B-26 Marauder - Flak Bait

The B-26 Marauder is an American World War II twin-engine medium bomber built by the Martin Company from 1941 to 1945. Called to service in 1942, the aircraft took heavy losses in its early days, but was still one of the most successful medium-range bombers used by the US Army Air Forces and her Allies.

The B-26 Flak Bait was assigned to the 322nd Bombardment Group in England and had lived up to its name: it has been shot with over 1,000 holes, returned twice on one engine and once with an engine on fire, lost its electrical system once and its hydraulic system twice. Nevertheless, it survived 207 operational missions over Europe, more than any other American aircraft during World War II. It is currently undergoing restoration at the National Air and Space Museum.