United States' Martin 187 Baltimore A-30 bomber
Photos
Martin Baltimore bomber: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook |
Martin Baltimore bomber: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook |
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Martin Baltimore Mk V bomber3: |
Design
In 1937 the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) put out a specification for a light bomber.4 The Martin 187 Baltimore was designated the A-30 but was never used by the American military.4
The design for the Martin 187 Baltimore was based on the Martin 167 Maryland.1,3,5 The wings on both planes were nearly identical.1
The British wanted to have a plane that the crew members could communicated between each other, which the Martin 167 Maryland lacked.2 The British ordered the Baltimores in May 1940.3
Crew Cabin
The cabin in the Baltimore was very cramped and if the pilot became injured it was near impossible for another crew member to take over the controls.1
Engines
The Baltimore originally had the Wright R-2600-19 engines before using the Wright R-2600-29 radials.1
Tail
The rear fuselage was nearly like a boom holding the tail unit.1 The front fuselage for the Baltimore was deeper than the Maryland's.1
Prototypes
The Baltimore was first flown on June 14, 1941.2,3
Production
Deliveries of the Baltimore Mk I began in October 1941 and ended in May 1944.3
The cost of the Baltimore was $120,000.1
- Martin Baltimore Mk I: 502,3
- Martin Baltimore Mk II: 1002,3
- Martin Baltimore Mk III: 2502,3
- Martin Baltimore Mk IIIA: 2812,3
- Martin Baltimore Mk IV: 2942,3
- Martin Baltimore Mk V: 6002,3
- Total: 1,5751,3,4
- Manufacturer: Glenn L. Martin Company4
- Production: ? - May 19444
Variants
- Martin 187: Martin's designation.5
- Martin Baltimore Mk I: Had Wright R-2600-A5B engines (1,600 HP).2 There was a single machine gun in the dorsal position.2,4
- Martin Baltimore Mk II: Had twin guns in dorsal position.2,4
- Martin Baltimore Mk III: To improve protection from attacks from above a Boulton-Paul turret was installed.1,2,3,4 It contained four Browning 7.7 mm MGs.1 Had Wright R-2600-19 engines.2
- Martin Baltimore Mk IIIA: Had Martin turret.3
- Martin Baltimore Mk IV: Had a Martin dorsal turret.2,3
- Martin Baltimore Mk V: Had Wright R-2600-29 engines (1,700 HP).2 Had a Martin turret.4
Usage
The Baltimores were used by Australia, Britain, France, Greece, Italy, South Africa, and Turkey.3
United Kingdom
400 Baltimores were ordered by the United Kingdom.1 20 were lost at sea while on the way by ship to England.1
A total of 1,575 Baltimores were delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) and all of them fought in the Mediterranean theater.2,3 There were seven RAF squadrons and two South African Air Force squadrons equipped with Baltimores.2
North Africa
All of the initial order of 400 Baltimores were shipped to Egypt to help fight against Rommel and his 1942 offensive.1 They were used quite effectively while being escorted by Curtis Kittyhawks at El Alamein.1
Italian Co-Belligerents
Some (40 Baltimore Mk IVs and Baltimore Mk Vs4) Baltimores were given to the Italian Co-Belligerent Forces and equipped the Stormo Baltimore that were used in the Balkans in 1945.2,3
Turkey
Turkey received some Baltimores towards the end of World War II as a part of a Lend-Lease agreement.1
After World War II
After the war the United States Navy used the Baltimores to test experimental airfoils.1
The Royal Air Force used Baltimores in Kenya for aerial mapping and locust control until 1948.1
Specifications
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
- Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook, Ensign L. C. Guthman, 1943
