Most everyone knows the story of how the Martin B-26 came about, and almost didn't make it into combat after such a high accident rate with the short wings, 12 volt electrical system, and young pilots/ mechanics fresh out of training. One of a few aircraft to enter production without a production proto-type first.  It was ahead of it's time...very advanced, and a hot airplane.  Once the AAF figured that out, added more training for the pilots, and mechanics, changed the design to longer wings and a 24 volt electrical system the Martin B-26 proved it's own by having the lowest combat loses of any of the medium bombers.

Perfect timing  for Eli (Zotzs) and his release of the 394BG, 584BS decals with the new release of Hasegawa's 1/72 Martin B-26.  Just getting back into modeling after about a 20 year laps of time, I've worked with some of the other B-26 historians and my Dad's photos to come up with the serials, paint schemes, and markings for most of the B-26's flown by both the 394BG, and the 322BG.

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The Black and White image above to the right is of  Victory Read around June 6, 1944.  

Before deployment to the European Theater the 394BG "Bridge Busters" was based  in Kelloge, Michigan  arriving in the UK in February 1944  as a new combat unit.  Since the earlier B-26 units found out how important "veteran" combat crews were the 394BG was able to obtain crews from some of the veteran units such as the 322BG which had been in the UK since May of 1943.  Because they had flown 37 combat missions with the 322BG my Dad and the crew he was assigned with, were picked  to transfer to the newly arrived 394BG, 584BS where he flew an additional 35 missions.  These two models in this submission are of the aircraft flown on  May 30th, and June 1st, 1944 B-26 42-96072 "Dina Might" K5*C, and the aircraft flown on June 6 (D-Day) 1944 42-96026 "Victory Read" K5*B.  Two other B-26's I plan to model in the near future are the last aircraft  he was assigned  "42-96077 "Ladies Delight" K5*F, and the aircraft they flew while assigned to the 322BG/449thBS 41-31757 "We Dood It" PN*G.

I built the models out of the box  with Zotz's B-26's of the 394BG, 584BS decals. I added fishing weights, and hex nuts in both the radio compartment, and in a space behind the engines,  where the header/oil tanks would have been located.  I've built the models in my head for years planning how I was going to paint them.  Knowing it's hard to get other paints to stick to lacquer, I sprayed a non polishing Model Master aluminum lacquer as my primer.  Thus when I sprayed my primary coats of neutral gray, and faded Model Master Olive Drab it was easy to peel the paint in the effect I wanted for the veteran olive drab B-26s.  I also used the salt water trick to help with the weathered look. On "Victory Read" I added the invasion stripes.  All medium bombers were to have 24 inch b/w stripes, I found out later after I had already painted my strips in 24 inch wide strips, that most B-26 units used 18 inch strips on their wings to keep from having to rebalance the aerons.  The 18 inch strips stopped short before they reached the aerons. .81cm is about the right measurement for 24 inches in 1/72 scale.

Don923(flyLo)

This is a photo of my Dad on the day he completed his 50th mission aboard "Dina Might" 42-96072, one of the two aircraft featured in this article. My Dad was awarded the DFC, and the Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters for his service to His Country.  He passed away May, 1st, 1993.  I can verify he talked about how great the Martin B-26 was almost up until the end.

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Click on images below to see larger images