73rd anniversary of the first flight of....
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Why not toast both? To quote Wiki (I know, it may be wrong) "The Marauder ended World War II with the lowest loss rate of any USAAF bomber."
Of course, that could be overall, rather than sorties or hours flown. However, still worth a wee dram. As for the Mossie, couldn't agree more. Cheers!!
Of course, that could be overall, rather than sorties or hours flown. However, still worth a wee dram. As for the Mossie, couldn't agree more. Cheers!!
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True, Herod, but the Mossie has always been my favoUrite piston engined aircraft. I do have the gubbins to build a short wing B-26 in my stockpile of unfinished plastics, however. "Dominion's Revenge" anyone?
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Apologies if you have already read my posts about this, but my grandad Laurent Giles was a noted yacht designer and pioneer of marine plywood forming techniques. During WW2 he was attached to de Havilland to help with the structural design of the Mossie, Hornet and the fuselage of the Vampire. I therefore have a definite personal interest in anything Mossie related, and it is of course one of the best planes ever!
Sadly he was not officially a de Havilland employee and records of his contribution are nearly nil, but he and his family did move to Canada and Washington D.C. for some of his de H and other work. He also designed high speed patrol and rescue launches. Always grateful for any info!
When young I made a Revell model kit of a Marauder, a rather less spectacular plane than the Mossie, and nick-named the Widowmaker if I recall!
Sadly he was not officially a de Havilland employee and records of his contribution are nearly nil, but he and his family did move to Canada and Washington D.C. for some of his de H and other work. He also designed high speed patrol and rescue launches. Always grateful for any info!
When young I made a Revell model kit of a Marauder, a rather less spectacular plane than the Mossie, and nick-named the Widowmaker if I recall!
Gnome de PPRuNe
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The Marauder was also known as the Martin Murderer and the Baltimore Whore (cos it had no means of visible support!)
Love to have seen a B-26 in the air, perhaps one day. And hopefully one day too for another opportunity to hear a pair of Merlins attached to one airframe filling the air!
Love to have seen a B-26 in the air, perhaps one day. And hopefully one day too for another opportunity to hear a pair of Merlins attached to one airframe filling the air!
And hopefully one day too for another opportunity to hear a pair of Merlins attached to one airframe filling the air!
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Well put, Groundloop! IIRC treadigraph, another "term of endearment" for the B-26 was "One A Day In Tampa Bay." No apology needed, joy ride, btw. The Mossie has a very interesting history.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Ah yes, but the Lanc sounds a bit different and doesn't put on quite such a turn of speed...! Amazing how distinctive it is even from a few miles away.
If a man is tired of Merlins, he is tired of life...
If a man is tired of Merlins, he is tired of life...
