Martin B26B-4 Marauder 41-18150

"Winnie Dee"

B26b-4 Marauder 41-18150, Glenn L. Martin serial no. 2722 was delivered to the US Army between the 7/1/43 and the 28/2/43. It was the 176th of 211 B-4's built. This model featured  lengthened nose-wheel struts, slotted flats, enhanced armour, twin 0.50" tail guns, larger carburettor intakes and two Pratt and Whiney R-2800-43 engines (serial no. 42-50638 and 42-***17) producing 2000hp.

The B26B-4 featured the original short wingspan of 65 feet which earned it the nickname "Flying Prostitute" (so-named because it had no visible means of support, referring to it's small wings.)

Markings on one of the propellers that use to lie on the mountain indicated that it had been fitted with Curtiss electric pitch change props.

41-18150 was originally attached to the 452nd Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, Andrews Field, England. One of it's main pilots during it's time at the 452nd  was Captain Jack Wilson Seale. Jack Seale and Andrew F. Byrd Jr named the plane "Winnie Dee" after Jack's mother while they were training at Macdill Airfield, Florida in April 1943. It served in combat until November 1943 when it was transferred as War Weary to the 3rd CCRC at Toome, N. Ireland.

Before take off on the 10th April 1944 41-18150 had been loaded with 960 gallons of fuel, five bombs and 1050 rounds of ammunition. It had accumulated 449 hours 45 minutes flying time prior to the accident.

        B26B-4 322nd Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Squadron

 B26B-4    Serial Number 41-18014

B26-4 Serial number 41-18141

B26 41-18150 "Winnie Dee"

Photograph supplied by Trevor J Allen

Historian, b26.com

Engine mount from 41-18150 Chimney Rock Mountain.

Rear fuselage B26 41-18150 Chimney Rock Mountain April 1944