Martin XB-33 Super Marauder Proposed High-Altitude Medium / Heavy Bomber

The Martin XB-33 Super Marauder was an extension of the earlier B-26 Marauder bomber series but failed to gain traction during the height of WW2 manufacturing.

Updated: 10/26/2016; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

Before World War 2 (1939-1945), authorities within the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) became painfully aware of the limitations inherent in many of their frontline combat aircraft. Specifically, it lacked a high-altitude bomb delivery platform which would use its high-flying capabilities to simply avoid enemy ground-based fire. In 1939, the service put forth a requirement for a new medium-class bomber to fill the void resulting in two competing submissions being entertained - the North American XB-28 "Dragon" (based on its B-25 "Mitchell" design) and the Martin XB-33. The designs were given prototypes contracts in 1940 (America did not officially enter the war until December of 1941).

The XB-33 was based on a reworked Martin B-26 "Marauder" and therefore came to be known under the name of "Super Marauder". The initial approach - XB-33 - saw a more slightly-refined B-26 form used that relied on a standard twin-engine approach (2 x Wright R-3350 "Duplex-Cyclone" radial engines). Two prototypes of this standard were ordered but never built. Realizing the capabilities needed for high-altitude performance, Martin returned with a four-engined approach (4 x Wright R-2600-15 radial engines - the original Wright R-3350 stock now redirected to Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" production) superseding the twin-engine model and this became the XB-33A. Beyond its four engines (two nacelles per wing), the B-26 airframe and wings were completely enlarged for the role. Before the end, the medium bomber looked - and would function - more the part of heavy bomber as its qualities grew more in line with other high altitude performers of the day, namely the Boeing B-29 Superfortress.

Again the Army ordered two prototypes of this design and a further 400 production models to carry the B-33A designation (to be built at a Martin plant in Nebraska) in January of 1942. However, progress on the B-29 product was of the utmost importance that Martin was given a contract to help in its manufacture, thus derailing the B-33 initiative in whole. The production contract for 400 was rescinded on November 25th, 1942 and neither of the prototypes were completed. The B-29, meanwhile, went down in wartime lore as the aircraft to drop the two atomic bombs on Japan, helping to bring about the end of World War 2.

Dimensions of the B-33 included a wingspan of 134 feet, a length of 79.9 feet, and a height of 24 feet. The four engine configuration was set to provide a maximum speed of 345 miles per hour for the bomber. The crew numbered seven and would have operated in pressurized cabin spaces. The general arrangement of the aircraft was conventional with a stepped cockpit at front, shoulder-mounted wing mainplanes near midships, and a tapered empennage. The tail unit carried a twin-rudder arrangement. Various defensive positions (nose, dorsal turret, ventral turret, and tail) would be armed by way of 8 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns (two guns to a position). The projected bomb load (all ordnance to be held internally) was 10,000 lb.

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Martin XB-33B Technical Specifications

Service Year: 1942
Type: Proposed High-Altitude Medium / Heavy Bomber
National Origin: United States
Manufacturer(s): Glen L. Martin Company - USA
Production Total: 0

Structural (Crew Space, Dimensions and Weights)

Operating Crew (Typical): 7
Overall Length: 79.07 feet (24.1 meters)
Overall Width: 133.99 feet (40.84 meters)
Overall Height: 23.98 feet (7.31 meters)

Weight (Empty): 83,776 lb (38,000 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 105,822 lb (48,000 kg)

Installed Power and Standard Day Performance

Propulsion: 4 x Wright R-2600-15 radial piston engines developing 1,800 horsepower each and driving three-bladed propellers.

Maximum Speed: 345 mph (555 kph; 300 knots)
Maximum Range: 3,107 miles (5,000 km)
Service Ceiling: 39,370 feet (12,000 meters; 7.46 miles)

Armament / Mission Payload

STANDARD:
2 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns in nose position.
2 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns in dorsal turret.
2 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns in ventral turret.
2 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns in tail position.

OPTIONAL:
Up to 10,000lb of internally-held conventional drop stores.

Global Operators / Customers

United States (cancelled)

Model Variants (Including Prototypes)

XB-33 "Super Marauder" - Base Project Designation

XB-33 - Twin-engined proposal fitting Wright R-3350 engines of 1,800 horsepower each; two prototypes cancelled.

XB-33A - Four-engined prototype proposal fitting Wright R-2600-15 engines of 1,800 horsepower each; two prototypes cancelled; dimensionally larger than original XB-33 offering.

B-33A - Production model designation