Pacific Profiles Volume 15 (Paperback)
Allied Bombers: B-26 Marauder series Australia;New Guinea and the Solomons 1942-1945
Pages: 108
Illustrations: fully illustrated;colour
ISBN: 9780645700497
Published: 20th July 2024
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The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII profiles of Allied and Japanese aircraft which served throughout the Australia;New Guinea and Solomons theatres. This Volume 15 covers the B-26 and US Navy JM Marauder series which served in these theatres from their first delivery to Australia in April 1942 until the war’s end. Marauders served with a total of six USAAF bomber squadrons;including the reformed 19th BS Silver Fleet;whilst US Navy JM-1 and JM-2 variants were operated by utility squadrons from March 1944 onwards.
Most profiles are presented for the first time;alongside markings derivations;including unit heraldry and codes. This volume bridges vast gaps in accurate Marauder markings profiles in these theatres;especially those which served with the Thirteenth Air Force and USN. Each profile is supported by photos and/or documentation;along with a brief history of each aircraft. Wide-ranging primary reference material is cited including assignment data;wreck reports;squadron records;colour photography;maintenance logs;diaries and factory markings specifications. A brief summary history of each unit and associated markings rationale accompanies the text.
The author is world renowned for his expertise on the Pacific air war. Never before has the Pacific Marauder been illustrated with such breadth;accuracy and detail.
I suspect I am not the only aviation enthusiast who is more familiar with the story of the B-26 Marauder and its' service as a medium bomber in Western Europe during WW2, so it is interesting to learn more about the service of the B-26 in the Pacific theatre of war. After an introduction which gives some useful background before leading into 13 chapters of detail and 84 colour profiles of Marauders in service with the various units which served in the region, along with plenty of unit heraldry as well. Starting with a chapter devoted to the basic Marking & Technical Notes on Marauders as used in the Pacific, it goes on with chapters which give a summary of the operational stories of the 69th, 70th, 2nd, 19th, 33rd and 408th Bombardment Squadrons, the 22nd Bombardment Group. Add more on the 19th Bombardment Squadron "the Silver Fleet", the US Navy Utility Squadrons, which used them for mostly transport duties, another focusing on Squadron Commanders, before rounding off with one devoted some Unique Marauders and another on the Four Lives of 40-1549.
Military Model Scene
In addition to the profiles, all of which have individual notes on the specific aircraft, there are maps and plenty of archive photographs. One modern photo shows the wreck of one B-26 which still lies in the swamp it crashed into back in 1942. As well as the unique markings, even the different crew positions used in these aircraft in the Pacific to those used in Europe are explained. Ideal for modellers as well as aviation historians, there is lots to enjoy in the latest addition to the series.