{"product_id":"icm-1-48-last-marauder-b-26-marauder-wwii-bomber-icm48329","title":"ICM 1:48 ‘Last Marauder’ B-26 Marauder WWII Bomber - ICM48329","description":"In April 1945, as the Second World War in Europe was drawing to a close, a historic moment took place at the Martin factory in Middle River. The final B-26G bomber of the legendary Marauder series (serial number 44-68254) rolled off the production line. Symbolically, the aircraft was named ‘Tail End Charlie’ – a pilot slang term referring to ‘the last in the formation’.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 1945 and became a symbolic link between the beginning and the end of the Marauder production story. It was flown by test pilot Pat Tibbs, while the co-pilot’s seat was occupied by Ken Abel — the company’s chief designer, who had also taken part in the first flight of the original production B-26 five years earlier. As a result, Abel became one of the very few pilots to have flown both the first and the final aircraft of a series that ultimately totalled 5,266 machines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe last Marauder never saw combat service. On 10 May 1945, just two days after Germany’s surrender, the aircraft was officially transferred to the French Air Force (Armée de l’Air). Since active hostilities in Europe had already ended, the aircraft was assigned to the CEAM Test Centre at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eServing with the French Air Force, ‘Tail End Charlie’ was used for nearly four years for technical evaluation flights and transport duties. According to archival records, the service life of the final B-26 Marauder came to an end in April 1949, when the aircraft was officially written off.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe model represents the late-production variants of the B-26 Marauder bomber and accurately captures the distinctive features of the B-26G version\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe geometry and proportions of the original aircraft have been faithfully reproduced, with detailed cockpit and fuselage interior equipment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes a decal sheet with markings for the last production B-26G Marauder bomber\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarkings Available\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eB-26G-25-MA 44-68254 “Tail End Charlie”, Middle River, Baltimore, Maryland, April 1945\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale: \u003cstrong\u003e1:48\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of Parts:\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e380\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLength: \u003cstrong\u003e387 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWidth: \u003cstrong\u003e453 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes detailed assembly instructions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHighly detailed sprues with high accuracy made from quality plastic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEAN: \u003cstrong\u003e4823044412068\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarton quantity: \u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBox size: \u003cstrong\u003e410 x 260 x 55 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:48\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembly Kit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aircraft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNation:\u003c\/strong\u003e American\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1939-1945 - World War II\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e ICM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct code:\u003c\/strong\u003e ICM48329\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSupplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and tools are sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Order - ETA 2-4 Weeks.\u003c\/strong\u003e We order this in for you from the UK distributor, so please allow 2 to 4 weeks for it to reach you.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ICM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56958463115650,"sku":"ICM48329","price":66.79,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0306\/5842\/9059\/files\/ICM48329_01.jpg?v=1790911234","url":"https:\/\/www.loadeddice.uk\/products\/icm-1-48-last-marauder-b-26-marauder-wwii-bomber-icm48329","provider":"Loaded Dice","version":"1.0","type":"link"}