Martin Marauder Mk.III - Pirates of the Mediterranean (iv)

Suggestions Aircraft
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Would you like to see the Marauder Mk.III in game?
  • Yes, as a tech tree vehicle
  • Yes, as a premium vehicle
  • Yes, as an event vehicle
  • Yes, as a squadron vehicle
  • No, I would not like to see the Marauder Mk.III in game.
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🇬🇧 Marauder Mk.III 🇬🇧

Given caption: “A Brand new B26 on the ramp at Martin Field, Baltimore undergoing final checks prior to delivery to the U.K.” (source)

Martin Marauder Family in British Service

 

TL;DR

  • The last of the B-26 variants taken into RAF service
  • Advanced fast medium bomber of the Second World War
  • The ultimate Marauder variant, but also the slowest and with the lightest bomb load
  • Able to carry British bombs

Why it should be in the game: The Marauder Mk.III is pretty interesting. At the time of writing it would be unique for its new wing compared to the existing B-26, though other air forces fielded the B-26F/G. What sets the Mk.III apart is its ability to carry British bombs, which results in different payload choices in battle compared to American bombs (though it can still use those.) In fact, with custom loadouts, it might even be able to bring both. Balancing it is an interesting question, as despite being the later aircraft and superior for crew safety in real life, its characteristics in game may be less desirable. Regardless, I think the Marauder Mk.III would be a fun addition to the researchable tech tree along with the Marauder Mk.I.


History

Given caption: “Marauder Mark III, HD402, of the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire.” (source)

      The Marauder Mk.III was the most uniquely British variant of the Marauder family due to new internal equipment and facilities to carry British ordnance. But first, the aircraft itself. Throughout the Marauder’s career, it had been a very “hot” aircraft in the sense that the compromises made for a high speed design meant accidents would be harder to recover from or even survive. Experienced crews could work wonders, but the attrition rates of more novice pilots were unacceptable for the USAAF. In desperation to alleviate the issue, Martin began constructing the B-26F, whose wing had an increased angle of incidence compared to the standard Marauder (which, ironically enough, had its wing at an angle of incidence already, to little avail.) In other words, the wings were tilted to create more lift by being less in line with the airstream. This had a noticeable affect on the aircraft’s top speed, but also its crew safety. Though not the most numerous of the Marauder variants, it was the most stable in flight. As part of the upgrades, the rear bomb bay, which had long had an optional fuel tank, was converted into a dedicated fuel tank. The fixed machine gun which protruded through the bombardier’s windscreen was also removed. Whether to replenish combat strength or in order to supply new squadrons, the RAF ordered 350 Marauder Mk.IIIs. Specific to these British aircraft were British instrumentation, bomb fusing equipment, bomb sights, and AN-B-9 bomb shackles enabling the use of British ordnance.

The Italian cruise liner Rex was tracked down by Marauder Mk.III aircraft of 14 Squadron in September of 1944. She was unarmed and uncrewed. As she was believed to be an instrument in a desperate attempt to block the harbor at Trieste, RAF Beaufighters attacked and sunk her with rockets.

      The Marauder Mk.III first entered service with 14 Squadron, who had already been operating the previous Marauder variants for nearly two years, in mid-1944. Immediately, the aircraft were put to work performing the same duties as other Marauders – mainly reconnaissance in 14 Squadron’s case. One mission involving the Mk.III was the search for the Italian cruise liner Rex. Originally laid up in 1940, she was moved to Pola sometime prior to September 1944, where she stayed for a while. However, that month, she disappeared. It was thought that Rex would be scuttled in the mouth of the Trieste harbor, and she was to be found and destroyed before it could do so. On September 6, she was spotted being towed coming from the Adriatic by a 14 Squadron Marauder before contact was lost due to poor conditions. Two days later, Marauder Mk.III HD468 found Rex stationary offshore and reported her position. After escaping anti-aircraft fire from nearby enemy destroyers and merchant vessels, HD468 flew to Ancona, where she was tasked to return to the Rex’s location and record the aftermath of the RAF’s strike. With the position data that HD468 recorded, a strike force of Beaufighters escorted by Mustangs was able to sink the Rex and stop it from being used against the allies.

Given caption: “SAAF and RAF crews of No. 25 Squadron SAAF gather by their Martin Marauders in a dispersal at Biferno, Italy, prior to taking off on a daylight bombing sortie. Members of the South African Native Military Corps can be seen moving 250-lb GP bombs from the bomb train in the foreground.” (source)

      The Marauder Mk.III did not have too much time to shine with 14 Squadron, as they converted to Wellingtons in England in October of 1944. 39 Squadron converted to Marauders not long after in December of 1944. They would be dispatched to work with 25 Squadron SAAF in assisting partisan forces led by Tito during the Balkan Campaign. Initially, German flak was extremely heavy and many aircraft were damaged (though none shot down.) By the end of the war, the Wehrmacht had bigger problems than the Balkans, and opposition faded, enabling Marauders to ramp up their operations. SAAF Marauders were also active in Italy at this time. 39 Squadron flew until the start of May 1945, with the last B-26 operation of any air force occurring on May 4. The Marauder did not overstay its welcome once hostilities ceased as it was retired by the RAF once 39 Squadron disbanded in September 1946.


Specifications

Marauder Mk.III

Dimensions:

  • Length: 56 ft 1 in (17.09 m)
  • Span: 71 ft 0 in (21.64 m)
  • Height: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)

Weight:

  • 24,000 lb (10,886 kg) empty
  • 37,000 lb (16,783 kg) maximum

Propulsion: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 Double Wasp

  • 2,000 hp each; 4,000 hp total (takeoff)

Maximum speed:

  • 277 mph (446 km/h) @ 15,000 ft (4,572 m)

Armament:

  • Guns:
    • 4 x 1 .50 caliber AN/M2 Browning fixed forward firing machine guns (200-250 rds./gun; 900 total)
    • 1 x 1 .50 caliber AN/M2 Browning machine gun in a flexible nose mount (270 rounds)
    • 2 x 1 .50 caliber AN/M2 Browning machine gun on waist gunner mounts (240 rds./gun; 480 total)
    • 1 x 2 .50 caliber AN/M2 Browning machine gun in powered tail turret (800 rds./gun; 1,600 total)
    • 1 x 2 .50 caliber AN/M2 Browning machine gun in powered dorsal turret (400 rds./gun; 800 total)
  • Bombs:
    • Up to 2 x 2,000 lb American bomb
    • Up to 4 x 1,000 lb American bomb
    • Up to 4 x 1,000 lb British bomb
    • Up to 6 x 600 lb American bomb
    • Up to 6 x 500 lb British bomb
    • Up to 10 x 300 lb American bomb
    • Up to 10 x 250 lb British bomb
    • Up to 20 x 100 lb American bomb

Crew: 7 (pilot, copilot, bombardier, radio operator/navigator, upper turret gunner/camera operator, waist gunner, tail gunner)

Additional equipment:

  • Bomb sight
  • EFS

Sources

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