# @airandspacemuseum on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DXPfY5TiYTu
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/64391932-airandspacemuseum-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/e4195a9ccb.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-04-17T17:59:43.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** National Air and Space Museum (@airandspacemuseum) — https://gondola.cc/airandspacemuseum

## Caption

It may have been flak bait, but it survived over 200 missions. 
This Martin B-26 Marauder, nicknamed “Flak-Bait,” operated in the skies over Europe for a year and nine months during World War II. By spring 1945, Flak-Bait’s ground crew had repaired over 1,000 holes on the aircraft caused by Nazi shrapnel, cannon shells, and machine gun bullets (hence the name “Flak-Bait”).
On this day in 1945, our Martin B-26 Marauder “Flak-Bait” flew its 200th confirmed combat mission—becoming the first American bomber in the European Theater of Operations to do so.
#AviationHistory #WWIIAviation #WorldWarIIAviation #MilitaryAviation #WorldWarII #WWII #B26 #FlakBait

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,107
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- **Comments:** 8

## Tags

flakbait, worldwarii, worldwariiaviation, wwiiaviation, aviationhistory, wwii, militaryaviation, b26

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