Martin XB-16
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Like the Boeing XB-15, the Martin XB-16 (Martin Model 145) was designed to meet the United States Army Air Corps' request for a bomber that could carry 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) of bombs 5,000 miles (8,000 km).
The XB-16 was to use four Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled inline engines. (All other contemporary aircraft used radial air-cooled engines.)
In 1935, Martin revised the XB-16 design. The wing span was increased to from 140 ft (42.7 m) to 173 ft (52.7 m), and a set of V-1710 engines added to the trailing edge. This version had a wingspan 20% greater than that of the B-29 Superfortress, the first operational bomber that would fill the role intended for the XB-16.
The XB-16 was cancelled for essentially the same reason the B-15 project was: it wasn't fast enough to meet the requirements set by the army. Since both were cancelled around the same time, Martin did not have time to produce an XB-16.
[edit] Specifications (as designed)
General characteristics
- Crew: 11
- Length: 115 ft (35.0 m)
- Wingspan:
- Original design: 140 ft (43 m)
- 1935 redesign: 173 ft (52.7 m)
- Height: ft in (m)
- Wing area: ft² (m²)
- Empty weight: 104,880 lb (47,573 kg)
- Powerplant: 4, later 6× Allison V-1710 , 850 hp (640 kW) each
Performance (estimated)
- Maximum speed: 190 mph (170 kt, 310 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 140 mph (120 kt, 230 km/h)
- Range: 3,300 mi (2,900 nm, 5,300 km)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.049 hp/lb (80 W/kg)
