Martin Marauder Mk.I

France: Philedition, 2008. New book, 58 pages, 43 photos, 6 color profiles. This book scrutinises the British and American employment of the initial version Martin B-26A medium bomber.The B-26A was operated by 14 Sqdn. RAF as the Marauder Mk 1 and by various Stateside based USAAF Bomber Groups and training-units. The first ten pages present the birth of the Martin 179 design with the usual development problems which had to be overcome, leading up to service trials & acceptance of the B-26, and B-26-A, perhaps the most advanced bomber of the USAAF’s arsenal at the time of introduction in 1941 ; along with basic technical specs for the B-26A / Marauder Mk. 1. Thereafter the booklet concentrates on the employment of the Marauder Mk 1 in the Middle East & later Italy by 14 Squadron RAF. Six subsequent pages detail 48 aircraft lost by the RAF during operations and due to flying accidents or whilst being ferried. A total register of all B-26A airframes follows, with details of individual a/c allocations and final fates. The list also includes those a/c which were flow by the various USA based bomber-groups and training units, and shows the high (non-operational) attrition rate suffered by the type in the USA, which earned it the title "Widow-Maker". A list presenting sortie totals per a/c flown by 14 Squadron and a Roll of Honour of the 164 RAF aircrew lost on Marauder Mk 1s round off the book’s content.. Soft Cover. As New. Illus. by Laird, Malcolm. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.