B-26 has an interesting history. Most training was at McDill field near Tampa. The planes tended to freak out a LOT of junior pilots as the short & stubby wings demanded a much faster than typical landing speed. In one particular 30-day period, about 15 crashed into Tampa Bay, lending to the expression "One a day in Tampa Bay". In spite of training issues, experienced pilots loved the almost-fighter performance of this medium bomber.
Hey Beans ... Also ... the Martin company was located in Maryland. Baltimore, specifically. When the British got the plane, they dubbed it The Baltimore Whore - wings so short they provided no visible means of support !!!
They are rebuilding Flak-Bait at the Udvar-Hazy Center (that's where they rebuild all the exhibits for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. It used to be just a restoration facility but has become a museum unto itself.)
I've watched a few of these DarkDocs videos. While fairly accurate on the historical macro level, they can be down right inaccurate in detail. And for God's sake; do something about the speed and pacing of the text-to-speech narration.
Flew home with one dead engine and one on fire!
ReplyDeleteBadness!
ReplyDeleteB-26 has an interesting history. Most training was at McDill field near Tampa. The planes tended to freak out a LOT of junior pilots as the short & stubby wings demanded a much faster than typical landing speed. In one particular 30-day period, about 15 crashed into Tampa Bay, lending to the expression "One a day in Tampa Bay". In spite of training issues, experienced pilots loved the almost-fighter performance of this medium bomber.
ReplyDeleteThey fixed that, a tad, by lengthening the wingtips.
DeleteAnd then the F-16, in it's early years, took over the expression "One a day in Tampa Bay."
Hey Beans ...
DeleteAlso ... the Martin company was located in Maryland. Baltimore, specifically. When the British got the plane, they dubbed it The Baltimore Whore - wings so short they provided no visible means of support !!!
And it took a considerable amount off the top speed of the A/C...
DeleteThe nose gunner is huffin' a blunt. John Belushi is riding center shotgun. What could go wrongk?
ReplyDeleteNot to mention the fact that Mitt Romney is both pilot and co-pilot. Doomed.
DeleteThey are rebuilding Flak-Bait at the Udvar-Hazy Center (that's where they rebuild all the exhibits for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. It used to be just a restoration facility but has become a museum unto itself.)
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much more the plane weighs today than when it was born, just because of all the patches.
DeleteMy grandfather built those during the war.
ReplyDeleteI've watched a few of these DarkDocs videos. While fairly accurate on the historical macro level, they can be down right inaccurate in detail. And for God's sake; do something about the speed and pacing of the text-to-speech narration.
ReplyDelete