B-26 Stars & Stripes Structured Twill Cap

The B-26 Marauder was a fast, twin-engine medium bomber used by the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Designed for speed and survivability, the B-26 had a sleek fuselage, powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines, and a reputation—early on—for being unforgiving to inexperienced pilots. But as the war progressed and crews adapted, the Marauder earned a different title: “the flying prostitute”—because it had no visible means of support (referring to its small wings) and a reputation for daring missions.

Initially plagued by a high accident rate during training due to its high landing speed and short wingspan, modifications and improved training corrected these issues. By 1944, the B-26 had become one of the safest bombers to fly in combat, with the lowest loss rate of any U.S. bomber in the European Theater.

The B-26 could cruise at up to 315 mph, carry a bomb load of up to 4,000 lbs, and defend itself with multiple .50-calibre machine guns mounted in nose, tail, waist, and dorsal positions. It was used extensively in the Mediterranean and European theatres, particularly in tactical support of ground forces—attacking bridges, railways, and troop concentrations with precision.

One of its most famous achievements was the low-altitude bombing run during D-Day, where B-26s from the 9th Air Force flew missions just ahead of the Allied invasion to soften German coastal defences.

In total, 5,288 Marauders were built. Despite its rocky start, the B-26 finished the war with an impressive combat record, earning respect for its speed, toughness, and efficiency. Some crews even flew over 100 missions without losing a single aircraft, a testament to how effective and survivable the aircraft had become in skilled hands.

Why are the stripes vertical?
Great question - and you're absolutely right that the U.S. flag is usually displayed with horizontal stripes. But in this design, we’ve reimagined the flag as an artistic tribute rather than a literal representation. We chose to depict the flag as if it were hanging vertically from above, similar to how it might appear draped at a hangar entrance or suspended during a ceremony.  This vertical orientation allows the iconic silhouette of the aircraft to really shine -with the red and white stripes running the length of the fuselage, it creates a bold, centred look while still honouring the flag’s spirit and symbolism.