The first B-26 bomber took flight on November 25, 1940, and entered service with the US Air Force in February 1941. The B-26 Marauder was a high-wing aircraft with a spacious fuselage and a five-person crew (later expanded to seven). Throughout its operational life, the design was continuously refined to improve flight and combat performance. In 1943, the wing area and tail were enlarged—these modifications remained standard through the end of production. Demand from the US Air Force far exceeded the capacity of Martin’s Middle River plant in Baltimore, Maryland. In March 1941, production expanded to a second facility in Omaha, Nebraska. All aircraft built there were designated B-26C—structurally identical to the B-26B with minor variations. The B-26C-45 became the most produced version, with 359 units manufactured.