B-26 Flak-Bait

- Blurb -

The definitive history of Flak-Bait, the most accomplished American bomber of the Second World War. Battling flak and enemy fighters over the skies of Europe during World War II, the US Army Air Force Martin B-26 Marauder bomber named "Flak-Bait" completed a remarkable 201 combat missions, a feat that made it the highest mission scorer of any Allied medium or heavy bomber. For many years the author has held a special interest in the B-26, and especially those of the 387th Bomb Group. It was during his first visit to the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC, over 20 years ago, where "Flak-Bait' s" nose section was on display, that he became interested in what the aircraft had achieved during her illustrious career. Using official World War II era records, the result is a day-by-day account of the missions it flew, crew lists, flight routes, and weapons dropped, and records any comments made by the various crews during their postmission debriefing. A special photo section features the current restoration display of "Flak-Bait" at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Washington, DC. Correcting previously held perceptions about the aircraft and its missions, this is the most definitive account of any single World War II aircraft' s combat career ever published. AUTHOR: Alan Crouchman has written many aviation articles over the last 35 years, with over 50 published in magazines in the UK and France. He has been involved in researching the Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft for over 40 years and acts as the 387th Bomb Group historian and contact in the UK. Alan, along with Vic Maslen, coauthored the book Mighty Eighth War Diary with renowned author Roger A. Freeman. 200 colour and b/w photographs, aircraft profiles