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USAAF · Medium Bomber · Tactical Bomber · ETO / MTO / Normandy

Martin B-26 Marauder

B-26B / C / F / G · USAAF · 1942–1945
USAAF / USN route with unit, theatre and markings context

The Martin B-26 Marauder was a fast, compact, high-wing-loading medium bomber with a controversial early reputation and an outstanding later combat record. It became a key USAAF tactical bomber over North Africa, Italy, Normandy, France and Germany. For modellers it means short-wing versus long-wing choices, Olive Drab or natural metal, invasion stripes, flak damage, mission markings, turret detail, tight nacelles and the famous “Flak-Bait” route.

7
Crew
2×R-2800
Radials
Fast
Medium bomber
Flak-Bait
Iconic route

What paints do I need?

Generate a practical starter paint list for this Martin B-26 Marauder build, with common brand equivalents.

Scheme basis: USAAF / US Navy. Treat these as modelling equivalents rather than laboratory-perfect matches; always check your chosen aircraft, theatre and date.
ColourUseTamiyaVallejoAKMr Hobby
Olive Drab / Sea BlueMain upper colour depending on USAAF or US Navy subjectXF-62 / XF-1771.043 / 71.300AK RC023 / RC258H52 / H54
Neutral Grey / Intermediate BlueUndersides or naval mid-toneXF-53 / XF-1871.051 / 71.299AK RC024 / RC256H53 / H56
Interior Green / Bronze GreenCockpit and internal structuresXF-5 + yellow mix71.137AK RC230H58/H302
Insignia White / BlackMarkings, invasion stripes and walkwaysXF-2 / XF-6971.001 / 71.057AK RC004 / RC022H1 / H12
Natural Metal / AluminiumNMF aircraft, chipping and landing gearLP-1177.701AK Xtreme Metal AluminiumSM201
Zinc Chromate / Yellow GreenWheel wells and internal areas where appropriateXF-471.094AK RC262H329
Exhaust/rubber/weatheringExhaust, tyres, gun staining and oil streaksXF-1/XF-64/XF-85Black/Brown/RubberAK weathering coloursH12/H47

B-26 operations · 1942–1945

The B-26 Marauder was not as famous as the B-26 or B-24, but it became one of the most effective American medium bombers in Europe. It operated with the Ninth Air Force, Twelfth Air Force and tactical bomber groups, attacking bridges, rail yards, airfields and troop concentrations. Modelling it well means choosing the exact production block and theatre: early short-wing aircraft, MTO Olive Drab machines, Normandy invasion-striped aircraft, late natural-metal examples, or Flak-Bait.

7Crew
2×R-2800Radials
B/GMain routes
ETOTactical bomber
B-26 real reference
Real B-26 photo route: check short/long wing, turret fit, nose glazing, group markings, invasion stripes, flak patches and weathering before paint.

Role & strengths

  • USAAF fast medium bomber and tactical bomber
  • North Africa, Italy, ETO, Normandy and France/Germany routes
  • Short-wing/long-wing production differences and turret/nose checks
  • Olive Drab/Neutral Grey, natural metal, invasion stripes and mission markings
  • R-2800 exhaust, oil staining, flak patches, faded OD and dusty airfield wear

Key theatres

  • North Africa and Mediterranean tactical bombing
  • Ninth Air Force ETO operations
  • Normandy and post-D-Day tactical support
  • Flak-Bait and high-mission-count aircraft routes

Specification B-26G

Crew7Length58 ft 3 inWingspan71 ft 0 inMax speedc.287 mphPowerplant2× Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radialsArmament.50 cal MGs plus medium bomb load

Survivors today

B-26 survivor reference

Surviving B-26s are useful for nose shape, cockpit framing, turrets, nacelles, landing gear stance and the battered, patched look of high-mission aircraft like Flak-Bait.

View survivors

Timeline highlights

Build this B-26 as…

Pick the wing/theatre first. An early short-wing aircraft, MTO bomber, Normandy invasion-striped aircraft, late natural-metal B-26G and Flak-Bait route all need different details and weathering.

Aircraft identity

★USAAF
BGBomb Groups
2×R-2800
FASTHigh speed
///Stripes
FLAKPatch route
Variant warning

B-26 short-wing and long-wing aircraft differ. Check wing, tail, turret and nose details before buying decals or aftermarket.

Finish warning

B-26 weathering is often mission-worn rather than wrecked: faded OD, exhaust, oil, flak patches, invasion stripes and dusty airfields.

Paint scheme cards

Early/MTOOlive Drab / Neutral Grey

Early and Mediterranean B-26s need faded OD, dust and radial exhaust.

NormandyInvasion stripes

Stripes need controlled masking, field wear and subject-specific placement.

LateNatural metal route

Late Marauders can use metal finishes with subtle panel tone and anti-glare areas.

FlakPatchwork and mission wear

Flak-Bait style builds need patches, repairs, exhaust and heavy but logical operational wear.

Campaign cards

North Africa / MTO

Early and mid-war Marauders with dusty OD/Neutral Grey and Mediterranean tactical bombing.

Ninth Air Force ETO

Tactical bombing over France, Belgium and Germany with unit markings and mission wear.

Normandy

Invasion-striped B-26s attacking bridges, railways and German positions before/after D-Day.

Flak-Bait

High-mission-count route with patches, repairs and one of the best Marauder modelling stories.

Build difficulty and related guides

Overall difficulty

High. Nacelles, turrets, glazing, nose weight and wing variant choices need planning.

Variant difficulty

High. Short-wing/long-wing and turret changes are easy to miss.

Weathering difficulty

High. Flak patches, invasion stripes, OD fade and metal finishes need restraint.

Paint codesOlive Drab, Neutral Grey, natural metal and invasion stripe notesTechniqueOD fading, flak patches, R-2800 exhaust and invasion stripesArticleB-26 kits, variants and Marauder weathering guide

B-26 Bomb Groups and tactical bomber units

Sortable B-26 unit cards covering North Africa, MTO, Ninth Air Force, Normandy, Flak-Bait and survivor/reference routes.

Route:Sort:

B-26 operating map

Variant selector

Airfield info

Click a marker to show linked B-26 unit cards and modelling notes.

Campaign timeline

Survivors

Books and reference sources

B-26 build guide

Kit choice wizard

B-26 videos, photos and archive material

Media replaces the old separate walkaround tab: cockpit, exhaust, undercarriage, markings, survivor references, archive imagery and video cards are grouped here.