Marauder in France on the move

[Pat Carry]

I dont think this has been mentioned here before but the May issue of Fly Past is reporting the B-26 Marauder 44-68219 currently on display at the Musee de l' Air in Paris will be dismantled and transported to the Musee d' Utah Beach in time for the 67th anniversary of D Day.

[yankeepapa]

yes.
now colored kaki/grey below, Bu n° 131576, code AN.Z
i will do some pictures at caen next september
yp

[Rocketeer]

Awesome! What better plane could be present at Normandy than a Marauder! Too bad it isn't airworthy.

[gamary]

Some pictures taken by a fellow member of the French Wing of the CAF are available here: http://www.lecharpeblanche.fr/2011/04/30/les-nouvelles-couleurs-du-b-26-du-mae/.

As far as I know, the B-26 is not airworthy but wouldn't require much work to be so. I might be wrong, though. It seems to me that quite a bit of work was done on it some years ago.

Best regards,

Bertrand

[hang the expense]

It almost looks like its doing a run-up sitting there.Beautiful.

[goshikisen]

The Marauder was (make that is) one fine lookin' airplane.

[Steve Nelson]

Looks great! Although I have to admit I'm surprised that they repainted it in American markings, since (I think) it's a French AF combat vet, and part of their national collection.

SN

[phil]

This A/C has been restored to stock condition in the museum's workshop some years ago. You will find some good pictures here:

http://www.pyperpote.tonsite.biz/listinmae/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=197%3Aglenn-martin-b-26g-25-ma-nd44-68219&catid=35%3Ales-reserves-du-musee-de-lair&Itemid=55&showall=1

This beauty will be displayed in a new extension of the Utah beach museum (curently being built).

Cheers,

Phil

[michaelharadon]

Very cool that they repainted her, especially considering that she looked real good, and authentic, in French livery. I'd like to shake the hands of the folks who made the decision.
Merci beaucoup!

[Rocketeer]

I hope the beautiful B-26 will be kept indoors at the Utah beach museum.

[tom d. friedman]

i sold a marauder pilot's steering control column to a guy from france some years ago. it was an xmas gift to his father inlaw who flew marauders under french markings. i wonder where it is now?? if the father inlaw passed i'd love to think it was on that beauty shown in this thread. i must admit i still have my regrets for parting with it.

[Ken]

The airplane looked like it was pulled directly from the flight line in its French markings - what a great display. Although it's almost "too pretty" in its US camo, that was a nice gesture by the French and the full paint is another hedge against corrosion. I like it.

There just aren't enough of these beauties left. Flak Bait. NMUSAF. The early models from Million $ Valley. All the more reason to get Flak Bait assembled and on display at UH.

Ken

[tom d. friedman]

i sold a marauder pilot's steering control column to a guy from france some years ago. it was an xmas gift to his father inlaw who flew marauders under french markings. i wonder where it is now?? if the father inlaw passed i'd love to think it was on that beauty shown in this thread. i must admit i still have my regrets for parting with it.

There was a Marauder control wheel on Ebay that sold on Aug 16, 2010 for $686, maybe yours? I have screen grabs for that auction.

i'd love to see that auction listing!! i can distinguish if it was mine!!

[Ken]

The Navy Marauder thread made me want to bump this one. The above links to the airplane's new display are wonderful.

[Sutts]

What a gorgeous restoration, love it. Full credit to the French team for their skill and attention to detail.
The repainting gesture was the icing on the cake.