B-26 41-17625 - a little mystery

[Chris Brame]

Last night I was channel surfing and caught a WWII newsreel that had footage of a gunnery training school. Besides the usual static mounted practice turrets, I was surprised to see the aft fuselage of a B-26 mounted so it could be rotated like a weather vane, and the dorsal (minus the bubble) and tail turrets were being used for training. It had the early star without bars insignia, and someone had helpfully lettered "FUSELAGE" on the side. The rudder and elevators were gone but the fin and stabilizers were still attached. On one side of the fin was 117, and the other side read 625. So like any good anorak I headed straight to the Baugher site:

41-17625 Martin B-26B-3 Marauder
17625 collided in midair with 41-17610 Feb 28, 1943 over Avon Park, FL bombing range. Both crews killed.

That aft fuselage sure didn't look damaged - especially from a fatal midair wreck; just unbolted. Any Marauder mavens know more?

[DaveG]

a little more info on the crews, from http://www.b26.com/guestbook/2002.htm:

2LT Arthur Roy Kuntz BombGp: 336th Squadron: 478th Years: 1941-1943 Class: Location: Ft. Myers, FL.

My name is Mike Kuntz and I would like to hear from anybody who knew my father, 2LT Arthur Roy Kuntz, who was a Navigator. He was assigned to the 3rd Air Force, 336th Bombardment Group, 478th Bomb Squadron. He was on a bombing training mission (transition flying) with three other B-26's when his B-26 (#41-17619) and B-26 (#41-17625) collided over the bomb range at Avon Park, Florida, at 1200 Hours on 28 February 1943. Both crews were lost. I have learned that the collision was witnessed by: 1LT Glenn R. Mattox, Pilot, S/SGT Tamer R. Ryan (SN: 35355074), Radio Opr, and 2LT Donald M. Emerson, Pilot. LT Mattox was the Flight Leader on that mission. I would like to get in touch with anybody that knew my father Other crew members on his aircraft were: 1LT Frank L. Wassell, Pilot, 2LT Robert J. Brude, Co-Pilot, SGT Richard P. Sofinski, Radio Opr, and SGT Ray Dykes and SGT Rex E. Lee. Crew of the other aircraft were: 1LT Ramon G. Buela, Pilot, Flt Off Harry G. Smith, Co-Pillot, 2LT Dane Hansen, Bombardier/Navigator, SGT Eldon Kinn, Flt Eng, and Elroy A. Gainer, Radio Opr. My father, 2LT Art Kuntz, was from North Dakota. I don't know where he trained as a Navigator. Thank you all for your courage and sacrifices. You all truly were part of the greatest generation. I served in the US Army from 1967 - 1970. Hope to hear from anybody who knew my dad.

***now that I've read Mike's name out loud to myself a few times, I am reminded of a scene from that classic 80's movie "Porky's." Despite that unfortunate coincidence, maybe this info will help track down more information.

[12XU2A3X3]

bump for excellent nerding and marauder related anything. wix hivemind engage