Martin B26B-4 Marauder 41-18150

"Winnie Dee"

B26b-4 Marauder 41-18150, Glenn L. Martin serial no. 2722 was delivered to the US Army between the 7/1/43 and the 28/2/43. It was the 176th of 211 B-4's built. This model featured lengthened nose-wheel struts, slotted flaps, enhanced armour, twin 0.50" tail guns, larger carburettor intakes and two Pratt and Whiney R-2800-43 engines (serial no. 42-50638 and 42-***17) producing 2000hp.

The B26B-4 featured the original short wingspan of 65 feet which earned it the nickname "Flying Prostitute" (so-named because it had no visible means of support, referring to it's small wings.)

Markings on one of the propellers that use to lie on the mountain indicated that it had been fitted with Curtiss electric pitch change props.

41-18150 original pilots were Captain Jack Wilson Seale and Andrew F. Byrd Jr. (www.b26.com/marauderman/andrew_byrd.htm) .Jack Seale and Andrew F. Byrd Jr named the plane "Winnie Dee" after Jack's mother while they were training at Macdill Airfield, Florida in April 1943. The plane was originally attached to the 449th Bomb Squadron however shortly after arriving in England it was transferred to the 452nd Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, Andrews Field, England, probably to replace aircraft lost in the infamous Ijmuiden Raid. (http://www.b26.com/page/ill-fated-mission-to-ijmuiden.htm) In November 1943 after taking part in 29 combat missions it was transferred as "War Weary" to the 3rd CCRC at Toome, N. Ireland.

Before take off on the 10th April 1944 41-18150 had been loaded with 960 gallons of fuel, five bombs and 1050 rounds of ammunition. It had accumulated 449 hours 45 minutes flying time prior to the accident.

B26B-4 322nd Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Squadron