My Father was a B 26 Pilot out of Willingal in England and then to France. Was flying on D Day. His crew was all still alive until my Father passed in 2013. Met his whole crew and went to a couple of reunions in San Diego and New Mexico. His crew and Dad survived 26 missions. He is the reason I have a Cherokee 180 and 2200 hours in my log book(S) As others have mentioned, He was and still is my Hero. Looking at a picture of him and his whole crew in front of a B-26 that lives on my office wall, I am crying. Right next to that picture is him with his hand on the prop of that B26 at Chino. Thank you Dad

@GUYTRILLAUD

Жыл бұрын

bonjour joe j'ai une heure et demi de vol AVION super moteurs puissants QUE DU BONHEUR

My father worked at Martin Aircraft in Baltimore during the summer of 1942, installing the bomb release mechanisms in B-26 bombers. He was 17 years old and he and three or four other guys commuted almost two hours each way to work there. The entire parking lot was underneath a giant camouflage netting. The pay was great and he made enough that summer to buy a car. I also know a man who was the co-pilot on the first B-26 over Normandy on D-Day. He said that the B-26 was one of the best planes he ever flew.

@SUPRAMIKE18

2 жыл бұрын

My grandad worked at Martin around the early 50s, he was welder on the SeaMaster among other things.

Really cutting-edge videography for the day.

B-26 was such a beautiful aircraft. Timeless lines that still look great in 2021.

@ricardogastmann9688

3 жыл бұрын

I agree... looks like a new... congratulations to the mechanics and specially to Mr. Weeks. I love too this olds machines working... good health for all🇧🇷

@hertzwave8001

3 жыл бұрын

it reminds me of the su-25

@ILSRWY4

3 жыл бұрын

nah... A-26 Invader... now that looks modern, even in 2021~!

@captaindoggo69420

3 жыл бұрын

Yea it does

@seanmcardle

3 жыл бұрын

Ohh I feel the opposite, the proportions and shapes don't feel right to me. Interesting to hear different

My father was an 18 year old gunner on the "Widow Maker" was the second plane over the beach at the Normandy invasion, shot down over Belgium & spent several months as a POW. Said it was the hardest plan to fly & crashed frequently. I can't believe how cramped that plane is. Can you imagine the fear of flying in that with flack all around you & your only a teenager. My dad's long gone. Thanks for the video it's a great reminder of my first hero in life.

@hairycat6095

3 жыл бұрын

one a day in tampa bay

…group shot him down. There were 22 bridges over the Po River in northern Italy. Their B-26 group destroyed 21 of them. B-26 had 2ND lowest loss rate, behind the Mosquito. Highest landing speed of ANY piston-powered aircraft in WWII. Dad’s crew survived crash-landing (flipped on back) at a British-captured airfield near Piza. The Brits cut the crew out of the wreck…one member with a broken arm. The rescuers were amazed at the sturdy nature of that plane. Dad was recognized as “Mr Helicopter…Father of the JetRanger” at the convention in Tampa. Someone asked Kermit if Dad could be honored with a private tour of the B-26. Kermit is just that kind of honorable gentleman…and so he personally escorted Dad up into the machine. Dad passed away in 2017 after years of active affiliation with the B-26 veteran’s club in Ft Worth-Dallas. Thanks always to Kermit and FOF for honoring and preserving this history.

My father flew 68 combat missions in the B26. He was in the 444th of the 320th bomb group. Although he endured 14 crashes due to enemy fire, he never lost a crewman. He flew lead on many missions from North Africa to northern Europe. Thank you for saving this incredible and historic aircraft.

Look how young Kermit is in this video thanks for sharing this warbird.

Boy this sure is vintage footage! Kermit’s hair isn’t even gray. 😂

My grandfather worked at the Glen L Martin Company in Baltimore MD during the war. I am not 100% sure how all he was involved with this bomber never got the chance to ask him or anyone else. But I have tons of drawings of his from odds and ends from this bomber. I have a hand made model he made of the B-26 and a framed Award for Merit from his company thanking him for his work and going far and above what was expected.

My grandfather (engineer) was in charge of subcontracting at Martin's Baltimore B-26 factory in WWII. I have a nice print of the B-26 framed and hanging on my wall. The early version of the plane had the nickname of The Baltimore Whore - because the wings were so small the plane had "no visible means of support". The wings were enlarged in later models. It was a high speed medium bomber - needed to be careful to keep up the air speed to avoid stalling. Beautiful Video.

@travismathews6297

Ай бұрын

My grandfather probably knew and worked with yours as he did the same in the Baltimore factory.

What a marvelous video!! My first Flight instructor was a Marauder pilot in WWII. He didn't talk much about his experiences, but said the B-26 was a very robust Airplane that required real skill to be flown well. He said it was quite unforgiving to even minor complacency up front. He was a great instructor and instilled a lot of that into what he graciously taught me. I personally think the Marauder is the most interesting aircraft in Kermit's collection and wish it was a bit more visible. One of the real "Rare" WWII types with a rather unknown history to many.

Speechless. My favorite bomber of world war 2. Kinda surreal seeing one fly not too long ago. Hope to see it in the sky again someday! Thanks for sharing!

Uncle flew B26s and A26s combat missions over Germany later in the war. He did not have problems flying the planes, but others did in training. It was actually a very good plane.

What a lovely, clean design. One of the best looking twin engined bombers ever, right up there with the DH Mosquito

@manuwilson4695

4 ай бұрын

ABSOLUTELY!!!👍

Oh my.....what an amazing bird. It'll be the mother of all 'Annual Inspections' to get her in the air again.

Very good looking nice plane for sure, but has a reputation of being difficult to fly. I love the looks. In late WWII the area where I live in Germany was heavily bombed by Marauders several times. In the 1970‘s my father owned a small 2-seat sports plane of French design called „Emeraude“. One day an old man came to me and asked, what kind of plane it were. I told him: Emeraude. He misheard and said to me: „You don‘t fool me, son. It is not a Marauder, they are much bigger and have 2 engines. I know exactly how they look and sound, they bombed our house!“

This was great! I just wish my late father-in-law could be here to see this video. He was the bombardier/navigator (bombigator) on B-26's during WWII. His plane was shot down but he bailed out and was helped by partisans to return to American lines and he flew again in a few days.

Thanks so much for posting the video. My father piloted 65 missions over Europe with the 585th Bomb Sqdn. and I like watching any video of the Marauder I can find. He's been gone for 20 years now but in the few years before he died he did share a few of his "adventures" in the B-26, all but one or two were of a non-combat nature. He didn't really ever talk about actual missions except for that one time where two ships from his formation went down due to collision when they were forming up. All crew members were lost. It's a great airplane and thank you for preserving it.

I absolutely love this! Dad flew Marauders (557th BS), starting combat in AUG 1944 through the end of the war. 30 missions.

BEAUTIFUL. She certainly has stage presence.

My father flew the B-26. He was assigned to the 322nd bomb group, flying out of Beauvais, France. He didn’t talk very much about it at all. He flew small private planes for an engineering company in addition to his duties as an engineer. I never thought about it much, other than I knew my dad flew. I have always been proud of my dad and his service. However, After reading the comments about the difficulties of flying the B-26, I am more impressed with his achievements! Thank you for the video.

Wonderful. Thank you. Imma old guy but my dad would tell me about " One a day in Tampa Bay.. ." " The Incredible Prostitute.". These ain't no B-25s. These be nutz. Great Aircraft. Saburo Sakai ( yeah, him...) said in his book, Samurai, he could not believe the courage of the pilots of the Marauders...The War in Europe, gets all of the attention, but the War in the Pacific, was offa the charts.

My father was a Meteorologist in WW2. His squadron commander made non-flying personnel fly one mission a month. He flew 3 missions in the B-26 Marauder. He said he saw more than one crash on takeoff.

@olebiker

3 жыл бұрын

Thus the expression, "One a day in Tampa Bay."

@wrightflyer7855

3 жыл бұрын

@@olebiker I believe that saying was in reference to the short wing B-26A. The B model featured a longer wingspan, increased wing incidence and a larger vertical fin and rudder. The B-26 ended the war with the lowest loss rate of any U.S. bomber. Wright Flyer, USAF (1968-1972).

What a beautiful old girl! Thanks for sharing, Kermit!

Lets get a Kermie cam of this aircraft! I am sure many of us would live to see the inside of it!

I sooo love the lines of a Maurader!

Thanks for posting this! I remember reading about your example when I was a kid!

My Grandpa flew 73 missions in a B26 as an engineer/turret gunner in the 552/386th including two crash landings and DDAY. I’ve been to fantasy of flight three times to see this A/C it’s amazing

My father flew the B26 during WW2 and loved the aircraft. He stayed in Europe ferrying them after the war was over even though he had his 35 missions and could come home.

Free from inspirational music, THANK YOU!

@StudeSteve62

3 жыл бұрын

Well I think the music from those two big radials is pretty inspirational...😁

My father flew a B-26 as a 21 year old Captain in WWII. Although he may have been an outstanding pilot, but her was even a better Dad.

Thanks for sharing Kermit I had an Uncle who flew these during the war and he is the same one responsible for me being a pilot today. Brought back some great memories.

I still think the B 26 Marauder was a most underrated aircraft of ww2 and they sound so dam Good 👍

My wife's great uncle was COL Ashley Woolridge, 320th Bomb Group. 106 missions in a B-26 and survived the war. He became a teacher, I wish I had met him.

I marvel at the OGs who had the skill, nerve, and strength to wield these weapons in defense of our nation and our allies. May you be like them when your moment comes.

So thankful for Kermit Weeks saving so much of the worlds aviation history. I actually didn’t know he had saved a B-26 but really happy he did.

@chrisdavis3642

Жыл бұрын

Yessir! I stumbled across this bird in the late 90s mind blown! Couldn't believe I was really looking at one!! Now im flying one I built in RC had to have it. Early model hybrid. Couldn't afford the fuel for the real one ya know!!

@chriswilson8757

4 ай бұрын

Kermit Weeks has saved many of the Historical Significant Machines, Kermit's long Range forethought including a Flying B26 that has taken Years to complete in as a Genuine example were NO Detail was omitted , if you like the B26 check out Kermit's example you want be disappointed !

My dear friend Leonard Lang said they called it "The Baltimore Whore" because it had "no visible means of support"! The thin wing made it very tricky to fly. His first combat mission over Holland, his aircraft took a direct hit from a flak round. He said, " I was in a turn over a canal to line up on a target, and suddenly I was outside of the airplane, the only person to survive of his crew. Spent the rest of the war in Luft Stalag III.

I was a weapons loader on the A-26 in the 609th SOS (Special Operations Squadron) stationed at NKP Thailand, 1968-69. I saw how much damage they could take and bring the crew home. We flew counter insurgency missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. We called the bird "The Truck Killer". My load crew received the Airman's medal for de-arming a napalm bomb on one of the wing pylons that broke the aft mounting lugs and was spilling napalm on the hot aluminum plate parking ramp. Never did get to fly in one, but we would get on the radio at night and make contacts with hams stateside. Thanks for the memories. George, Sarasota, FL

@KermitWeeks444

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your service!

@georgebecht6357

3 жыл бұрын

@@KermitWeeks444 Thanks for your support.

What a treat seeing that beautiful warship fly! My dad flew B-26s. He turned 100 last November. He's living in Celebration, FL. He was an AAC pilot during WWII. He never went overseas because the war ended just prior to his deployment. However, he always spoke proudly of his time flying both the B-26 AND B-25's. I had the opportunity of visiting Week's museums last year but we were not able to see this ship. I hope to go back and see it sometime.

My Dad helped build these in early 40s in Baltimore MD @ Glenn L Martin before he went in the army in 1943. He more than once said they had to have "little people" go in the wings to hold the rivets so they could rivet and other work because they were small.

I am glad I got to see that plane in the air when it was still flying....

Thanks for that - great to see the B-26. Like so many others on here, my father John Jamison flew in the B-26, for him with SAAF 30 Squadron in northern Italy ... In November 1944 was shot down by AA and made it back to base a few days later. Only had good things to say about the aircraft and American engineering in general! Cheers, Simon J.

Историю надо знать и чтить. Спасибо большое за доставленное удовольствие.

I love watching Kermits videos. It amazes me that he has the collection of rare and super rare warbirds,many airworthy. But it drives me nuts when he spends all the time,effort,money,to get one back in the air only to let them sit in the hangar so long they are un-airworthy again. This is the only time I’ve ever seen a real B-26 Martin Marauder fly in my 67 years as an aviation enthusiast. Maybe Kermit realized it was too valuable to take the chance of damaging it to fly it again? Such a beautiful airplane. One of these days I have to get down to his museum and see it for myself.

@diffened

3 жыл бұрын

fw1421, I think his is the only "airworthy" B-26 left in the world. The problem with flying these old planes is that if you lose power in one engine during takeoff you can lose the whole airplane and crew. They were somewhat inherently dangerous even without flak and enemy fighters shooting at them. Last year a B-17 crashed and was totally destroyed along with the pilot and co-pilot and 5 paying customers were killed.

@georgewhitworth9742

3 жыл бұрын

@@diffened Not really, it comes with the territory of flying. Many General Aviation planes flying today are nearly as old. Look up J-3's, DHC-2 Beavers, etc

@diffened

3 жыл бұрын

@@georgewhitworth9742 Not exactly sure what your point is but mine is this. Of course just because a plane is old doesn't mean it can't be flown. Don't know about the planes you are talking about but one just has to look at the DC-3 to see that old planes can be flown. My point is that the DC-3 is a very safe plane to fly. I personally wouldn't know but have seen many references to what an easy and nice plane it is and is very forgiving of errors. There are also many left. The Marauder on the other hand isn't that way. There is a reason that many B-25's were flown for years after the war in private service and also that there are still many flying now and the B-26 was gotten rid of quickly and very few saw service after the war. It is a harder plane to fly. The B-17 crash was mostly pilot error and poor maintenance but it also meant one less B-17 that was able to be seen by the public. Since this Marauder is one of only a very few left and is the only one that would be able to be put back in flying condition, I don't think it will ever fly again because it is too valuable just as it is.

@pat36a

3 жыл бұрын

@@diffened 909 was a preventable lose of aircraft. Ego and poor maintenance by any standard cought up w/them. What bothers me are the ones that crash w/minimal damage, only burn becouse no one thought to bring fire extinguishers.....

@diffened

2 жыл бұрын

@@pat36a I totally agree. Mac got too old and too confident and the 909 crash shouldn't have happened.

One plane with so many interesting nicknames.

B-26 is my favourite WW2 medium bomber. Spent many years helping run a museum dedicated to the B-26 Bomb Groups in the UK and as a result, came to respect what a great aircraft it was. Also very fortunate to meet a lot of B-26 veterans. That low level beat up made my day.

@eamo106

3 жыл бұрын

Checked Wikipedia , seemed no mention of B-26s operating out of England, but its wrong, had a photo of my mother in Bolton, England with a USA friend standing under one, maybe I am wrong.. .. Looks good and flies good !

@fightersweep

3 жыл бұрын

@@eamo106 There were eight B-26 Bombardment Groups operating out of the UK during WW2. 322nd, 323rd, 344th, 386th, 387th, 391st, 394th and 397th Bomb Groups. Can't understand why Wiki doesn't mention that!

@diffened

3 жыл бұрын

@@eamo106 Yes B-26's flew out of England. The 394th Bomb Group was in Boreham and I am sure there were others.

@fightersweep

3 жыл бұрын

@@diffened Also the 322nd at Andrewsfield, 323rd at Earls Colne, 397th at Rivenhall, 344th at Stansted, 386th at Great Dunmow, 387th at Chipping Ongar and 391st at Matching Green. As one B-26 veteran said to me, "Essex was Marauder County".

@eamo106

3 жыл бұрын

@@diffened Lost the photo but recall certifying that it was a B-26 operating out of England, Wikipedia not always right ! Thanks mate !

What a beauty. Extremely rare bird.

Great video. My dad piloted B26s out of England and later France. As others have said he didn't talk about it much, but what a life changing experience that had to have been. He's one of the ones who came back every mission.

Dude you have about the coolest life I could ever imagine, flying the most legendary aircraft in all the world, of all time

The best looking twin engined American bomber of WW2. Hats off to those who restored and fly her. 🙏

OMG that fly buy at 7:35!! I had to hold to my seat for it.... wow Kermit!! ;-) thank you for sharing!! Absolutely incredible.

@diffened

2 жыл бұрын

kode71, Yes, that was a nice maneuver and the camera caught it perfectly. I've played that clip several times. Wish there were more video of the B-26 flying.

Beautiful just beautiful.

My grandfather flew 43 Combat Missions in the ETO in this aircraft (344th BG 9th AF). He called it “a Helluva piece of hardware.” Too bad their so rare these days.

That thing is a Beautiful Monster.

The B26 is a type which doesn't get much publicity here in the UK. The RAF used it with great success in the Mediterranean theatre but mostly we hear about B17s and B24s. Always thought it was a rather out of proportion looking aircraft with a fuselage too fat for the wings and a tail that looked a bit like an afterthought. Then I watched this video. What a gorgeous aeroplane! Thanks for the upload......a type we don't see much of.

I didn't know that the Marauder was a so dynamic airplane. Impressive.

@lwilton

3 жыл бұрын

They advertised that it was close to fighter performance in many cases.

I saw this airplane at Sun n' Fun years ago. I was impressed at how fast and quiet it was. I hope to see it again someday.

Thank you, Kermit! So nice to see the Marauder in flight

So disappointed Fantasy of Flight was closed last week when I was down in Florida. Even stoped at the gate like a stalker. Until my next vacation, and yes I will check the calendar online for dates open first.

Remembered learning about this Martin B26 Marauder Light Bomber in the Airfix modeler magazine in the late 1970s! Thank You So Much Flight of Fantasy of bringing back so much memories & educating the young ones about WWII Fighters & Bombers that flew during the actual WWII! ... 🌷🌿🌎💖

Brings a tear to my eye. It really does. I have a jacket of a guy who did 63 missions in one of these as a pilot. Really means something.

@diffened

2 жыл бұрын

spitfireace57, He may have flown 65. My father flew 65 missions but his jacket only has 63 bombs on it. He just didn't bother to have the last two added after he was finished. What bomb group was he with? cheers

The plane is so streamlined for WWII times.. .it is like, ahead of its time. What a mysterious dangerous aircraft. God bless!!! and thanks Mr. Kermit!

WOW! Gonna run this a BUNCH of times with the sound turned up in the shop! It's something just to see a Marauder fly, but to have it captured so well in high quality...just fantastic!

Thanks Kermie, just made my weekend !

@eamo106

3 жыл бұрын

Hope Kermie can fly something soon post covid. This guy is an aviation hero outwith the Software and other billionaires who seem to out buy Aviation and Auto enthusiasts, putting machines they love beyond our dreams.

Finally, after all those years back in Chino, I see her fly!

Never stop flying these classics.

How I'd wish for a Kermi cam. There's something beautiful about the Martin B-26. Everytime I go to FoF I eagerly anticipate seeing her. Thank you Kermit for this awesome video.

I move to Auburndale just to be close to this place last year. I really hope to see this magnificent place back to 100%. The other day I think a B-17 was flying over my hose. It was amazing

Always great footage! What can't this guy fly?? what a pilot!

Jesus ! that take-off, good Lord...

What's really amazing is... That this is a really early model.. built before the wing and horizontal stabilizer where lengthind to give the improved envelope of stability that was causing ' some ' of the problems for new pilots.. it was what was known as a hot ship!!! Due to takeoff and landing speeds . Kermit deserves way more respect than the average fruit bat just for the dedication and knowledge required simply to fly this machine let alone the complete restoration process!! Mind-blowing!! I couldn't afford the real thing but flying a 26 in radio control also the early model .. GOD bless all..

What a gorgeous hot rod of a bomber. Designed more like an air racer than a delivery platform, such an amazing aircraft.

@StudeSteve62

3 жыл бұрын

At least one Marauder did race, in the 1949 Bendix transcontinental event...iirc it didn't finish.

The US light and medium bombers of WWII the A-20, A-26, B-25 and B-26 were absolutely gorgeous aircraft! This one is no exception.

Absolutely amazing to see

What a beautiful air plane ,it looks and sounds like a hotrod ! My uncle was a top turret gunner in a B26 . He said for therapy , he would walk through the plane after every mission , and sort through the spent rounds and find the flak pieces and put them in a shoe box . He brought home 3 shoe boxes.

@guaporeturns9472

3 ай бұрын

Can you post a video/pictures of all that flak shrapnel?

Super clean burning Motors not a bit of smoke 👍🏻😎

Fantastic footage of the aircraft doing low and loud passes over the airfield. It must be great being able to 'dust up' your own airfield and know that the only person you will have to answer to is yourself.

WOW! Amazing! Had no idea there were any air worthy B-26s still flying! Probably the most impressive War bird I’ve seen since they grounded the Vulcan! Love it!!!🇺🇸👍🏼

@davidjose9808

2 жыл бұрын

I saw the Vulcan fly in Texas, on tour, after the Falklands War. Our farm is right next to Randolph AFB. I sat in a lawn chair in our pasture as the great bat-like beast did incredibly tight turns at low altitudes. The screeching of the engines was unearthly and awesome. After watching T-37s and T-38s next door for years….this was something I will never forget. The ground seemed to move as the aircraft pivoted overhead…almost suspended.

I could just listen to it run all day… what a beauty

The embodiment of beauty in american aircraft design.

Its so cool to see that B26 fly . You see a fair amount of B25s . My uncle flew as the top turret gunner in a B26 . It's a beautiful plane , looks like a hotrod as far as planes go .

What a beauty

A P-40 pilot told me that he flew some exhibition flights after the War. They had the B-26s fly in a large circle so that the P-40s could cut inside the circle, which is the only way they could keep up with the B-26s. It was a great airplane that deserves to be remembered.

@donnasnell7875

3 жыл бұрын

If it was after WW2, then those were probably Douglas A-26s, later renamed to B-26s.

@buzbuz33-99

3 жыл бұрын

Perhaps. But he said B-26, not A-26. These flights were part of a series of post-war exhibition/celebration flights conducted by the USAAF (supposedly cancelled after some incident in Waco TX). They could been flying P-40s and B-26s prior to sending them to the scrapyard.

...what a beauty....

yes ! - just pure unadulterated vintage bomber aircraft goodness!!! Great!

What a thrill it must have been to see and hear, let alone fly, a Marauder. One of my big childhood memories is my mum buying me a Monogram Snap-Tite B-26 kit to keep me busy on a roadtrip. It would amazing to see this machine run again.

What! there is still one flying! WOOOOT

What an absolute beauty. Thank you for uploading this video.

Excellent. Thank you for sharing

One of the coolest looking twin engine bombers ever made. Someday soon, would love a flight in one of these beauties.

@diffened

3 жыл бұрын

Craig Pennington, I believe there is only one air worthy B-26 in the world and that is this one owned by Weeks and I think it is no longer flown.

@craigpennington1251

2 жыл бұрын

@@diffened Too bad. It's just gorgeous and needs to be operated once in a while. But it is what it is and we have to live with it.

@diffened

2 жыл бұрын

@@craigpennington1251 I would agree with you. I wish more were preserved but yes, it is what it is. I think that especially younger people should be aware of these old war planes. We can be happy that this one was saved by someone who had the money, the knowhow and the dedication to do it.

What a monster!

Must have built a dozen models of the B-26 as a kid, lol. I thought it was the sexiest of the mid size bombers. She was unforgiving of inexperienced pilots, but what a beauty! Thanks for sharing this rare beast with us.

so great to see video where the proper shutter speed is used so the props look correct instead of strobing, hats off to the videographers....

Mom and Dad both worked at the Martin plant, she was a secretary and he was a drafts man, he drew up the schematics for the bomb bay doors. My mom earned the nickname B29 because of her ample bosom. My father also did the artwork on Jimmy Doolitles' plane for the raid on Toyko, a jackass with Hitlers face on the ass and Hirohetos face on the head, the General staff didn't approve and had it removed, Doolittle loved it and had it put back on before the flight in Hawaii.

Thanks for sharing the video. The B26 will always be a favorite airplane because my dad worked at Glenn L Martin during WW2 building the B26. Not many left in the world and maybe only yours flying

Awesome footage! please get it flying again!

Beautiful plane, and fast. So many birds flying. I'm glad someone grew up to do what you do Kermit.

What a good looking airplane🇺🇸👍

Cool video! My brother in laws dad was a crewman on a b 26 during ww2, was shot down & was a guest of the Germans! Thank you for all you do Kermit, you bring these old birds to life. They should never be forgotten.