| Martin BM | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A BM-2 of VT-2B in the early 1930s | |
| Role | Dive-bomber or Torpedo-bomber |
| Manufacturer | Martin |
| First flight | 1930 |
| Introduction | 1931 |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 32 |
The Martin BM was a 1930s American torpedo-bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company for the United States Navy.
Design and development[]
To meet the requirement for a special-purpose dive-bomber for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps the US Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics designed a biplane with fixed tailwheel landing gear. It had room for two crew in tandem. Two prototypes were ordered one from Martin (designated the XT5M-1) and one from the Naval Aircraft Factory (designated the XT2N-1). The Martin XT5M-1 was powered by a 525 hp (391 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1690-22 Hornet radial engine and following test during 1930, the Navy ordered 12 aircraft from Martin with the designation BM-1. The BM-1 had a more powerful R-1690-44 engine. A further order for four was followed by an order for 16 for the BM-2.
Operational history[]
The first delivery to the United States Navy was in September 1931 with the first squadron VT-1S on board USS Lexington. In 1934 both the BM-1 and BM-2 were used on board the USS Langley until 1937 when all the aircraft were withdrawn to shore bases.
Variants[]
18 BM-1s and BM-2s from VT-1S off San Diego.
- XT5M-1
- Prototype with R-1690-2 engine, one built.
- XT2N-1
- Protoype built by Naval Aircraft Factory
- BM-1
- Production aircraft, 16 built.
- BM-2
- Production aircraft with minor changes, 16 built.
Operators[]
Specifications (BM-2)[]
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 2433
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 28 ft 9 in (8.76 m)
- Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.5 m)
- Height: 12 ft 4 in (3.76 m)
- Wing area: 436 ft2 (40.5 m2)
- Empty weight: 3662 lb (1661 kg)
- Gross weight: 6218 lb (2820 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1690-44 radial engine, 625 hp (466 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 146 mph (235 km/h)
- Range: 413 miles (665 km)
- Service ceiling: 16,800 ft (5120 m)
Armament
See also[]
References[]
- John Andrade, U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9 (Page 171)
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Martin BM. |
- "Diving Bomber Adds New Terror to War." Popular Science, July 1930, p. 54.
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The original article can be found at Martin BM and the edit history here.