×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Chart (2024) Special Forces
HOME
AVIATION INDEX
MODERN AIR FORCES
AIRCRAFT BY COUNTRY
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE AIRCRAFT
AIRCRAFT BY CONFLICT
AIRCRAFT BY TYPE
AIRCRAFT BY DECADE
WWII AIRCRAFT
X-PLANE AIRCRAFT
Aviation / Aerospace

Martin Model 201


Tactical Attack Aircraft Proposal [ 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.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/27/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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.©MilitaryFactory.com
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.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications



Glen L. Martin Company - USA
Manufacturer(s)
United States (cancelled)
Operators National flag of the United States
1943
Service Year
United States
National Origin
Cancelled
Project Status
3
Crew
0
Units


GROUND ATTACK
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
SPECIAL-MISSION: ANTI-SHIP
Equipped to search, track, and engage enemy surface elements through visual acquisition, radar support, and onboard weaponry.
INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
X-PLANE
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.


63.3 ft
(19.30 meters)
Length
77.9 ft
(23.75 meters)
Width/Span
22,046 lb
(10,000 kilograms)
Empty Weight
40,267 lb
(18,265 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight
+18,221 lb
(+8,265 kg)
Weight Difference


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 knots)
Max Speed
22,999 ft
(7,010 m | 4 miles)
Ceiling
2,740 miles
(4,410 km | 2,381 nm)
Range
3,100 ft/min
(945 m/min)
Rate-of-Climb


MACH Regime (Sonic)
Sub
Trans
Super
Hyper
HiHyper
ReEntry
RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030


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.


18
Hardpoints


Model 201 - Base Project Designation; design brochure completed for 1943 but project work abandoned before the end of the year.


General Assessment
Firepower  
Performance  
Survivability  
Versatility  
Impact  
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
84
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 500mph
Lo: 250mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (426mph).

Graph average of 375 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
 
  LON
LON
 
  PAR
PAR
 
  BER
BER
 
  MOS
MOS
 
  TOK
TOK
 
  SYD
SYD
 
  LAX
LAX
 
  NYC
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Small airplane graphic
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Pie graph section
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
>>>>

Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force
Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway
Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift
Military lapel ribbon for the Chaco War
Military lapel ribbon for the Cold War
Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis
Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War
Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War
Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight
Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War
Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars
Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War
Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War
Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War
Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency
Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor
Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War
Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War
Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War
Military lapel ribbon for Special Forces
Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis
Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War
Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War
Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era
Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2
Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur War
Military lapel ribbon for experimental x-plane aircraft

Images



1 / 1
Image of the Martin Model 201
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)