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Chronology

B-26 Marauder Serial Number 40-1453

USAAF
11th AF
28th BG

Pilot 2Lt. Gordon S. Stephens (minor injuries, survived)
Co-Pilot 2Lt. Richard P. Waltrath (serious injuries, survived)
Crew SSgt. Neilburn W. Rayner (serious injuries, survived)
Passenger ? (survived)
Passenger ? (survived)
Passenger ? (survived)
Passenger ? (survived)
Passenger ? (survived)
Crashed January 16, 1942 at 5:00pm
MACR none

Aircraft History
Built by Martin in Baltimore, Maryland. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-26 Marauder serial number 40-1453.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 11th Air Force, 28th Bombardment Group. No known nose art or nickname.

Mission History
On January 16, 1942 crashed while attempting to make an emergency landing at Watson Lake at dusk. This aircraft skidded then ran into a snow bank, damaging it beyond repair. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-26 40-1453
USAAF Form No. 14 Aircraft Accident Report
"Pilot, attempting to make an emergency landing in poor light, skidded down the runway about 100 yards and ran into a snow bank. The plane was damaged beyond repair."

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Last Updated
January 22, 2025

B-26

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