Proposed High-Altitude Medium / Heavy Bomber [ 1942 ]
The Martin XB-33 Super Marauder was an extension of the earlier B-26 Marauder medium bomber series but failed to gain traction during the height of WW2 manufacturing.
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 (company Model 189). 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 The production contract for 400 was rescinded on November 25th, 1942 and neither of the prototypes were completed.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.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
✓X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator)
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.
Length
79.1 ft (24.10 m)
Width/Span
134.0 ft (40.84 m)
Height
24.0 ft (7.31 m)
Empty Wgt
83,776 lb (38,000 kg)
MTOW
105,822 lb (48,000 kg)
Wgt Diff
+22,046 lb (+10,000 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Martin XB-33B production variant)
monoplane / shoulder-mounted / straight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
Shoulder-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted at the upper section of the fuselage, generally at the imaginary line intersecting the pilot's shoulders.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the Martin XB-33B production variant)
Installed:
4 x Wright R-2600-15 radial piston engines developing 1,800 horsepower each and driving three-bladed propellers.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Martin XB-33B production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
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 (drop bombs).
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 0
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
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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United States (cancelled)
