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Martin Model 201


Tactical Attack Aircraft Proposal


United States | 1943



"The three-seat, twin-engine Model 201 from Martin was proposed during the thick of the fighting of World War 2 - but not selected for development."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Martin Model 201 Tactical Attack Aircraft Proposal.
2 x Allison V-3420 liquid-cooled inline piston engines developing 2,850 horsepower each and driving a pair of four-bladed propeller units at the nose in contra-rotating fashion.
Propulsion
426 mph
685 kph | 370 kts
Max Speed
22,999 ft
7,010 m | 4 miles
Service Ceiling
2,740 miles
4,410 km | 2,381 nm
Operational Range
3,100 ft/min
945 m/min
Rate-of-Climb
Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Martin Model 201 Tactical Attack Aircraft Proposal.
3
(MANNED)
Crew
63.3 ft
19.30 m
O/A Length
77.9 ft
(23.75 m)
O/A Width
22,046 lb
(10,000 kg)
Empty Weight
40,267 lb
(18,265 kg)
MTOW
Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Martin Model 201 Tactical Attack Aircraft Proposal .
PROPOSED, FIXED:
12 x 0.50 caliber Browning M2 Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs) in wings (six to a wing) OR 6 x 20mm autocannons in wings (three to a wing).
2 x 0.50 caliber Browning M2 HMGs in powered tail turret.

PROPOSED, OPTIONAL, VARIABLE:
18 x Air-to-surface rockets under the wings.
1 x 4,000lb drop bomb in internal bay.
4 x 1,000lb drop bombs in internal bay.
6 x 500lb drop bombs in internal bay.
15 x 100lb drop bombs in internal bay.
2 x Mk 13-2 torpedoes in internal bomb bay.
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Martin Model 201 family line.
Model 201 - Base Project Designation; design brochure completed for 1943 but project work abandoned before the end of the year.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/27/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

During the fighting of World War 2 (1939-1945), the prop-driven attack aircraft for the Allies reached its pinnacle as support from the air became particularly important in the drives on Rome, Berlin, and Tokyo. These multi-faceted machines were in high demand and were required against all manner of ground targets - trains, depots, ships and the like. For the United States, there proved no shortage of successful designs which included the classic Douglas A-26 "Invader" twin attacker and conversions of successful models such as the North American B-25 "Mitchell", another twin-engined type.

The Untied States Army Air Forces (USAAF) formed sizeable attack groups centered on twin-engined models supported by multiple crewmembers and broad weapon support. As the war progressed from the early stages of 1939 onwards, requirements for attackers evolved with it to the point that new designs were always being considered. In the middle of June 1943, the Glen L. Martin Company, no stranger to successful aircraft designs, drew up plans for a new USAAC attacker, the "Model 201", centered around a twin engine concept which was to seat its two powerplants inline - these driving a pair of four-bladed propellers at the nose in contra-rotating fashion.

The arrangement led to some inherent advantages in the design for the wings were not required to support dedicated engine nacelle structures, freeing these members for other vital components such as weaponry. Additionally, this allowed for reduced drag along the frontal areas of the aircraft (i.e. smaller profile), this having the potential in-built benefit of improved performance while also allowing for additional internal volume for fuel stores (made up of self-sealing fuel tanks via a "wet wing").

The engines of choice became 2 x Allison V-3420 liquid-cooled inline piston engines of 2,850 horsepower (each), experimental systems that were first run in 1937 and would go on to power the short-lived Fisher P-75 "Eagle" of the World War 2 period. Large and powerful, these units would supply considerable energy in the function of the aircraft in driving its twin propeller arrangement, securing high speeds for this rather advanced mid-sized platform.

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The fuselage was deep and rounded at its edges, contoured well for aerodynamic efficiency. At the nose sat the engines with their respective propellers fitted on individual spinner sections. The cockpit (seating two of its three crewmembers) was positioned just aft of the engines and covered by the usual framed approach popular during the time. The slender aircraft continued aft towards the tail where a single-finned rudder was fitted with low-mounted horizontal planes - these members featuring noticeable dihedral. The mainplanes were mid-mounted along the sides the fuselage, tapering towards their respective tips (which were rounded). Long-running flap control surfaces were seated at the trailing edges with ailerons carried outboard of these. The mainplanes, like the tailplanes, were given slight dihedral. For ground-running, a rather modern tricycle undercarriage (wholly retractable) would be used.

As an attacker type, the Model 201 would be outfitted with no fewer than 12 x 0.50 Browning Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs), six to a wing leading edge, giving formidable frontal firepower against any ground target. These were fixed and forward-firing installations controlled by the pilot. In place of these weapons could be 6 x 20mm autocannons, fitted as three to a wing, offering even greater firepower potential for the period. At the tail of the aircraft was proposed an emplacement for a powered turret housing 2 x 0.50 Browning HMGs to cover the aircraft's vulnerable rear (managed by a dedicated machine gunner). At the fuselage, internally, was space set aside for a modest bomb bay would carry either conventional drop ordnance or additional fuel stores (the latter for extended operational ranges). Bomb loadouts ranged from a single 4,000lb (or 4 x 1,000 pounders) weapon to 15 x 100lb drop weapons. Alternatively, for anti-ship sorties, the aircraft would be cleared to carry 2 x Mk 13-2 torpedoes. Furthermore, underwing hardpoints could support up to 18 x Air-to-surface rockets.

All this was to give the Model 201 excellent straightline performance, control and attack strength. It would be capable of assaulting all manner of targets below it through its fixed armament or drop bombs, laying waste to whatever was in its path. However, despite its promising nature, the Model 201 was not accepted (and therefore not furthered) by USAAF authorities for additional development as current in-service systems proved more than capable of seeing the war through. This led to the project being abandoned by Martin even before the end of 1943.

As designed, Martin engineers estimated their attacker to have a maximum speed of 425 miles-per-hour and reach altitudes of 23,000 feet. Rate-of-climb was near 3,100 feet-per-minute. Range (with its full war load) was 2,740 miles. Structurally, the Model 201's length would reach 63.3 feet with a span of 78 feet. Gross weight was estimated at 40,265lb.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Martin Model 201. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 0 Units

Contractor(s): Glen L. Martin Company - USA
National flag of the United States

[ United States (cancelled) ]
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Image of the Martin Model 201
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