Martin XB-16

The Martin XB-16, company designation Model 145, was a projected heavy bomber designed in the United States during the 1930s.

Design and development

The XB-16 was designed to meet the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) request for a bomber that could carry 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) of bombs 5,000 mi (8,000 km; 4,300 nmi).

The XB-16 (Model 145A) was to use four Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled reciprocating Vee engines; contemporary American aircraft used air-cooled radial engines.

In 1935, Martin revised the XB-16 design as the Model 145B. The wingspan was increased from 140 ft (43 m) to 173 ft (53 m), and a set of V-1710 engines added to the trailing edge. This version had a wingspan 20% greater than that of the B-29 Superfortress, the first operational bomber that would fill the role intended for the XB-16.

The XB-16 was cancelled for essentially the same reason the B-15 project was: it wasn't fast enough to meet the requirements set by the Army. Since both were cancelled around the same time, Martin did not have time to produce an XB-16.

Specifications (Model 145A)

Data from U.S. bombers, 1928 to 1980s^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 10
• Length: 114 ft 10 in (35 m)
• Wingspan: 140 ft (43 m)
  

  Model 145B: 173 ft (53 m)

• Empty weight: 31,957 lb (14,495 kg)
  

  Model 145B: 50,660 lb (22,980 kg)

• Gross weight: 65,000 lb (29,484 kg)
  

  Model 145B: 104,880 lb (47,570 kg)

• Fuel capacity: 4,238 US gal (16,040 l; 3,529 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 4 × Allison V-1710-3 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines, 1,000 hp (750 kW) each (Model 145B x6)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 237 mph (381 km/h; 206 kn) at 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
• Cruise speed: 140 mph (122 kn; 225 km/h)
• Range: 5,000 mi (4,345 nmi; 8,047 km)
• Combat range: 3,200 mi (2,781 nmi; 5,150 km) with 12,180 lb (5,520 kg) of bombs
• Endurance: 24 hours
• Service ceiling: 22,500 ft (6,858 m)
• Rate of climb: 740 ft/min (3.8 m/s)
• Power/mass: 0.049 hp/lb (0.080 kW/kg)

Armament

• Bombs: 12,180 lb (5,520 kg) of bombs

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Boeing XB-15
• Boeing Y1B-20
• Douglas XB-19

Related lists

• List of bomber aircraft
• List of military aircraft of the United States

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Glenn L. Martin Company.

• USAF Museum description of XB-16
• Martin aircraft 146 specifications