| MB-1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Martin MB-1 GMB | |
| Role | Large biplane bomber Type of aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Glenn L. Martin Company |
| Designer | Donald Wills Douglas, Sr.[1] |
| First flight | 17 August 1918 |
| Introduction | 1918 |
| Primary users | United States Army Air Service United States Navy United States Marine Corps United States Postal Service |
| Number built | 20[2] |
TheMartin MB-1 was an American large biplane bomber designed and built by theGlenn L. Martin Company for theUnited States Army Air Service in 1918. It was the first purpose-built bomber produced by the United States.
In 1921 Martin produced its KG.1 variant of the MB-1, with ten purchased by the Navy astorpedo bombers under the designation MBT. After two were purchased, the designation was changed to Martin MT.
In response to a requirement from the Air Service for a bomber that was superior to theHandley Page O/400, Martin proposed the MB-1 and were rewarded with an initial production contract for six aircraft. The MB-1 was a conventional biplane design with twin fins and rudders mounted above the tailplane and a fixed tailwheel landing gear with four-wheel main gear. Powered by two 400 hp (298 kW)Liberty 12A engines, it had room for a crew of three in open cockpits.
Initial delivery to the Air Service was in October 1918, with the aircraft designatedGMB for Glenn Martin Bomber. The first four produced were configured as observation aircraft, and the next two as bombers. Four others were produced before the end ofWorld War I cancelled all remaining war contracts. The last three aircraft each were configured experimentally, with separate designations:GMT (Glenn Martin Transcontinental), a long-range version with a 1,500 mi (2,400 km) range;GMC (Glen Martin Cannon) with a nose-mounted 37 mm (1.46 in) cannon; andGMP (Glenn Martin Passenger) as an enclosed ten-passenger transport. The GMP was later redesignatedT-1. Six surviving aircraft were later modified and used by theUnited States Post Office Department as mail carriers. The design was the basis for theMartin MB-2, which had a greater load capability but was slower and less maneuverable.
Ten aircraft were used by the United States Navy from 1922 under the designationsMBT andMT and were used as torpedo bombers, two by the Navy and eight by Marine Corps squadron VF-2M. On 5 October 1923, the Marine Corps entered an MT, serial number A-5720, in theNational Air Races inSt. Louis. The aircraft raced with the racing number 58, placing third on the 160 nautical miles; 190 miles (300 km) course.[3]
They were used in theWest Virginian Coal Wars, notably in theBattle of Blair Mountain, as bombers and aerial observers sent in by PresidentWarren Harding. One aircraft was lost, crashing on the return flight, with the loss of three crewmen.
Data from United States Military Aircraft since 1909[4]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Notes
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Media related toMartin MB-1 at Wikimedia Commons
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