Martin AM-1 Mauler
In 1943 the U.S. Navy began to plan for a new type of attack aircraft, one that would combine the roles of the scout and torpedo bombers (such as the Curtiss Helldiver and Grumman Avenger). These plans drew on the experience of two years of active carrier operations and would reflect the changing demands of naval air power. The emphasis was to be on load-carrying capability and performance, using a single-seat airframe designed around the most powerful engine then available. The offensive load was to be placed on external hardpoints (instead of internal weapon bays), which would save in both airframe weight and complexity. Martin aircraft submitted a design proposal known as the Model 210, which was given the Navy designation XBTM-1. The first prototype flew in August 1944, with a production order for 750 BTM-1s following in January 1945. The designation was changed to AM-1 and the aircraft was given the name the Mauler. The first production aircraft did not fly until December 1946, with deliveries to an active Navy squadron starting in March 1948. Only 149 Maulers were completed before production ceased in October 1949, and most of these were passed the Navy Reserve squadrons. The Navy had instead decided to use the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider, which became the standard U.S. Navy attack aircraft, serving with distinction in Korea and Vietnam.
For a very informative page on this aircraft, click here for Air-Navy's AM-1webpage.
Additional information on this aircraft
can be found at Wikipedia
here.
(updated February 2009)
Martin AM-1 Mauler
Type: single-seat carrier-based attack aircraft Crew: 1 Armament: four 20mm cannon up to 4,500 lb. of bombs and/or rockets Specifications: Length: 41' 2" (12.55 m) Height: 16' 10 (5.13 m) Wingspan: 50' 0" (15.24 m) Wing area: 496 sq. ft (46.08 sq. m) Empty Weight: 14,500 lb (6577 kg) Max Weight: 23,386 lb (10,608 kg) max at takeoff Propulsion: No. of Engines: 1 Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-4360-4W 28-cylinder radial Note: some sources list the engine as a 2975 hp Wright R-3350-4 Cyclone 18 radial Horsepower: N/A, but the XF8B-1 had a P&W XR-4360-10 listed at 3000 hp
Performance: Range: 1800 miles (2897 km) Cruise Speed: 189 mph ( 304 km/h) Max Speed: 367 mph ( 591 km/h) at 11,600 ft Ceiling: 30,500 ft (9295 m)
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