Martin Maryland

Опытный самолет XA-22 был создан под требования авиакорпуса Армии США на новый фронтовой бомбардировщик. Он представлял собой двухмоторный моноплан со среднерасположенным свободнонесущим крылом, убирающимся шасси схемы с хвостовым колесом и экипажем из трех человек. Первый полет самолета состоялся 14 марта 1939 года, а после испытаний командование авиакорпуса Армии США отклонило проект. Но еще до первого полета XA-22 компания-разработчик получила на данную машину первый заказ - от Франции на 115 самолетов. Поставки начались в октябре 1939 года, а к тому времени французы разместили заказ еще на 100 самолетов. Лишь 140 самолетов этого типа из общего числа заказанных, получивших обозначение Model 167F, попали во Францию до ее капитуляции в июне 1940 года. Во Франции самолеты получили обозначение Martin 167A-3 и участвовали в боевых действиях против Германии. Затем, но уже в составе ВВС вишистской Франции, воевали в Западной Африке и на Среднем Востоке, уже против англо-американских союзников.
   Оставшиеся от французского заказа 75 самолетов были поставлены Королевским ВВС Великобритании и вместе с еще 75 заказанными самолетами получили там обозначение Maryland Mk I. Все самолеты были оснащены звездообразными двигателями R-1830-SC3G Twin Wasp мощностью 1050 л. с. с одноступенчатыми нагнетателями. Затем Великобритания заказала еще 150 усовершенствованных самолетов варианта Maryland Mk II - с более мощными двигателями и двухступенчатыми нагнетателями. Первоначально Maryland использовались для буксировки мишеней и дальней разведки (в последней роли они себя зарекомендовали особенно хорошо), а также применялись в качестве легких бомбардировщиков. Первой строевой частью, получившей данные машины, стало в сентябре 1940 года 431-е звено (затем - 69-я эскадрилья), сформированное на Мальте. Кроме того, данные машины были поставлены в 39-ю и 223-ю эскадрильи, дислоцированные в Ливийской (Западной) пустыне. 72 самолета Maryland были позже переданы британцами в состав 12-й, 20-й, 21-й и 24-й эскадрилий ВВС Южной Африки. Кроме того, Maryland входили в состав авиации британских BMC. Одними из самых значимых боевых эпизодов в боевой карьере этих самолетов стали разведывательные вылеты, предшествовавшие успешным налетам британской морской авиации на итальянские боевые корабли в бухте Таранто в ноябре 1940 года. В мае 1941 года от экипажа одного из самолетов Maryland авиации британских ВМС было получено сообщение об обнаружении в море немецкого линкора "Бисмарк" и тяжелого крейсера "Принц Ойген".


ТАКТИКО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКИЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ

   Martin Maryland Mk II

   Тип: разведчик/бомбардировщик с экипажем из трех человек
   Силовая установка: два звездообразных ПД Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S3C4G Twin Wasp мощностью по 1200 л. с. (895 кВт)
   Летные характеристики: макс. скорость на высоте 3595 м - 447 км/ч; практический потолок 7925 м; дальность полета с макс. бомбовой нагрузкой 1738 км
   Масса: пустого 5086 кг; максимальная взлетная 7624 кг
   Размеры: размах крыла 18,69 м; длина 14,22 м; высота 4,57 м; площадь крыла 50,03 м2
   Вооружение: четыре 7,7-мм пулемета Browning в крыле, один 7,7-мм пулемет Vickers "K" в надфюзеляжной и подфюзеляжной стрелковых установках, плюс бомбовая нагрузка до 907 кг

Flight, December 1939

To a EUROPEAN FORMULA
The New Martin 167W Multi-purpose Machine

   ALREADY Martin 167F twin-engined monoplanes of the French Air Force have made reconnaissance flights over the German lines. These machines are essentially similar to an attack bomber developed by the U.S. Army, and hitherto no data have been available.
   The following description of the 167W, which is almost exactly similar to the French type, has now been released.
   The machine, which can be used for bombing, reconnaissance, ground attack, or fighting, has a semi-monocoque fuselage incorporating channel-section transverse frames and extruded longitudinal stringers with a smooth skin covering and flush riveting. The wing comprises a centre section with detachable outer panels, which, in turn, have detachable tips. There are two spars and a corrugated top section, which extends outboard of the engine bay and is covered with smooth sheet. Two fuel tanks are mounted between the spars in the space between the fuselage and the engine bay.
   The bomb aimer has a position in the nose which is provided with a great deal of transparent panels. Behind him, above the leading edge of the wing, is the pilot. A gunner is stationed aft of the wing, where there is a semi-retractable gun enclosure and a second mounting for a gun firing through a hatchway through the bottom of the fuselage. The wireless is also installed in this compartment and is worked by the gunner. All compartments are covered with Plexiglas except the forward portion of the cockpit, where laminated plate glass is used. Auxiliary flying controls are provided for the bomb aimer.
   Power is supplied by any one of three models of the Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp series. The SC3-G is a single-speed supercharged version using 87 octane fuel and delivering 1,050 h.p. at 2,700 r.p.m. at sea level and 1,000 h.p. at 2,800 r.p.m. at 11,500 ft. Using these engines, the 167W has a maximum speed of 274 m.p.h. at sea level, and 304 m.p.h. at critical altitude. The service ceiling is 29,000ft., absolute ceiling on one engine 14,000ft., and rate of climb at sea level 2,000 ft./min. Using S2C4-G engines, which have two-speed superchargers, and deliver the same output as the SC3-G engines up to 20,800ft., performance is identical except for an increase of 2,000ft. in service ceiling with S3C4-G engines using 100-octane fuel a speed of 316 m.p h. is attainable.
   In addition to the two free guns behind the wing, the machine can be fitted with four fixed guns of rifle calibre mounted two in each wing outboard of the airscrews and controlled to fire simultaneously or individually by switches on the rim of the pilot's control wheel.
   For high-speed bombing, an internal bomb rack may be installed to carry a maximum of 1,250 lb. of bombs in either of the following arrangements: One 1,130-lb. bomb, two 624-lb. bombs, four 308-lb. bombs, or eight 116-lb. bombs. These bombs are carried within the fuselage, in the bomb bay, and are released through two large doors in the bottom of the fuselage. These are opened by rubber shock cords and closed by hydraulic power either from the pilot’s or bomb-aimer’s positions.
   Data are: Span, 61ft. 4in.; length, 46ft. 8in.; wing area, 538 sq. ft.; gross weight (normal), 15,297 lb.; weight empty, 10,586 lb.

Flight, May 1940

THE FRENCH MARTIN
Features and Development of the Model 167F

  THE war had not long, been started before the French were sending Martin 167s on reconnaissance flights over Germany. It is not known how many Martins have by this time been delivered to France, but it was estimated last year that over a hundred should have arrived before Christmas. The initial order was for 215 machines, and the Glenn L. Martin Company of Baltimore, Maryland, was to be paid 130,000 dollars for each, the order totalling about 28,000,000 dollars.
  The French version of the 167 is known in America as the 167F, but is generally similar to the 167W.
  The cantilever wing of the 167 series is comprised of a centre section, built integral with the fuselage and forming the anchorage for the undercarriage and engine mountings, and two detachable outer panels. There are detachable tips outboard of the ailerons. The primary structure is of the box type, there being two spars and a corrugated top section extending outboard from the engine bay. The structure is riveted aluminium alloy with heat-treated steel fittings at highly stressed points. Smooth alloy sheet forms the covering. Two integral wing tanks with a capacity of 255 U.S. gallons are placed between the spars, extending from the side of the fuselage to the engine bay. Quickly removable covers on the lower surface of the wing permit the interior of the fuel tanks to be serviced and the wing and controls to be inspected; other covers provide rapid access to the wing guns when these are installed. The flaps are of the slotted type, and extend from the sides of the fuselage to the inboard end of each aileron. A flap position indicator is incorporated with the landing gear indicator in the cockpit.
  The fuselage is of semi-monocoque construction, and incorporates channel-section transverse frames and extruded longitudinal stringers with a smooth skin covering. Like the wing it is built in three sections, the parts being bolted together. The nose section consists in the main of transparent panels; the mid-section, built integral with the centre section of the wing, includes the bomb bay; and the tail section runs aft from the rear spar bulkhead. The cantilever tailplane is likewise in three sections and the elevators are part metal and part fabric covered.
  Of fully retractable type, each of the main units of the undercarriage has a single oleo-pneumatic strut attached to a half fork - an arrangement making for easy removal and replacement of tyres. Retraction is effected hydraulically, though there is an emergency hand pump.

Removable Nacelles

  The undercarriage, when raised, is housed in the nacelles, each of which, with its engine, may be removed as a unit, though the cowling has first to be taken off. Engine mountings are of welded chrome molybdenum steel tubing, the upper members being attached directly to the wing and the lower ones connected to the structure which supports the undercarriage.
  The pilot's cockpit is over the leading edge of the wing and the bomb-aimer's position somewhat forward of this. A gunner is stationed aft of the trailing edge, where there is a partially retractable gun position on top of the fuselage. Provision is also made for a second gun to be installed in the bottom of this position and to fire through a hatchway which has removable covers. Wireless equipment is installed in the same compartment and is operated by the gunner. All crew positions are covered with Plexiglass except the forward portion of the cockpit, where laminated plate glass is utilised.
  Either the pilot or the bomb-aimer can fly the machine, the controls for the latter being arranged so that they may be stowed to provide maximum freedom during bomb aiming. The auxiliary controls, however, are limited to the elevators, rudder and ailerons, although provision may be made for landing gear and flap controls.
  Any of the three models of the Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp (R-1830 series) may be specified. The SC3-G is a single-speed supercharged version operating on 87 octane fuel and delivering 1,050 h.p. at 2,700 r.p.m. at sea level and 1,000 h.p. at 2,800 r.p.m. at 11,500ft. With these engines the 167 has a maximum speed of 274 m.p.h. at sea level and 304 m.p.h. at critical altitude. The service ceiling in this case is 29,000ft., and rate of climb at sea. level 2,000ft. /min
  Using S2C4-G engines with two-speed superchargers the performance is identical except for an increase of 2,000ft. in service ceiling. The second supercharger speed with these engines takes effect at 20,800ft.
  The highest performance is attained with S3C4-G engines operating on 100 octane fuel. These deliver 1,200 h.p. at 2,700 r.p.m. at sea level and 1,050 h.p. at 2,700 r.p.m. at 13,100ft.; they have two-speed superchargers and confer a top speed at sea level of 281 m.p.h. and a maximum at critical altitude of 316 m.p.h. It is claimed that the service ceiling is. 31,000ft., the rate of climb at sea level 2,400ft. /min., and the absolute single-engine ceiling 14,000ft.
  In addition to the two free guns behind the wing the 167 series is designed, if necessary, to take four fixed rifle-calibre guns, two in each wing on each side of the fuselage, firing outboard of the airscrew arcs and capable of being fired simultaneously or individually by switches on the rim of the pilot's control wheel.
  For bombing an internal rack may be installed to carry a maximum of 1,250 lb. of bombs in any of the following arrangements:- One 1,130 lb. bomb; two 624 lb. bombs; four 308 lb. bombs; or eight 116 lb. bombs. On a number of the French machines the bomb bay is occupied by a long-range tank as the aircraft are intended for strategical reconnaissance. Doubtless the French Government is making its own arrangements for bomb grouping. The bombs are released through two doors in the bottom of the fuselage.
  When ground attack missions are to be undertaken the four fixed wing guns are fitted and small fragmentation bombs are carried in chutes in the bomb lay.
  The manufacturers claim that the machine is also suitable for fighting, but it must be borne in mind that it is comparatively large and heavy and but lightly armed in comparison with other modern types of twin-engined fighters. The story of the development of the 167 as related in Fortune makes interesting reading.
  In 1938 Mr. Glenn Martin was out after new U.S. Army orders and in January of that year the Army put out specifications for a new competition for "attack bombers." These reflected a combination of European experience with relatively small twin-engined bombers and the U.S. Army's experience with ground-attack machines. An aircraft of about 15,000 lb. capable of over 280 m.p.h. was required. Martin, Douglas, Stearman and others submitted machines, but when the prototypes were about half finished the Army began to change its mind as to what it really wanted. It was announced that the competition would be held as arranged, but it was also stated that a new series of specifications for larger and heavier machines had been drawn up and that a competition would be set for April.
  Late in 1938 the French Government sent a mission to America and in the following February it was announced that 115 Martin 167s had been ordered, the figure later being increased to 215. In March the U.S. Army doggedly went through with its originally planned competition though no production orders were placed. The following month saw the completion and testing of the heavier, faster machines as a result of which a 15,000,000 dollar order was placed with the Douglas concern. "Thus," states Fortune, "the French got their American ships as the President desired, but the Army also emerged with a faster plane."


MARTIN 167
Two Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp S3C4-G engines

DIMENSIONS
   Span 61ft. 4in.
   Length 46ft. 8in.
   Height 16ft. 3in.
   Wing area 530.5 sq. ft.
WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS
   Weight empty 10,586 lb.
   Normal useful load 4,711 lb.
   Normal gross weight 15,297 lb.
   Useful load (max. range) 6,807 lb.
   Wing loading (normal) 28.5 lb./sq. ft.
PERFORMANCE
   Max. speed (sea level) 281 m.p.h.
   Max. speed at critical altitude 316 m.p.h.
   Service ceiling 31,000ft
   Absolute ceiling on one engine 14,000ft.
   Rate of climb at sea level 2,400ft./min.