“Flak
Bait”
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
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I am looking for an investor to help me publish this print. The painting is complete.
I know that there are several B-26 groups out there so if your group wants to help me in the publication of this print please let me know.
Below is a rough draft of the history of this famous medium bomber.
The Martin B-26 was rushed in its development from concept to creation. The Marauder was on the drawing board and was un-flown and untested in 1939 when the first order from Washington for the medium bomber arrived.
The
Marauder’s first flight was in November 1940. The design was radical in its
streamlined fuselage resembling a torpedo with two large engines, stubby wings
and a tail. With its fast speed and short stubby wings the
The
speed of the Marauder was quite adequate with the Army Air Force need for an
aircraft to get to the target quickly and evade enemy aircraft with pure speed.
The Marauder could fly up to 300mph after dropping its bomb load giving the B-26
an edge with FW-190’s and Bf 109’s trying to catch up.
The Marauder saw combat for the first time in April 1942 against the Japanese at Rabaul. The Marauder also saw combat at the “Battle of Midway” in attacking the Japanese fleet with torpedoes that were jury-rigged onto the aircraft for the attack. Of the two Marauders that attacked the Japanese fleet, one Marauder was lost and the other returned with battle damage. The B-26 attack concerned the Japanese commanders in the aggressiveness of the American aviators.
The Marauder was introduced into the European theatre at the end of 1942. The heavy armament, speed and long range gave the Army Air Force a heavy duty medium bomber that could deliver bombs on target and get the crews home hurting the enemy in the process.
The
Marauder above is the most famous of the surviving B-26’s of World War II.
“Flak Bait” flew with the 322nd Bombardment Group of the 9th
Air Force. “Flak Bait” was damaged in battle over 1000 times while flying an
amazing 202 combat missions.
During a mission on railway yards at Amiens, France “Flak Bait” was hit by a 20mm anti aircraft shell that blew out the instrument panel severely wounding the pilot. Despite the pain, loss of blood and loss of his flying instruments the pilot was able to bring “Flak Bait” home with the rest of the crew safe.
Showing the newly painted invasion stripes on the rear spine of the fuselage and dominating the upper and lower wings, “Flak Bait” flew its 101st and 102nd missions in support of the “D-Day” invasion of France.
“Flak Bait” was the third Marauder to break 100 missions flown. Crews for “Flak Bait” came and went with “Flak Bait” becoming a weathered work- horse. “Flak Bait” was accepted begrudgingly by new crews who wanted to see combat in new aircraft. This Marauder would prove to the new crews that looks are deceiving after 202 combat missions and over 1000 battle scars.
“Flak Bait” flew its 200th mission on April 16, 1945. “Flak Bait had now flown 177,460 miles consuming approximately 157,850 gallon of aviation gasoline. By V-E Day, “Flak Bait” had logged 717 hours of combat flight time. Six missions were flown by “Flak Bait” as decoy for other flights of Allied bombers.
“Flak Bait” is currently on exhibit at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. The only completely restored flying B-26 is located at the Fantasy of Flight Museum located in Lakeland, Florida.
This is a great photo.
Below
are photos of my painting as it progressed.
These are poor quality photos but if someone or a group is interested in helping me publish a print of the B-26 Flak Bait please call me.
Its Finished!!!
I am looking for someone to buy this painting so I can use the monies to publish a print of "Flak Bait."
Who ever buys the original painting will also get 200 poster prints.
All research, writings and artwork are by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.
No one is permitted to republish any part of this story with out my personal permission.
Please call or e-mail me for any use of this story.
I do not mind sharing, I do not mind people or groups linking to this page, I just need to register them on my "LINKS" page. Thanks!
Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette
904-282-4198
2-22-07