B-26 Gunship

[KJ_Lesnick]

I'm surprised nobody ever thought of this before: The B-26 was a nice looking aircraft and with lots of guns in the nose, it'd still look good...

[Geoff]

I think there was at least one with a radar in the nose and the scabbed on gunpacks as a trial for a night fighter.

[dogsbody]

I'm surprised nobody ever thought of this before: The B-26 was a nice looking aircraft and with lots of guns in the nose, it'd still look good...

I presume you are referring to the Martin B-26 Marauder and not the Douglas A/B-26 Invader.


Chris

[KJ_Lesnick]

Geoff

I think there was at least one with a radar in the nose and the scabbed on gunpacks as a trial for a night fighter.

That I have never heard of, but it sounds interesting.  I have heard the B-26 was agile, though I don't know by how much.


dogsbody

Correct, the Martin B-26 Marauder

[Geoff]

Geoff

I think there was at least one with a radar in the nose and the scabbed on gunpacks as a trial for a night fighter.

That I have never heard of, but it sounds interesting.  I have heard the B-26 was agile, though I don't know by how much.


dogsbody

Correct, the Martin B-26 Marauder

I have been looking for confirmation of the night fighter, but cannot find it. I am pretty sure the pic I saw was a Marauder. But Steve who had the picture is now unfortunately not with us.
Alternatively I am confabulating wildly!

[jcf]

[rickshaw]

Sure it wasn't the XA-26, which was mocked up as a proposed night-fighter version?


Boeing XA-26A prototype of proposed night fighter in July 1943, painted black with radar in nose and underfuselage gunpack

[Logan Hartke]

Nothing new under the sun:

Meanwhile back in Baltimore Martin engineers devised a number of improvements to the design, most noticeably a "twisted wing" with a 3 1/2-degree up angle to make take-offs safer, a solid nose with two 37 mm cannons and two .50 caliber machine guns, and a horn-balanced rudder. Acting without authority from procurement officials, the company modified three "dog ships" kept at the factory as "B-26-E"'s. They were flown down to Washington for demonstration to General Arnold and his staff, who were duly impressed.

http://www.b26.com/page/glenn_martin_museum.htm

Chers,

Logan

[Geoff]

Sure it wasn't the XA-26, which was mocked up as a proposed night-fighter version?


Boeing XA-26A prototype of proposed night fighter in July 1943, painted black with radar in nose and underfuselage gunpack

Yes, I am pretty much positive it was a Marauder. Mind you I also thought of doing a night fighter. I do not think I am confusing the two as I was surprised to see it. Steve was in the IPMS night fighter SIG at one time.

[jcf]

The XB-26E project involved modifications to four aircraft:
B-26C-5, 41-34680, Gypsy Rose dorsal turret moved forward to just behind the cockpit.

B-26B-40, 42-43319, twin .50MG and additional windows in the nose, four .50MG in the wings, engines with small scoops and extended nacelles, dorsal turret moved forward to position over the rear bomb bay, horn-balanced rudder.

B-26B-15, 41-31672, Pistol Packin' Mama, 37mm cannon and .50MG in nose, waist guns moved higher up the side of the fuselage, four .50MG in the wings, engines with small scoops and extended nacelles, horn-balanced rudder.

B-26B-40, 42-43459, wing incidence increased by 3.5 degrees, led to the F & G series.

[wuzak]

Sure it wasn't the XA-26, which was mocked up as a proposed night-fighter version?


Boeing XA-26A prototype of proposed night fighter in July 1943, painted black with radar in nose and underfuselage gunpack

Yes, I am pretty much positive it was a Marauder. Mind you I also thought of doing a night fighter. I do not think I am confusing the two as I was surprised to see it. Steve was in the IPMS night fighter SIG at one time.

It's definitely an A-26 Invader. Just look at the tail shape.

The caption on the picture you posted even states that it is an XA-26.

[wuzak]

I'm surprised nobody ever thought of this before: The B-26 was a nice looking aircraft and with lots of guns in the nose, it'd still look good...

Some B-26s were fitted with packed guns, and I believe there was at least one air to air kill with those guns.

[Army of One]

I seem to remember reading about one that shot down an Me 323 over the Med that 'strayed infront of it......' i believe the wording was....

[dogsbody]

This?

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205211426


Chris

[Army of One]

This?

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205211426


Chris

Yes mate......thats the pic i have seen before........