Martin XB-16
Encyclopedia
Like the Boeing XB-15
, the Martin
XB-16 (Martin Model 145) was designed to meet the United States Army Air Corps
' request for a bomber that could carry 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) of bombs 5,000 mi (8,000 km).
The XB-16 was to use four Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled inline engine
s; contemporary American aircraft used air-cooled radial engine
s.
In 1935
, Martin revised the XB-16 design. The wing span was increased from 140 ft (42.7 m) to 173 ft (52.7 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.
Boeing XB-15
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Boniface, Patrick. "Boeing's Forgotten Monster: XB-15 a Giant in Search of a Cause." Air Enthusiast, 79 January–February 1999....
, the Martin
Glenn L. Martin Company
The Glenn L. Martin Company was an American aircraft and aerospace manufacturing company that was founded by the aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin. The Martin Company produced many important aircraft for the defense of the United States and its allies, especially during World War II and the Cold War...
XB-16 (Martin Model 145) was designed to meet the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
' request for a bomber that could carry 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) of bombs 5,000 mi (8,000 km).
The XB-16 was to use four Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled inline engine
Reciprocating engine
A reciprocating engine, also often known as a piston engine, is a heat engine that uses one or more reciprocating pistons to convert pressure into a rotating motion. This article describes the common features of all types...
s; contemporary American aircraft used air-cooled radial engine
Radial engine
The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders point outward from a central crankshaft like the spokes on a wheel...
s.
In 1935
1935 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1935:- Events :* Employing aerial refueling, a sustained flight record of 653 hours 33 minutes is set...
, Martin revised the XB-16 design. The wing span was increased from 140 ft (42.7 m) to 173 ft (52.7 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
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
, 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.