How To Fly The B-26 Airplane (1944)

The Martin B-26 bomber was popularly known as the Marauder. This wartime training film shows how to handle the versatile craft, with Hollywood actor Don Porter playing the part of the pilot
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[@SabraStiehl]

I'm a retired US airline pilot with 22,000+ flying hours. In the USAF I flew transports (qualified in LAPES, GPES & PLADS in the C-130E) and have time in fighters (mach 2 in an F-104, intercept in an F-94). I also bombed Sacramento from a B-47, so I consider myself broadly experienced concerning aviation. The Martin Marauder was an unforgiving plane to one uneducated about controllability at low airspeed. To put it bluntly, you died if with an engine out you let the airspeed fall below 155 mph.

[@AroundSun]

My grandfather flew the B-26 in North Africa, Sicily, and "the hump" in Asia. He flew cargo, bombs, and dropped paratroopers over the mountains. He was shot down, dropped the bomb load into the jungle, and then crash landed. He was the only one who survived. Thanks for the upload!!

[@IvanSkyFlight]

My grandfather was a B-26 pilot. He flew over 60 missions during WW2, taking off from England for various missions. He flew on D-Day, but crashed while still over England. He was the sole survivor.

[@diffened]

IvanSky, Was he in a ship that collided with another when they were forming up? My father was in a four plane group that had two of them collide and both were lost. Was he in the 585th bomb group?

[@Brace67]

An actor named Don Porter played the pilot. In the 50’s one of the parts Don Porter had was in the sitcom “Private Secretary” starring Ann Southern. He played her boss. In this WW2 training film he is very convincing as the plane’s pilot.

[@greghardy9476]

It took me a minute to identify Don Porter. He also played Sally Field’s father in ‘Gidget’. LOL, guess I’m dated also!

[@johnkrag6]

Craig Stevens (trainee) played Peter Gunn TV series

[@annahale1187]

I really like him as Sally Field's father in Gidget!

[@stuartzalka]

I have to say this was fascinating. Came upon it by accident and watched to the end. The actors did a great job and yes the grounds crew was hilariously disappointed when they landed safely.

[@rodgerburkley8939]

Despite all the negative comments about the B-26 Marauder's "Widow Maker" reputation as being a very unforgiving medium bomber aircraft, it actually had one of the lowest operational loss rates in WWII. (mainly European theater). The early models were twitchy for sure....and wing was heavily loaded. But later ones got wings modified/widened along with enhanced tail feathers. That helped lower speed performance a lot during approach and landings....and even take-offs. It was basically a 'hot', modern ship -- especially compared to more 'gentle' flying B-25 Mitchell. Imagine flying this circa 1943!

[@ellieprice3396]

Here's a true story from William (Bill) Smith, WW2 B-26 and P-47 fighter pilot that I knew personally. Flew combat in the PO valley of Italy. "One day we watched a B-26 bomber coming in to our temporary fighter base on Tunisia. A few of us pilots were on the flight line in case we got called for a mission. I watched a plane flying in and said to the guy standing next to me; “I’ll bet you five dollars to a roll of doughnuts that’s Jimmy Doolittle flying that plane.” The plane landed and out stepped a little short guy in a regular pilots’ uniform, with no rank to identify him. He was told by the landing officer, "Hey sir, you can't park that plane here, this area's restricted!" "You don't know who I am, do you soldier? “No Sir.” “I'm Col. Doolittle and I'm in a hurry." When the officer scrambled to salute him, he said, "Ah, don't bother with that military crap, I just need a jeep to take me to headquarters. Get me a jeep and get someone to move this plane!" “Yes sir,” with another shaky salute. The nervous sergeant came over to Bill and the others and said, "You jerks, why didn’t you tell me that was Jimmy Doolittle in that plane?” “Well, if you’d been watching you would have known it was Doolittle by the way he flew that bomber in." "How?" "Well, I watched him coming in and I knew it had to be Doolittle; because he was bringing that heavy bomber in like a fighter. It’s not an easy plane to fly and nobody but Doolittle could manhandle a B-26 like that and get away with it" "He was a short little guy, gritty, with an aura of command about him, and he sure knew how to fly that plane."

[@billdurham8477]

From I Could Never Be So Lucky Again, JD zooms a P51 into a Navy field, pulls up to the tower and hops out. A couple of Navy pilots yell at him for taxing with his flaps down. Don't you know who that is.... Actually flaps up keeps them from being damaged if at a dirt airstrip..And JD shows up at the B26 flight school, takes one up, as soon as the gear is up he cuts an engine and does stunts. And rewrote the training program to include more time as the B26 approached about as fast as the twin Beeches could fly. Had a customer once who flew these in Alaska. His base was a beach surounded by mountains, he said they approached at 150kt then made a hairpin turn onto the runway. And if he had added in the snow uphill both ways I believe him. They don't make Americans like that anymore, or too few.....

[@701CPD]

Anyone that could fly those stubby Gee Bee racers of the 1930s (Doolittle) could rack a B-26 around like nobody's business!

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I have no idea why this was in my recommended, and I have no idea why I watched the whole thing. I am just glad of both. Fascinating.

[@williamescolantejr5871]

lol me either but that's a lot of info to absorb

[@MVEProducties]

Now you can fly a B-26!! Try it out next time you are the museum 🤣

[@staninco]

The B-26 was said to be VERY demanding of pilot skills (and luck?). As a pilot, this makes it extra spicy...

[@SabraStiehl]

Back to the B-26 training film, I think it's the best I've seen, despite the hokey drama concerning the enlisted man in the back. Bridget's dad and Peter Gunn did a great job - for actors - portraying how pilot training was done back then. I flew C-123Bs and C-130Es in the AF in the early '60s, so I know pretty much how close they came to the reality of being checked out in an aircraft. And since the Martin Marauder or Boston was a handful, my hat's off to those who survived flying the beast.

[@ChasOnErie]

Amen to all ..

[@busman7228]

Sabra. You mean Gidget’s dad.

[@johnchetcuti9960]

All those who flew bombers in WWII had balls!!! Brave, brave men

[@raycasper8821]

Yes! 8th Air Force Bomber crews (mostly B-17’s). Lost more men than the entire U.S. Navy, during WW II.

[@goldenpun5592]

"lets check the weather" *Opens wood hatch that says "For pilots and navigators only" and it's just a window _comedy gold_

[@GaZonk100]

haha!🤣

[@shareurtube]

Damn I loved that movie. I had no idea how involved it was to fly a B-26. My Father rest his soul flew the Hump. He was a Flight Engineer. Would have loved to watched this together and get his impression of the movie. Thanks to all the Veterans out there.

[@davewickizer4506]

My dad flew the hump to and loved his c 46s and later flew p40s and then he fell in love with his p47. His love of flying led him to fly anything with a prop later and a exciting career. I loved to fly to growing up with him.

[@usmctanks1]

The early B-26 had a smaller wing and a very high "wing loading" that caused many early accidents (not due to the plane, more due to inexperienced pilots going from basic trainer to a fast (350 plus) bomber with (at that time) poor single engine performance. Both problems cured by increasing the size of the wing, and better training for pilots flying the B-26. It had the lowest loss rate of all Allied bombers in Europe.

[@angryneighbor6]

My grandfather flew the Martin Marauder on 65 missions over France to bomb bridges to slow down the Germans. I'm going to show him this the next time I see him.

[@david25876]

Brings back memories. The ole B26. You either lived her or hated her. This was a great training video. We loved then and we live it now.

[@critchley3819]

I did'nt untill I read you comment, yes I do now, These war time pilots were true heroes who sure had there work to do,I was blown away by this vid, really bought home what these men went though imagine all this while dropping bombs with a 109 on you, and the ones that survived were expected to go home after the war and go back to normality..

[@psychomamma]

My Uncle (who was a Marauder squadron commander) would agree with the two pilots in this video. The B-26 is/was a great plane to go to war in. It was fast, heavily armored and could carry a large payload. Because of its high wing loading the B-26 did require special flying techniques not required of other aircraft, but once you were properly trained you were safe as in any other warbird.

[@marcdonato9322]

My uncle Dennis Tracy was a tailgunner on that aircraft. Flew into France on D-Day +2. My brother got a hold of his flight logs, all sorts of great information in there. the crew had to account for every bullet every shell every single thing that went on that aircraft.

[@uppittyup]

My grandpa flew in the marauder, he was a tailgunner in Battle of the Bulge on Christmas eve 1944. He said that was his 50th flight that day. Got to come home after that!

[@taroman7100]

I've read all the comments. They make me cry with pride and joy. My father-in-law, Tommy Adams captained the B-26 from England base. He told a story fit for a John Wayne war movie. What incredible men you all were. He was part of the B 386th Crusaders Bomb Group. I am so grateful to you all !

[@davido1953]

That actor is completely believable as a pilot.

[@feetgoaroundfullflapsC]

37:16 That method of "Centering the ball" (of the turn and bank indicator) is what killed most of the guys when engine failed. The 1958 Piper Apache i flew for my multi i took in 1979 had an addendum on the POH cancelling that method-and using the 5 degree into good engine method instead. With the ball centered method you are doing a Forward Slip instead of going with fuselage straight like you should with an engine out

[@n516tr]

My mother's brother (my Uncle and namesake) was killed March 2, 1943 in a B26 training flight at Avon Park Florida Army Air Corp field. His letters to my mother indicated the B26 "widow Maker" nickname was well deserved.

[@williamsteinhour4876]

I love that they light up a cigarette after getting out of the aircraft that was just leaking fuel!! And the pilot running into the wall looking at the Secretaries ass is probably the most accurate post flight action filmed! Frowned on today, but funny as hell to see from 1944! Corporal, I mean Private Smith doing KP duty is priceless!!! Love the film!! Bill S USN ET

[@resolvedwhite1743]

My dad was a nose gunner in the B-17, later he became a pilot for United and retired captain on the DC-8, his last flight I got to ride the trip up front in observer seat, FAA approved it. GOD BLESS and PROTECT AMERICA.

[@bluetopguitar1104]

All those beautiful marauders. I wish I could see one fly.

[@mohawkc91]

"Let's take a look at the weather. Weather good." So much for a thorough briefing.

[@rickn8or]

"CAVU to the moon."

[@f3nd13y]

showed this to my great grandfather who flew in wwII, he has Alzheimer, he lit up when i showed him this.

[@sonnyburnett8725]

My Mom died of that also. There’s no doubt they can hear you and what your showing them. They did so much for us and hope we helped them.

[@garywheeler7039]

I could imagine that the cockpit chatter and checklist info could have struck a chord with him in a good way if he was involved at all with flying.

[@catholicdad]

That was a nice thing you did

[@DJLarryLar]

Pull up the top 10 songs from around those years, put them on an mp3 player and put headphones on him or a speaker and play the songs... you'll see lights go off for sure, I guarantee it.

[@MJLeger-yj1ww]

That's just wonderful, I'm sure you triggered some old memories in that brain of his that woke up some great feeling in him -- Bravo for your grandfather!

[@petercraig6802]

Looks incredibly complex, especially with limited labels on the controls, compared to cockpit views you see of modern planes. I'd love to hear what a modern pilot of a similar sized plane thinks !

[@cryhavoc9748]

My dad was a "ground pounder" ( Infantry ) during World War Two. Said these bombers would come back for a landing after a bombing run, and have so many holes in them from anti aircraft fire, that you could see daylight through the holes.

[@Brace67]

If I didn't know better, I would have thought Don Porter was an actual pilot. He is really convincing in this role.

[@patchas2546]

My dad flew the B-26 in WW2 really great to see how it was done. Thanks for posting it!

[@ianmangham4570]

Cool

[@AMG14S]

"One a day in Tampa Bay" What a trip down memory lane. I wish youtube was around while my father was alive to see this. He flew B-26's over Italy, taking out trains and harbors.

[@mikeyoung9810]

Thanks for sharing this! :)

[@awallace7950]

***** Then we fed them after the Nazis fled with all their food. Today, you are fat and happy. You're welcome.

[@telsport]

Ouch. but I am thinking about it, Other.

[@telsport]

I thought it was B 24's...not to sass you..but I know they used the 24's as Ploesti or polesit..whichever.the oil fields.

[@Longboardsinglefin]

Ploesti is Romania. Right continent though. ( ;

[@zachrich7359]

My grandfather was an armorer for B-26s during WW II, he would have loved to see this.

[@Drivedigital]

My grandfather was one of the designers on the 26. Thanks for posting this.

[@peterjamesfoote3964]

Gives you an appreciation for what pilots had to keep in mind before the age of computerized flight.

[@triscadec]

Airbus: press go button.

[@ajblack2410]

VFR am I a joke to you

[@ianabruce]

Thanks for posting this. It's amazing how similar the checklist and even the equipment is similar or identical to some the general aviation planes still flying today. I don't know about "Jim", but I read "Dick" as an actual pilot who's been qualified on the aircraft. I got a kick out the "putt-putt" reference -- just another name for an APU. Batteries were pretty heavy and inefficient back then. Impressive production values -- The guys who lit, shot, and directed this were real pros.

[@rengarcia3173]

The B-26 was an amazing aircraft. Fast and rugged, it was a great bomber. One problem: the wings were so stubby and loaded so heavily, you had to land that sucker at very high speed otherwise you'd stall the bloody airplane and crash in. The plane scared its crew so much they were often given less than friendly names. Still, the plane had the lowest loss rate of any US type.

[@factinator33]

Boy, these guys MUST be engineers as well as pilots!!!! AWESOME!!!🛩

[@vincentwinkleblech3614]

factinator33 you had to be proficient in Math, geometry and algebra. You had to know some basic chemistry as it would apply to fuel mixtures , hydraulics etc. Navigation was done by the sun and stars

[@factinator33]

@@vincentwinkleblech3614 AWESOME

[@XrayxRich]

A hell of a good airplane. I have a "Wings" VHS tape of the B-26 that I copied from the Discovery Channel in the '90s. She was nicknamed The Widow-maker, because of how hard she was to handle. Most of her casualties were during take-offs and landings.

[@DataWaveTaGo]

Just remember son, any plane can kill you, so don't take it personally. This was the humor my WW2 Air Force father lived with and by.

[@dixievfd55]

Most single engine planes then produced so much torque they would try to kill the pilot on takeoff if he pulled up too early.

[@llleverette]

This video could have saved my life!!! My dad flew in one of the few Navy B-26's during the war. A bright yellow unarmed utility version Belle of the Utron for squadron VJ-13. He told me that once during a typhoon they lost an engine and by the time they made it to Pearl Harbor they were so low they buzzed Admiral Nimitz's house waking him up. So they were met by MP's but quickly released. Yep he always said it was a hot plane and hard to handle. Thanks so much for posting this!!!

[@MrSmackdaddy72]

A friend of mine Mr. George Allen served in the 442nd squadron of the 320th bomb group, he passed away this week at the age of 94, before he died he told me about the raids in Romania, sicily, and common mistakes pilots made flying the B26......going to miss alll those guys when their all gone....

[@tommythetrain4288]

my gpa flew one of these... he passed this year at 96, 2nd to last pilot alive of the b26s (one left i heard still alive, yet somewhat uncertain if true) flew 64 missions 2 on Dday.

[@v12dot]

Can't believe how hard it was to fly any WW2 airbird, yet these young guys made it look like driving a Honda Civic! . God bless your gpa , and all his gallant brothers in arms x

[@tommythetrain4288]

stewart mcnaughton

[@dks13827]

This plane had some crash issues..... the B 25 was easier to fly as I have heard.

[@HuasoPodrido]

I know that youre proud of your kin. I have flown a B-25 (lucky) and it was a real emotional flight to feel all of those aircrews flying on my wing.

[@worldofzap]

My grandfather also flew a B-26 in the war. He has of course long passed away. I use to listen to him for hours as a kid talk about his experiences. Guess he even had a crash landing once. The bird was totaled but he and his crew were fine. Guess any landing you can walk away from is a good landing lol. He did attend the reunions when he was alive but even he commented the reunions had less and less of them over time.

[@nevermore300]

One of the most beautiful medium bombers of WW2.

[@createdeccentricities6620]

In the age of stealth planes its easy to forget that aircraft of this era were exceedingly complex machines. The checklist shows how true this was.

[@jayhanig54]

Which is why they used them. I used to get by with mnemonics to get an airplane off and back on the ground. I'd have never gotten away with that in a B-26.

[@ethericboy]

Modern military stealth planes are also exceedingly complex

[@brianoneil9662]

And remember that little more than 30 years had passed since the wood, paper and wire Wright Flyer and it's 15hp engine.

[@sullybiker6520]

Legend has it they are still working through that checklist to this day

[@DjangoThunders]

great video, now if i can just find a B-26

[@blancolirio]

Damn, that's a steep single engine approach...Great Stuff!

[@androo9320]

I thought the same; looked like he was about to lawn-dart his way in! Almost over-compensated on the pull up too.....

[@kingbee1500]

Craig Stevens and Don Porter...I didn't know they both were in the 1stMPU/USAAF. This cinema unit did some excellent work.

[@GumbysClay53]

Would have given a lot to be a pilot back in those days...I can’t get over their procedures...the captain knew his shit inside and out...

[@richschneider4473]

My dad flew the B-26 with the 320th Bombing Group over Italy. He passed away a few years ago at 96.

[@MrSmackdaddy72]

once they started flying at the altitudes they wear intended to fly at and changed the oil mixture, they became the safest aircraft to fly, and had the fewest losses of any aircraft in WWII, while having among the most sorties flown..

[@hwatson069]

The B-26 was tricky to handle at low speed due to high wing loading. It was affectionally known as the "Widowmaker!" In 1945, Harry Truman asked Glen Martin, "How come so many of our boys get killed in your aiplane?" Martin, reponded that the wings were too short.. Harry Truman then asked, "Why don't you make them longer? Martin responded, "I don't have to, I already have the contract!" The Martin B-26 was immediately retired after WWII! It was replaced by the Douglas A-26 which was re-designated as B-26C. The Douglas B-26 was an awesome aircraft; it served through the Vietnam War!

[@vincentwinkleblech3614]

Nose dive to a flare in milliseconds..... Damned fine pilot !

[@perryhvegholm2941]

The B26 was a handful to fly. Powerful, fast (for a bomber) it would quickly bite any pilot who wasn't paying attention at takeoff and landing. Some crews referred to it as the "Martin Murderer. "

[@mgoldbeck1111]

The co-pilot actor was Craig Stevens who went on to play the lead in the TV series "Peter Gunn"

[@douglasrodrigues9329]

You're right...Peter Gunn.

[@davidbarnett9312]

Don Porter! Thanks. Couldn't remember his name, but, yeah, Craig Stevens aka Peter Gunn.

[@x.y.8581]

IOW, he was the "lead" in the "Gun"

[@thomasklugh4345]

Yup. The Peter Gunn guy.

[@johncsajaghy4766]

I love how they light up right next to the airplane half full of fuel with a leak that must have still been dripping.

[@DreddJudgeJoe]

Love the Health & Safety back then. The ground crew is INSIDE the wheel well, with his arm through the Undercarriage support frame pulling the pin out ! If it moved at all Bye Bye arm ! My dad was a Sergeant Pilot in WWII and he would have a fit if he had seen this. Probably did see this film.

[@barkon]

This is easily the most relaxed, natural-feeling 'how to fly' video I've ever seen.

[@ctsteve1967]

The Lt. never flew the airplane

[@bitsnpieces11]

For those wondering what the "wilco" is for, it's short and quick for "Will Comply" meaning 'I will do what you just asked me to do'.

[@eogg25]

I was a radio OP. but never used Phone, strictly Morse code. never had to say WILCO.

[@1badsteed]

Enlisted are not allowed to reply in that manner. Aye, aye (Navy) or Yes sir/ma'am

[@bitsnpieces11]

@@1badsteed The "Wilco" is pretty much for voice radio communication where you have no idea if the other person is an E-2 (private) or an O-10 (general - four star) OR civilian (ham radio), just a convenient means to talk and assure you were understood.

[@stevebrownrocks6376]

The amount of switches, gauges, toggles, etc., are mind-boggling. All of the little things necessary just to get the plane off the ground are making my head spin...😲😵😲

[@daffidavit]

Yeah, today the newest jets and turboprops have FADIC. The computers do the job of the pilots and flight engineers of yesteryear. Those pilots during WWII had a lot of responsibility and had a lot to learn in a short time. So did the tankers and the ship captains and the ......

[@MJLeger-yj1ww]

Now THAT is REAL flying, when they truly flew by the seat of their pants instead of by computer like today! Many of today's pilots can't even land their aircraft without the auto-pilot on, guided in by a glidescope, etc, because they never really learned how! A shame. Computers and flight simulators can be wonderful adjuncts in flying, but they should NEVER take the place of knowing to fly your aircraft without all the gadgets they have today.

[@daffidavit]

@@MJLeger-yj1ww Agreed. But I believe the modern-day General Aviation instrument-rated pilots are safer because of the great equipment that has been introduced by companies like Bendix and Garmin for the GA public. Yes, I agree with you the pilot still needs to be able to do a full approach down to minimums flown my hand. But having a full axis autopilot with digital servos and Garmin G5s can't be beaten. I see today's best instrument pilots as the best "button pushers'" of the day. That does ring a sad tone as well. Should the autopilot go "kaput" and the pilot is not ready, the approach into low minimums can instantly become a JFK Jr. situation, even if flown by experienced pilots. Most GA airplanes only have one autopilot. The airliners usually have three if they wish to do CAT III approaches. BTW, for anybody who thinks GPS LPV approaches are "precision approaches" have you ever wondered why the FAA still won't call them precision approaches? Because you can't do a Cat III approach using LPV. You still need an ILS with a signal beaming right down the centerline. There is an indetectable error on a CAT III with three autopilots required, but an LPV approach can be off centerline and still be considered accurate, but not "precision".

[@horstebreedow8608]

@@daffidavit liar

[@daffidavit]

@@horstebreedow8608 Girly girl.

[@Yankee-wd5kq]

Flying the Martin B-26 would have been a pucker factor ride on landing and takeoff. They had to fly so fast to stay in the air that it would be pretty easy to screw up. I bet it stalled like like a beast too.

[@kevinkehlet1543]

my grandfather wasn't pilot. He was a infantryman who started in North Africa and finished in Germany . Seeing these films reminded me what he had to do for his country.

[@billbright1755]

Once adapted to her over all feel and quirks, like higher landing speed and high stall speed,this plane could and did, do a fine job. And ordnance delivery platform par excellance.

[@awallace7950]

Craig Stevens (the actor being instructed) played "Peter Gunn" (great theme music by Henry Mancini. B-26 reputation during training was ill deserved - Jimmy Doolittle showed the flight schools how to land on one engine, and the B-26's speed kept the crew safer than the less "hot" twin engine bombers when used in combat.

[@DMBall]

Don Porter as the instructor. Less memorably, in Gidget.

[@phillipwilhelm6197]

It was an A-26 that was used in the movie "Always". It was Pete's plane that he used to put out forest fires. Great movie. The opening scene with a PBY is one of the best opening scenes of all time.

[@lesterdumm6477]

Just a beautiful aircraft. My Dad was a crew chief for one of these during the cold war. Used for photo recon at the time. The film is in wonderful condition!

[@Ystadcop]

Respect to your father from a British ex-seviceman.

[@VictorEmmanuelElias]

Great Video, I love the Widow Maker. Thanks for uploading.

[@walteralter9061]

After plane lands safely, ground crew goes back to work, one guy scratches his ass as he walks out of the scene, LOL! Driving one of them beasts was rocket science. Forget one item and you and the crew might not come back. My dad flew B29's and one of my fondest memories as a 3 year old was being hoisted through the nose wheel hatch and into the flight deck, then through the bomb bay tunnel to the radio room. This was a strange and wonderous world of form follows function and is probably why I am logical and methodical and efficient in life.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

That's a very early -B model. You can tell by the propeller spinners, early model double tail stinger, small engine cowl intake scoops, short wings and vertical tail and the nearly neutral wing angle of incidence.

[@versatec1]

THAT WAS GREAT,,,LOVED EVERY SECOND...THANKS

[@aviatorandrew7915]

This is a damn good video for the 1940’s!!

[@foreverdroningon]

What a great video. How different things were. Hey we just landed a plane with fuel rushing out of it lets light a cigarette. Brilliant I really enjoyed this..

[@daffidavit]

I'll bet the flight instructor in this demonstration never would have foreseen that this movie taken by a cameraman using black and white Kodak film would have a document that could go digitally viral someday. Just imagine all the film and videos we now have on record that will be forever preserved for history. Even people 1,000 years from now, assuming we don't have a drastic intervention, will be able to see us as we are today. Imagine being able to see the Egyptians building the Pyramids live and recorded on film. At least our offspring can see what it was like for the first humans to set foot on another world. We are truly living in a new paradigm.

[@jhonlewis5758]

I love that instead of a hood or foggles, they’d just tarp the windows for instrument training.

[@elfdzzkw]

♥️💋wsadpiybcxz

[@1badsteed]

A Jedi's senses flows...

[@nemonewbourne]

Surpassingly Great!

[@treborsf]

The woman at the end was pulling files regarding an intel connection only she recognized and reported that saved thousands of lives, but for the purpose of this film... "Great gams!"

[@sirsydneycamm1883]

It was those gams that got the intel out of the dashingly handsome man only she recognised as a dastardly Nazi spy.

[@rrsteamer]

My late step-father was in ground maintenance on B-26’s during their early deployment in 8th Army Air Force in the UK. He told of a condition that added to plane & crew loss where a number of planes lost their rudders due to faulty pivot pins/brackets. That condition along with the short wing span led to a Congressional investigation where then Missouri Senator Harry Truman, member of an Armed Services or Military Authorization committee traveled to England as part of an investigation to determine responsibility (sabotage or poor design). As has been mentioned, these conditions were corrected, but needless to say, this plane demanded constant attention while in the air. As for the pre-flight check list, it “comes with the territory”. An interesting training vid. C. B. Ahrens

[@Jigaboo123456]

The Yanks have always made superb training films--they did the samrt thing and involved Hollywood. This, i imagine,. was a very complex acting job well done, especially for the pilot, he had a,huge amount of technical lines to deliver as if he understood them all. Jimmy Stewart, who flew a full tour of missions for the USAAF in Europe, would have been the natural choice for this, but great job anyway. Why is the stall speed lower with wheels down? They give no lift, just drag. Anyone?

[@androo9320]

By simple virtue of adding a big, clunky fixture to the overall airframe, you lower all other flight values: top speed, cruising speed, stall speed, etc.. It’s the inverse of what he was saying earlier about the importance of reducing drag immediately after take-off by raising the gear: it adds or subtracts 15-20 mph either way. Btw, by using the word “Yank” I trust you are from the UK? If so I’m slightly tickled by your fascination with our training films! Mainly because I always thought the British(& the Germans, for that matter) were far more clever in their training. Like the stereotypical Lord Flashheart: “Always treat your kite like you treat your girl: Get in her 5 times a day and take her to heaven and back!”

[@Goffas_and_gumpys]

Gotta love the, 'what we're fightin' for' at the end there :-)

[@brucegaylord1318]

My father taught airplane mechanics in WWII , pretty complex, he worked mostly with the P-38.

[@michaelkovalenko1429]

I love this. Incredible professionals. Alas, computers have automated 99% of that.

[@AS-zk6hz]

Had a friend who worked with me he was a tail gunner on one of these he said it was very fast. Difficult to fly but he had a great pilot from Chicago high landing speed When all the bugs were worked out it proved itself. However he said a lot of crews were killed in training. He said there were two smoking wrecks at the end of the runway on one occasion. That on one occasion he was strafing and came upon some people in the road but stopped firing did not kill them it was too personal for him

[@420BulletSponge]

"One a day in Tampa bay". I remember the CAF B-26 crash where I live years ago. It wasn't a very forgiving aircraft

[@tomservo5347]

I like the little humor touch at the end where the Captain runs into the wall because he was drooling over the secretary bent over the file cabinet. LOL So how did the electric props work? Auto pitch control? I've read the B-26 had teething problems with it as well as high take off and landing speeds that novice pilots weren't used to. James Doolittle personally investigated the problems and the next model had increased wing length and surface area to help with controls. A dive speed of 320mph is cooking in a twin engine bomber. What a sexy plane!

[@pappyodanial]

Gonna call my generator a putt putt from now on. Didn't know I was calling it the wrong thing all these years.

[@spectapiece]

@Brasstacks11 I believe you might be thinking of the Douglas A-26/ B-26 Invader, it saw service from WWII to Vietnam, not this Martin B-26 which was done after WWII. Because of the shared designations, they are often confused. Both very nifty aircraft though. You may want to read General James Doolitle's autobiography, it includes how he showed the true capabilites of the much maligned Martin, a hot ship that because of trainee inexperience and crashes caused the saying "one a day in Tampa Bay".

[@RedRocket4000]

Ah reminder why the famous at one time men's softball team from Clearwater Florida is called the Bombers. No traces I know of from those days left as Clearwater resident.

[@geraldhoover1735]

nicknamed {the widow maker} My father flew 63 missions over Germany. Said this airplane would kill you in a moment if you didn't stay right on top of it. Also lived through three crash landings.

[@jamesricker3997]

It was also referred to as the Baltimore Whore. Because Martin main manufacturing plants where in Maryland and because the B-26's thin wings gave it no visible means of support. The B-26 also had the lowest combat lost rate in the Second World War

[@davidbarnett9312]

Wings were too thin and stubby. Extended wings solved the problem.

[@None-zc5vg]

@@davidbarnett9312 Too little wing area to begin with.

[@gregsmith1115]

I thought I saw Capt Porter in some other movies. His teaching authority in the B26 shows he must have been a real AAF pilot back in the day.

[@TeargasHorse]

Certainly the best-looking twin-engine bomber of WW2! Captain taps shoulder "ha, you still fall for that old trick." Hello Captain." "Call me Dick" "Sure will!" Waa waa waa

[@KathrynFortunato]

I love all the guys coming out to see if it crashes - they look disappointed when nothing exciting happens.

[@duradim1]

Mankind hasn't changed a bit.

[@diamonddog257]

that was an ignorant comment; this is a rare and excellent training film for engineers ..... etc oh ... you're a woman.

[@byteme11]

Deadstick landings at training fields tend to be a bit unusual, even if it's only one engine. Can't blame people for being curious. I just couldn't get over the look on the face of Cpl later Pte Smith when he realized he made a mistake that could have cost the aircraft and its occupants. Good how the CO intimated that even after punishment he would retain his job. People make mistakes. They shouldn't define you but there have to be procedures in place to ensure they aren't repeated and that others are aware of the consequences.

[@butchperkins2379]

The one guy scratches his ass as he walks away.....LOL

[@davelubenow7246]

People learn from failures

[@beachcomber2008]

That was wonderful, thanks. That plane was unforgiving if you played with it too much. When fully laden it must have been pretty dangerous at takeoff. I remember hearing of several incidents over the past fifty years. Yes. Wonderful.

[@jmc6230]

These videos are so awesome to watch, shows the dedication our men and women had back then which enabled them to defeat Hitler’s Germany and the Japanese, thank god they did and god bless everyone of them.

[@GaZonk100]

'women'?

[@jmc6230]

@@GaZonk100 yes women helped win the war too, one such group was called WAAF, (women’s auxiliary Air Force) in England , women pilots supported the RAF by delivering planes and supported field operations in multiple capacities.

[@Stllno]

Awesome - thx for sharing!

[@mlaner9283]

HA! I love the last 20 seconds.. some things never change.

[@ctsteve1967]

why should they

[@LiberalTears]

Proud my Great Grandfather flew with the Red Raiders and the 22nd BG! RIP Go USAF!

[@Scrappycat1966]

Outstanding!!! "Keep em flying boys"!!!!!

[@Applecompuser]

I love this stuff. Very informative without feeling like they are talking down tot he audience. Thanks for sharing.

[@perpetualnerd4388]

But OK to through the corporal under the bus? No way...

[@Applecompuser]

@@perpetualnerd4388 I don't follow. What do you mean?

[@FlyNAA]

I love how hard he pounded the importance of the checklist while they were talking outside in the beginning, then they never looked at it again

[@x.y.8581]

How'd they have time for this if there was an incoming guided missile attack?

[@dixievfd55]

@@x.y.8581 I imagine a good crew would run through this quickly.

[@praetor678]

It takes longer to read it out for the camera then to actually do it. And showing the new guy the parts that match up to the checklist also makes it longer. The point is the checklist is important and not following it may be your one and last mistake.