Review by Martin Koenigsberg
I just finished my 4th Book Review of the Year!!
I found this a very informative read, although it did not answer all my queries about the type. Martyn Chorlton, a British Aviation and Aviation History author gives us the facts about this almost forgotten American Medium Bomber type of WWII. This type was ordered off the design table, in the days before computer-assisted anything, and those Martin company boys were pretty good with a slide rule back in the day. They created a Bomber that could deliver large payloads- with wings small enough that nicknames abounded based on “no visible means of support” in the budding US Army Air Corps. It turns out they did need a touch larger wing and some other adjustments – all laid out by Mr. Chorlton in his narrative – and the type went from problematic to very reliable. Over 5200 were built, serving in both ETO and PTO, before getting almost entirely scrapped in 1945-47 and fading away, save for a few extant copies. A really interesting story presented in typical Osprey fashion with lavish b/w and color pics, diagrams, tables, and maps- as well as wonderful color plates and silhouette schemes of certain airframes. I did want to know why this venerable bird did not make it to the list of Cold Warriors, like the B-25 Mitchell and the A-26 Invader, but that was not addressed. Of course those types’ long service after WWII, with many air forces after distribution as American Military Cold War aid is what ensured that so many are whole today- some of them still flying. I guess the B-26 was deemed not worthy of support (the US Military- and US Military Contractors had to continue to service the bird that did soldier on), and they all went to the breaker yard. It’s a bit sad- as one would love to see one of these aircraft live – even better flying. Still, a worthy addition to the Air Vanguard Series. There are no adult themes, except for contracts and procurement policies, so this is a good read for the Junior Reader over about 10/11. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, the intended market- a nice little package with a few goodies. The Gamer gets info about a type that dabbled in both tactical and strategic bombing (that’s why they call them medium bombers, folks), but may not be as remembered as some others. The Gamer and the Modeler get painting suggestions and diorama/scenario ideas aplenty. The Military Enthusiast gets a great introductory book to an important but not iconic weapon in the war against fascism- a great taste that will probably lead to more scholarship. Might be a little bit too focused for the real general reader, but any Military History fan will find it engaging. #WhatAreYouReading #BookReviews #20thCenturyHistory #MilitaryHistory #AvGeek #AviationHistory #AmericanHistory #USAAC #MediumBomber #AlliedHistory #RAF #WWIIHistory #SWWHistory #WWII #SWW #AerialWarfare #WargameResearch #MartinB26Marauder #MartynChorlton #AirVanguardSeries4 #OspreyPublishing #NoVisibleMeansOfSupport #Rabaul #Midway #8thAirForce #DDay #BloodRedSkies #AcesHigh #WorldWarIIWargaming
