B-26s of the 397th Bomb Group. The nearest aircraft, 43-34401 / 9F-K, is a B-26G of 597 BS. That aircraft crashed due to engine failure near the group's base, Péronne / Saint-Quentin (LFAG) in France on 14 February 1945, shortly after this photo was taken. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Credited with 45 bombing missions and three victories on german aircraft. Disarmed and seems waiting for decomissioning. From friend's family archives.

41-31877 was on its 67th mission when this photo was taken. It went on to do 175 missions before it crashed on take-off at Beaumont, France on January 1, 1945. The date range is from December 1943, when the group did its 67th mission, and the application of invasion stripes ahead of D-Day in June 1944. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Over England ahead of a mission over Europe. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Repaired after this accident. Shot down by AAA near Kleve, Germany on October 7, 1944. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Later named Truman Committee. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Flak damage prevented the nose gear locking. When it collapsed the forward fuselage crumpled and the aircraft was written off. Believed to be at Great Dunmow, where the aircraft was based. To prevent the runway being blocked, the pilot was probably directed to land in the "rough". Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

"Flak-Bait" undergoing restoration at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. This indestructible B-26 flew 207 missions over Europe, the most by any USAAF bomber. Gen. Arnold decided to preserve this veteran of D-Day and missions against V-1 sites. Assigned to the 449th BS, 322nd BG, "Flak-Bait" lived up to its name with over a thousand flak holes patched and every control surface replaced at least once.

A 'Block 1' B-26B with the original shorter-span wing which was enlarged in an attempt to reduce the number of Marauder accidents. This airframe crashed on take-off at Avon Park, Florida on 2 June 1943. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

This Marauder was the first aircraft assigned to NACA's Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory, to research improved cooling of the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine. Photo from: NASA

'Flak-Bait' survived 207 combat missions over Europe, more than any other American aircraft during WWII and is currently undergoing restoration in the Mary Baker Engen Hangar of the Udvar-Hazy Center. The Baltimore factory completed the aircraft in April 1943 and the USAAF assigned it to the 449th BS, 322nd BG. Lt. James J. Farrell of Greenwich, CT flew more missions in 'Flak-Bait' than any other pilot. He named the bomber after 'Flea Bait', his brother's nickname for the family dog.