The maiden flight of the first production B-26, originally known as the Glenn Martin Model 179, took place on 25th November 1940. Powered by twin 1,850 h.p, Pratt and Whitney R-2800 engines (also selected for the P-47 Thunderbolt) the B-26 was of advanced concept, with an almost perfectly streamlined fuselage of circular section and small wings - a configuration that gave a maximum speed of 315 m.p.h. and a landing speed of just over 100 m.p.h. In retrospect, the U.S. Air Corps' acceptance of this latter figure might be queried, but the specification of January 1939 contained no limits in this part of the performance envelope, employing sturdy construction and a tricycle undercarriage. It is more than probable that the Air Corps awarded the contract in the light of known peace-time pilot experience (USA was then not at war) and of Glenn Martin's guarantee of rapid production. Even before the first flight, no less than 1,131 B-26 aircraft had been ordered voff the drawing board'; the first instance of this policy in America. In consequence, there was no XB-26, and the first test flight of No. 40-1361 was in the first production aircraft. After over 100 hours of further testing, four B-26s were handed over to the 22nd Bombardment Group at Langley Field, Virginia, and following elimination of teething troubles including nosewheel collapse, this Air Group was fully equipped as production gained momentum.
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