The 1930s saw considerable technological growth concerning military aircraft. Losing inventory space were the classic "fabric-over-wood" biplanes debuted during, and after, World War 1 (1914-1918) with these being actively succeeded by more metal-skinned types relying on stronger metal under-structures. While biplanes still existed in various frontline fighting forms, the monoplane was picking up steam as the aircraft-wing-design-of-choice from newer entries.
In 1933, U.S. military personnel at Wright Field undertook work to flesh out a new all- modern bomber - one that could carry a war load of at least 2,500 lb out to distances of 5,000 miles while maintaining a speed of 200 miles per hour. The United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) developed "Project-A" around these specifications and this was presented in 1934 to large-aircraft makers Boeing and Martin. The intent was to develop an bombing platform capable of reaching (and subsequently protecting) American interests in far-off places like Alaska, Hawaii, and Panama.
The Glen L. Martin Company was founded in 1912 and contributed to the American aircraft effort of World War 1 - its biggest success being the MB-1 biplane bomber of 1918. From there came the MB-2 of the 1920s and culminated with the B-10 of 1932. The B-10s entry was of particular note as it marked the first mass-produced bomber that could outrun "pursuit" fighters of the period. Nearly 350 of this Martin product were produced.
Martin's submission to the project was known internally as "Model 145". To contend with the requested range and performance, a four-engined layout was selected - power stemming from 4 x Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled inline piston engines of 1,000 horsepower each. This proved something of a departure for the USAAC as its contemporary stock of large aircraft relied heavily on trusty air-cooled radial piston engines. Liquid-cooled inline engines aided high-altitude performance and could be fitted within more streamlined nacelles, therefore inherently improving aerodynamic efficiency. The trade off in selecting an inline engine, however, was in the increased vulnerability to enemy fire due to the internally fragile nature of such an engine.
For the USAAC program, the Model 145 was designated the "XB-16" and a prototype was commissioned (Boeing's entry became the "XB-15" and is detailed elsewhere on this site). A twin-boom form was achieved in which the crew sections, bomb load, and other primary mission components were held in a centralized nacelle. The wide-spanning wing elements (showcasing a combined 140 foot span) were affixed to this structure and high-mounted. Each wing was to hold a pair of engine nacelles that were well-contoured into the general shape of the wing elements themselves. The cockpit was stepped (the pilot's overlooking the aircraft's nose section) and window panes accompanied the bombardier's position at the nose. The tail booms emanated from the wing trailing edges and were capped at their absolute ends by vertical tail fins. The booms were joined to one another by a shared horizontal plane that also protruded from the vertical fin sides outboard. A tricycle undercarriage (wholly retractable) was envisioned for the final design and the standard operating crew would number ten.
Initially, the XB-16 design was roughly equivalent in dimension to the Boeing submission but it was decided by Martin to increase its bomber's size to meet the intended bomb load and range requirements (an increase to internal space allowed for greater fuel loads to be carried and lifting and strength properties could be spread out over the larger aircraft as a result. The wing span now measured 173 feet - even greater than the World War 2-era Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" still to come - and these changes called for a new company model designator to be used, the "Model 145B".
The larger aircraft required more power so an additional pair of engines was added. As the original set faced forward at each wing leading edge, the two additional engines were positioned to face aft at each wing trailing edge. In all each wing would hold three engines apiece with the new engine installs added directly behind the existing outboard fits.
In the end, it was decided by USAAC authorities that the Martin bomber could not meet the intended requirements, particularly in the category of speed. It was estimated that the XB-16 was to have a maximum speed of 237 miles per hour, reach out to 5,000 miles (3,200 mile mission range), and reach an altitude of 22,500 feet. Its rated bomb load was 12,180lb of internally-held drop ordnance. As such, the XB-16 was cancelled before any tangible work on a prototype was ever completed.
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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
114.8 ft (35.00 m)
Width/Span
141.1 ft (43.00 m)
Height
18.0 ft (5.50 m)
Empty Wgt
31,967 lb (14,500 kg)
MTOW
104,940 lb (47,600 kg)
Wgt Diff
+72,973 lb (+33,100 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Martin XB-16 (Model 145) production variant)
Installed:
Model 145A: 4 x Allison V-1710-3 V12 liquid-cooled inline piston engines developing 1,000 horsepower each and driving three-bladed propeller units (inboard engines "puller"; outboard engines "pusher").
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Martin XB-16 (Model 145) 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)
PROPOSED STANDARD, ASSUMED:
2 x 0.30 caliber machine guns in dorsal turret.
2 x 0.30 caliber machine guns in port side engine nacelle (inboard engine).
2 x 0.30 caliber machine guns in starboard side engine nacelle (inboard engine).
2 x 0.30 caliber machine guns in rear fuselage emplacement.
2 x 0.30 caliber machine guns in port side tail boom section.
2 x 0.30 caliber machine guns in starboard side tail boom section.
PROPOSED, OPTIONAL:
An internal bomb load of up to 12,180 lb (conventional drop ordnance / drop bombs).
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 0
XB-16 - Base Prototype Designation; none completed.
Model 145 / Model 145A - Original design with 140-foot wingspan and four-engine configuration.
Model 145B - Revised product with 173-foot wingspan and six-engine configuration.
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)
