Warbird Information Exchange

Okay guys, here's one that I think is really interesting.



I don't have a place or date for this one. The N-number on the tail is N3E. The directories don't list a B-26 as ever having been N3E. (The WR lists N3E as a Douglas A-4 and on the current USCR it is a Northrop F-5, both obviously later registrations than this pic.)

The first thought, and possibly true, is that this is an undocumented earlier identity of the CAF's Carolyn. But, there are differences in the conversion on this aircraft versus Carolyn (at least circa 1967 when acquired by CAF). The nose and tail cones look shorter, the cowlings are more stock, the cockpit windows are different, and there seems to be a much larger dorsal fillet extension. Mods over time are possible, of course, but ... could this be a B-26 not listed in any of the directories?

August

N3E was one of four civil B-26 Marauder conversions. It was the only conversion not done by Airesearch for Tennessee Gas Corp. N3E was operated by J.S. Abercrombie Aviation Department before being sold to Mexico. It crashed in Mexico. I'm not sure what N3E s/n was. I may have it written down somewhere at home.

Jim

N3E later N1144 was built as B-26C-45-MO s/n 42-107758 and was operated by the USN as JM-1 BuNo. 75198. After U.S. civil operation it was registered in Mexico as XB-PEX. Written off in an accident in Mexico City in 1965.

Jim

Terrific info, Jim! Thanks.

August

I spoke with a (now retired) commuter pilot this spring, and he mentioned seeing an exec. Martin B-26 in Dallas around 1961-62. He said that the airplane later crashed into a pond in Mexico City whereupon all onboard drowned. Does anyone know where (or if) Mexican accident reports from that age can be found?

T J

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My Father in Law was a pilot for Abercrombie (Cameron Iron Works, Houston).
The Pemex crash was Nov.10, 1965 after having been purchased Dec. 10 1962. Cameron kept the N3E tail number for a new jet they bought, so the B-26 became N1144 and seemed (From some records) to have been owned by an Oil Company (Ashland maybe) from Sep. 1961 until sold to Pemex. That may be the Dallas connection. Our family has been trying to gather info on this plane and 2 crash landings, one upon takeoff after delivery from Navy to Cameron and another late 50's due to a elevator trim tab failure. The N3E number is first reported as the post Navy designation in 1948. But we do not know any more about the these crashes, except the plane was put back together. Jim G

Seems like I remember seeing one like this owned by Marathon Oil Co.

Jack

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My earlier reference to the N3E, changed to N1144 being Asland Oil is not correct it was sold by Cameron to Admiral Oil and gas of Dallas TX May 29, 1962, then to Pemex Dec. 10 1962.
Jim G