Flak Bait being restored at Hazy (National Air and Space Museum)

[JamieDimonsBalls]

I'm sure @Marvin the Martian knows about it, but what a cool story that I don't remember from my days of WWII research and interest.

A detailed account of the restoration of B-26 Marauder ‘Flak-Bait’, the Only US warplane to Survive 200 Bombing Missions during World War II - The Aviation Geek Club

A detailed account of the restoration of B-26 Marauder ‘Flak-Bait’, the Only US warplane to Survive 200 Bombing Missions during World War II

theaviationgeekclub.com

When World War II ended in 1945, a Martin B-26 Marauder named Flak-Bait had flown 201 combat missions — more than any other US plane in the conflict.

Flak-Bait lived up to its name during the war. It sustained hits on almost every mission, once having its hydraulics shot out, and twice losing its electrical system to German 88mm guns. On two other sorties, it returned home on only a single engine.

By war’s end, the bomber endured more than 1,000 strikes. Not a single panel on it had gone unscathed.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

I'm sure @Marvin the Martian knows about it, but what a cool story that I don't remember from my days of WWII research and interest.

A detailed account of the restoration of B-26 Marauder ‘Flak-Bait’, the Only US warplane to Survive 200 Bombing Missions during World War II - The Aviation Geek Club

A detailed account of the restoration of B-26 Marauder ‘Flak-Bait’, the Only US warplane to Survive 200 Bombing Missions during World War II

theaviationgeekclub.com

When World War II ended in 1945, a Martin B-26 Marauder named Flak-Bait had flown 201 combat missions — more than any other US plane in the conflict.

Flak-Bait lived up to its name during the war. It sustained hits on almost every mission, once having its hydraulics shot out, and twice losing its electrical system to German 88mm guns. On two other sorties, it returned home on only a single engine.

By war’s end, the bomber endured more than 1,000 strikes. Not a single panel on it had gone unscathed.

I hadn't heard its story, that is incredible to take that many hits without any downing the plane. I wonder how many of her crew died.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

I hadn't heard its story, that is incredible to take that many hits without any downing the plane. I wonder how many of her crew died.

Wiki has:

Despite the level of damage it received, none of Flak-Bait's crew were killed during the war and only one was injured



Here's more on it, with some conflicting info, but doesn't sound like any crew perished.

This World War II Bomber Took More Enemy Fire Than Most Others and Always Came Home

Known for its memorable April 17, 1945 mission, the B26 bomber 'Flak-Bait' undergoes preservation at the National Air and Space Museum

www.smithsonianmag.com

Here's a cool video:

 

[TomEric4756]

“Twelve O’Clock High“ and “Command Decision“ focused on the B-17 — clearly the 8th Air Force medium bomber stories are under told.

 

[kurt cloverdales]

anderson cooper

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

anderson cooper

Pancakes

 

[CO. Hoosier]

I'm sure @Marvin the Martian knows about it, but what a cool story that I don't remember from my days of WWII research and interest.

A detailed account of the restoration of B-26 Marauder ‘Flak-Bait’, the Only US warplane to Survive 200 Bombing Missions during World War II - The Aviation Geek Club

A detailed account of the restoration of B-26 Marauder ‘Flak-Bait’, the Only US warplane to Survive 200 Bombing Missions during World War II

theaviationgeekclub.com

When World War II ended in 1945, a Martin B-26 Marauder named Flak-Bait had flown 201 combat missions — more than any other US plane in the conflict.

Flak-Bait lived up to its name during the war. It sustained hits on almost every mission, once having its hydraulics shot out, and twice losing its electrical system to German 88mm guns. On two other sorties, it returned home on only a single engine.

By war’s end, the bomber endured more than 1,000 strikes. Not a single panel on it had gone unscathed.

When I was a kid, my dad worked with a WW Ii vet who was an accomplished military artist. He did pencil sketches and I had several. My absolute favorite was his sketch of the Martin Marauder. I thought that was the coolest-looking plane.