Odd mods on this Marauder

[Chris Brame]

From a current eBay listing:

So why the solid or painted-over (except for bombardier's glass) nose and shackles under the belly?
Over to the experts...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1944-USAAF-ATC ... SwI2NdJnG6

P.S. Same seller has a bunch of shots of a/c that passed through there, including the infamous Curtiss C-76

[sandiego89]

Indeed and interesting nose- no idea on that.

Regarding the rack, wonder if that is the keel mounted external torpedo rack? Some fitted for service in the Aleutian campaign.

[Joe Scheil]

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi ... y_1942.jpg

Looks like that to me too. Perhaps the nose which appears “one piece” was a fiberglass part designed to replace the two part plexi as added protection against bird strikes? It would seem to be a hazardous train8ng operation for the crews to be on the water practicing torpedo runs at speed with seagulls being a constant hazard.

[JohnB]

My first reaction is a radar test bed.
But more pointed than the P-61 nose.

Using an available (bailed) B-26 (looks like it has a trainer number on it) makes sense.

[Cvairwerks]

Appears to be a B-3 or B-4 version, based on the intakes. The nose looks to be purpose built, so maybe a weary bird impressed into a test program..

[Forgotten Field]

Nice Marauder- don't forget the Dodge Command Car in the background!

[Invader26]

Torpedo rack underneath..

[Archer]

There appears to be a flat clear view panel underneath the nose, which to me suggests that it is not a radar nose.

[AG pilot]

To me, it looks like the standard plexi unit that has been painted over, except for the bottom flat portion.