the Marauder proved to be a highly capable and survivable aircraft, eventually achieving one of the lowest loss rates of any American bomber in the European theater.

It served in the Pacific, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and northwestern Europe, flying medium-altitude bombing missions against bridges, marshalling yards, and other tactical targets. About 5,288 were produced before production ended in 1945, after which the type was quickly retired.