Now available from the design team lead by David Eckert is an FS2002/FS2004 version of the WWII era Martin B-26 Marauder. The aircraft features fully animated parts including bomb bay doors and canopy doors, full virtual cockpit, custom gauges, authentic sound and more. For details, click on Read More.
The Martin B-26 Marauder is said to have been one of the most controversial combat aircraft of the Second World War. Called the "Widow Maker" because of a high accident rate that followed its introduction, by 1944 it had the lowest loss rate on operational missions of any American aircraft in the European theatre, reaching a point less than one half of one percent. TheB-26 was numerically the most important USAAF medium bomber in Europe, where the aircraft was mainly used.
The depicted aircraft, the "Hitch Hiker," was assigned to the 9th Air Force's 391st Bomb Group, 573rd Bomb Squadron for medium bomber missions flown out of Matching Green AB, England, beginning in February, 1944. Photos below show the crew and aircraft.
On July 28, 1944 at 12,500 feet on a bombing run near Grosley sur Risle, Normandy, the "Hitch Hiker" was taken apart at the waist by a German 88mm gun. Three survived, parachuting to ground. S/Sgt John Culshaw, 1st Lt Robert Lemmon and T/Sgt William Rollings, with over 170 bombing missions flown between them, heroes all, were killed in action.
This FREEWARE flight simulation package is dedicated to them and to all of the other "Marauder Men" of WW II.
Features include:
- Fully animated parts including both sets of bomb bay doors and canopy doors
- Full virtual cockpit
- Full set of custom B-26 gauges
- Matching Green scenery
- Authentic Sound package
- Accurate flight dynamics
- Accurate lighting including formation lighting
- Accurate textures down to field flack patch repair
- FS2002 and FS2004 versions included
For more history of the aircraft, history of the crew, first person B-26 pilot accounts, please visit http://www.daviator.com/b26/
Aircraft model by David Eckert - www.daviator.com
Flight Dynamics, Sound and Panel by R.L. Clark.
Matching Green Scenery by Paul Roberts.
Credit and thanks go to Bill Lyons for contributions to the flight dynamics for FS2004.
Credit and thanks go to JR (Jan Rosenberg) for the special aircraft effects for FS2004.
