Would you like to see this in-game?
Which model of the XB-26E would you like to see implemented? (Multiple choice; choose up to 4)
XB-26E #1 41-13680 (Forward-relocated dorsal turret)
XB-26E #2 41-31672 (Gunship/strafer version; 2 x 37 mm forward-firing guns & 10 x .50-caliber MG)
XB-26E #3 42-43459 (Improved defensive turrets and wing guns; forward-relocated dorsal turret)
I want all XB-26E models
Don’t care, just gimme any XB-26E model
I said “No” in the first poll
Note: On this first XB-26E aircraft (originally B-26C-5-MO, serial 41-34680), the dorsal turret was relocated forward.
Martin XB-26E Marauder
Hello everybody, I’d like to suggest the family of mysterious and lesser-known XB-26E Marauders for the US aviation tree in War Thunder. This particular variant is especially obscure, with only three aircraft ever experimentally modified under the “E” designation, so any additional details, photos, or information would be greatly appreciated here.
History
The history of the experimental “XB-26E” project for those three Marauders with the ‘E’ designation is somewhat confusing. There were three bombers unofficially carrying the XB-26E or B-26E designation. These experimental Marauders would undergo significant modifications that sought to explore the improvement in the bomber’s performance.
The first aircraft associated with the designation was B-26C-5-MO (serial 41-34680), nicknamed Gypsy Rose. Taken off the Omaha production line in January 1943, it underwent an extensive weight-reduction program. Engineers stripped the aircraft of nonessential equipment, including the navigator’s seat, most radios, the entire oxygen system, heated clothing outlets, rear bomb racks, and even the onboard toilet. In total, over 2,600 pounds were removed, making Gypsy Rose far lighter and more responsive than a standard B-26C. One of the most notable changes was the relocation of the Martin dorsal turret, which was moved forward above the radio operator’s compartment. This not only improved its field of fire but unexpectedly enhanced the bomber’s handling in flight. Tested at Wright Field in March 1943, this modified Marauder was informally dubbed the XB-26E by Army engineers.
The second aircraft, referred to as the B-26E, was B-26B-15-MA (serial 41-31672), nicknamed Pistol Packin’ Mama! This Marauder was modified into a dedicated ground-attack platform. Its glazed bomber nose was replaced with a solid nose mounting two 37 mm cannons and two .50 caliber machine guns, supplemented by four more .50s in fuselage gun packs. Additional windows were cut into the nose for improved downward visibility, and armor plating was added around crew stations. Further modifications included four wing-mounted .50 caliber guns, extended engine nacelles with cooling scoops, and a horn-balanced rudder. It was even tested with a double-tube rocket launcher beneath the fuselage. Flight trials showed these changes did not seriously affect performance, but the arrival of the P-47 Thunderbolt and heavily armed B-25 Mitchell “strafer” variants made this specialized B-26E redundant, so this development did not progress further.
The third and final aircraft linked to the designation was B-26B-40-MA (serial 42-43319), nicknamed Wild Willie II. This aircraft was built upon the earlier Gypsy Rose modifications, incorporating the forward-relocated dorsal turret while also experimenting with revised armament layouts. A photograph shows Wild Willie II with twin .50 caliber guns in the glazed nose and four additional .50 caliber guns in the wings. Like Pistol Packin’ Mama!, it also featured extended nacelles, engine scoops, and a horn-balanced rudder. It served as a further development of a “lightweight Marauder” with improved defensive and offensive capability.
While testing of the lighter, forward-turret Marauders demonstrated advantages in flights, the Army ultimately judged the changes too costly to implement. Reworking production lines for these improvements would have disrupted output at a time when large numbers of standard Marauders were urgently needed. As a result, the B-26E concept was shelved and never entered production.
Specifications
Martin XB-26E Marauder
Number Built: 3
General Characteristics
Crew: 6 (Pilot, copilot, bombardier, navigator/radio operator, and gunners)
Dimensions:
Length: 58 ft 3 in (17.75 m)
Height: 21 ft 5 in (6.53 m)
Wingspan: 71 ft (21.64 m)
Wing Area: 659 sq ft (61.22 sq m)
Propeller:
Type: 2 x 4-bladed Curtiss Electric constant-speed, full-feathering
Diameter: 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m)
Powerplant:
Type: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 Double Wasp engines with 2-speed superchargers
Power Output: 1,920 hp (1,432 kW) each @ takeoff (3,840 hp / 2,864 kW total)
Fuel Capacity:
Main tanks in wings: 2 x 380 US gal (1,438 L)
Auxiliary tanks in wings: 2 x 121 US gal (458 L)
Total: 1,002 US gal (3,793 L) self-sealing
Total oil capacity: 83 US gal (314 L)
Weight:
Basic: 22,700 lb (10,296 kg)
Combat: 37,000 lb (16,783 kg)
Max. Takeoff: 38,200 lb (17,327 kg)
Flight Performance
Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.10 hp/lb (0.17 kW/kg)
Max Speed:
Sea Level: 270 mph (435 km/h)
5,000 ft (1,524 m): 285 mph (459 km/h)
10,000 ft (3,048 m): 278 mph (447 km/h)
15,000 ft (4,572 m): 282 mph (454 km/h)
Wing Loading: 56 lb/sq ft (274 kg/sq m)
Climb Performance:
Rate of Climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.10 m/s)
Time to Altitude: 23 minutes to 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
Service Ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Range: 1,200 miles (1,931 km)
Armament
Turrets:
Nose: 1 x 0.50-in (12.7 mm) MG (270 rds)
Upper Turret: 2 x 0.50-in (12.7 mm) MGs (400 rpg; 800 rds total)
Waist Positions: 2 x 0.50-in (12.7 mm) MGs (240 rpg; 480 rds total)
Tail Turret: 2 x 0.50-in (12.7 mm) MGs (800 rpg; 1,600 rds total)
Bombs:
2 x 2,000-lb
2 x 1,500-lb AP
4 x 1,000-lb
8 x 500-lb
12 x 250-lb
30 x 100-lb
Torpedo:
XB-26E #1 , ex-B-26C-5-MO 41-34680, Gypsy Rose
XB-26E #2 , ex-B-26B-15-MA 41-31672, Pistol Packin’ Mama!
Images
Note: On this XB-26E aircraft, the dorsal turret was probably remained in the original position or had not yet been relocated forward. Observe the two .50-caliber machine guns in the left wing.
XB-26E #3 , ex-B-26B-40-MA 42-43319, Wild Willie II
Images
Note: On this XB-26E aircraft, the dorsal turret had not yet been relocated or fitted forward. Observe the improved nose turret and the two .50-caliber machine guns in the left wing. XB-26E #2 Pistol Packin’ Mama! was seen in the background.
Rare Footages
An XB-26E, serial 41-13680, was filmed in training footage. The aircraft appears in flight beginning at the 38-second mark and continuing until 1:43. An uncropped original version of the footage, albeit in poor quality, can be found below:
Related Suggestions
Marauder Family:
Sources
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
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Pistol Packin’ Mama with the nose art please Gaijin!
PPM and WW are BOTH needs for me! I love crazy ground attack modifications. Cannons, machine guns, and rocket launchers! +1
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