Last of the photos

Here are the last of the photos. 

Hi John

The NMF B-26 sans any unit markings, side pack guns or upper turret flying low over the country side maybe a AT-26 but I can’t make a match on what I think is the serial no. 43-12105. It maybe it is a strip down ship used as a group “hack” utility ship.

Tom

The Marauder under repair is 43-34291. The squadron code is most probably IH, then it is a 1st PFF aircraft (Pathfinder). The aircraft on ground looks like gliders.

Tom22


Hi John

The NMF B-26 sans any unit markings, side pack guns or upper turret flying low over the country side maybe a AT-26 but I can’t make a match on what I think is the serial no. 43-12105. It maybe it is a strip down ship used as a group “hack” utility ship.

Tom

Tom, the serial looks like 41-18105 to me, then it is a rather early model. If it is possible to get a certain serial on this we will know for sure. No Marauder had serial like 43-12105. If the one on photo is 41-18105 it is a B-26B-4 of which 211 were built. The 43-series of Marauders were 43-34XXX.  41-18214 was a trainer (TB-26), originally a
B-26B-10, looks similar to this one (all metal, and same markings).
 

Hi Alf
 
Thanks for the help.
 
The next question is where is the photo taken?
 
Without having the IARC my best guess, by the background terrain, is somewhere over the eastern U.S. For sure it just return from a major depot maintenance, it is very clean, and the markings are to T.O. specification.
 
Can you post 41-18214 for comparison?
 
Thanks,
 
Tom

Guys:

  Thanks for the help.  I took out a magnifying glass to try and read some of the things written on the backs of a few of the photos.  For the gliders it says:  "Gliders used to carry paratroopers to Bastogne...Battle of the Bulge.  Bastogne is to the left."
  I couldn't read which the bombed airfield was, but the other bombing photo on one of my earlier threads says: "St. Vith".  I am hoping to start digging through more photos after Easter dinner.  Thanks.

John

St. Vith in Belgium was the target on 394th BG mission #169 on December 25th 1944, but was abandoned. 39 Marauders airborne.

The bombed airfield is Y-55 Venlo in Holland, 394th BG base from May 1945.

Tom, attached here is 41-18214.

Attached Image(s)

Hi John & Alf
 
Thanks for the post on 41-18214. Bill’s comment about looking worn is a understatement! What a patch work of fading, chip, and strip paint complete with yellow instrument training bands! Makes 41-18105 look more like a “pretty penny”
 
Comparing my files with its markings I came up with this B-26G-11- MA, 43-34541 which has the same style of stencil tail number and letter, relocated and larger fuselage star & bar insignia which leads me to conjecture that the letter is a squadron letter not a field letter.
 
43-34541 also has something that I have not notice before, what looks like a canvas cover over the hole that was left when the tail guns were removed. Maybe this is what you are looking at in photo DannySnyderphotos015
 
All the best to you all,
 
Tom

Attached Image(s)