B-26 Marauder "Cindy"

1
October 11, 2020
Monument erected by the City of Lakeland. This is also listed as a Florida State Historical Marker.
2
October 11, 2020
A composite of the old Drane Field control tower and the new tower built a few years ago.
3
October 11, 2020
The only modern reference to the old airfield is a single road that parallels the airfield named Drane Field Road. My understanding is that this road was once the only road leading to the airfield.
4
October 11, 2020
A dedication plaque to the other unit to use the airfield during WW2. This unit also operated the B-26 Marauder.
5
October 11, 2020
A composite of Drane Field (below) and Lakeland Linder as it appears today. The road highlighted in orange is Drane Field Road.

Comments

1 11 October 2020, 13:47

Album info

The International Airport near my house is Lakeland Linder (LAL). It is home to Amazon Air Cargo, the NOAA WP-3 Hurricane Hunters & Draken International along with many other aviation related businesses and the surrounding area is a growing residential zone for the nearby cities. Back in the 1940s it was known as Drane Field, a very primitive military airfield in the middle of nowhere that was home to the 320th & 344th Bombardment Groups during their training using the B-26 Marauder before being sent overseas for active duty during WW2. These were tough conditions for what would be a tough fight. The local saying during the time was "One a day in Tampa Bay". A testament to the steep learning curve while trying to master the B-26.

Please visit the 320th BG website for tons of photos and info:
320thbg.org/photobaselife.html

B-26 Marauder “Cindy”

5 images

1:48

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1:48 B-26 Marauder (Revell Monogram 85-5510)

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