Martin 146

Model 146
Martin Model 146 during competition c. 1935, USAF photo
Role	Heavy bomber
Manufacturer	Glenn L. Martin Company
First flight	1935
Status	Experimental prototype
Primary user	United States Army Air Corps (intended)
Produced	1935
Number built	1
Developed from	Martin B-10

The Martin Model 146 was an unsuccessful American bomber design that lost a 1934–1935 bomber design competition to the prototype for the Douglas B-18 Bolo (itself soon supplanted by the B-17 Flying Fortress).

Design and development

Although generally satisfied with the speed and bombload of the Martin B-10, the United States Army Air Corps expressed a requirement for a bomber with long range. Two competitions were held in 1934-35: one for fast bombers capable of flying 2,200 miles (3,500 km), and a second for the experimental prototype of a 5,000-mile (8,000 km) bomber.

The Martin 146 was built for the first competition, competing with the Boeing Model 299 (later the B-17) and Douglas DB-1 (later the B-18). Two versions were submitted for the competition, the Model 146 (actual aircraft) and the Model 146A (design only). The only significance between the two was the planform, the 146 center section was rectangular with the outer wing being tapered while the 146A had a constant taper.

The Model 146 bore a striking resemblance to the earlier Martin B-10, with the same configurations of turret and cockpits and even the same two Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines – albeit with 50% more power than the 600hp Cyclones of the original B-10. The biggest differences between this aircraft and the Martin 139 (B-10) was that it was wider, allowing the pilot and co-pilot to sit side by side and was equipped with Fowler flaps, the first large aircraft equipped with them.

The Model 146 was not successful but it led the Martin company to begin research into contemporary aviation technology. Some offshoots included the innovative Martin 145 proposed for the long-range bomber competition as well as the early studies that would lead to the Model 179 (later to emerge as the wartime Martin B-26). The aircraft was eventually returned to the factory and scrapped.

Specifications (Model 146)

General characteristics

• Crew: four

Performance Armament

• Guns: 3 × .30 in (7.62 mm) Browning machine guns
• Bombs: 2,260 lb (1,030 kg)

See also

Related development

• Martin B-10

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
• Douglas B-18 Bolo

Related lists

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

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Baugher, Joe. "Martin B-10". Encyclopedia of American Aircraft. Retrieved: 4 July 2007.
• Taylor, John W. R. "Martin B-10". Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the Present. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. ISBN 0-425-03633-2.

External links

• National Museum of the US Air force article on B-10