B-26 was a notoriously difficult plane to fly. Most of the crews trained at MacDill Field in Tampa (now MacDill AFB). The unofficial motto during World War II was “one a day in Tampa Bay,” reflecting the number of crews who crashed leaning to fly the B-26.
Wrong B-26. There were two.
The first was the Martin B-26 Marauder. Also known as the Baltimore Whore for its temperamental flying qualities and short wings (no visible means of support). This was the one that coined the phrase “one a day in Tampa Bay”, and required Jimmy Doolittle to come in and teach crews how to safely fly it.
The other was the Douglass A-26 Invader, which was reclassified as a medium bomber (thus B-26) following the withdrawal of the B-26 Marauder from service following WWII. This is the one that flew in Korea and Vietnam. Where the political sensitivities of the term “Bomber” led to it being reclassified AGAIN, back to Attack (A-26)
You are confusing the Douglas B-26K Invader (originally known as the A-26 Invader) with the Martin B-26 Marauder.
During one 30 day-period, 15 Maruaders were lost in training accidents.
Cheers...Chris
That was the B-26 Marauder. High wing loading, but once mastered the B-26 had lowest attrition in WWII.
For whatever reason, the Army Air Corp gave the same designation to the Douglas B-26/A-26. The only time it has happened. Some say it was their embarrassment over the Marauder.
That was the WWII b-26 in Tampa Bay, not the A-26. It was the old B-26that was the hard to fly one. The Baltimore whore.