https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Baltimore
The Martin 187 Baltimore was a twin-engined light attack bomber built by the
Glenn L. Martin Company in the United States, originally ordered by the French
in May 1940 as a follow-up to the earlier Martin Maryland, then in service in
France. With the fall of France, the production series was diverted to Great
Britain. Baltimore development was hindered by a series of problems, although
the type eventually became a highly versatile combat aircraft. Produced in large
numbers, the Baltimore was not used in combat by the United States forces, but
eventually served with the British, Canadian, Australian, South African,
Hellenic and the Italian air forces.
Initially designated the A-23 (derived from the A-22 Martin 167 Maryland
design), the Model 187 (company designation) had a deeper fuselage and more
powerful engines. The Model 187 met the needs for a light to medium bomber,
originally ordered by the Anglo-French Purchasing Commission as a joint project
in May 1940. The French Air Force sought to replace the earlier Maryland; 400
aircraft being ordered. With the fall of France, the Royal Air Force (RAF) took
over the order and gave it the service name Baltimore. To enable the aircraft to
be supplied to the British under the Lend-Lease Act the United States Army Air
Forces designation A-30 was allocated. (With the passing of the Lend Lease Act
two further batches of 575 and then 600 were provided to the RAF.)
Role
Light bomber
Reconnaissance
Manufacturer
Glenn L. Martin Company
First flight
14 June 1941
Introduction
1941
Retired
1949
Status
retired
Primary users
Royal Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
South African Air Force
Number built
1,575
Unit cost
$120,000
Developed from
Martin Maryland
The first British aircraft were delivered in late 1941 to equip Operational
Training Units. The RAF only used the Baltimores operationally in the
Mediterranean theater and North Africa.
Many users were impressed by the step up that the Baltimore represented from
older aircraft like the Bristol Blenheim. The users of the Baltimore, and Martin
pilot Benjamin R. Wallace, praised the aircraft for its heavy armament,
structural strength, maneuverability, bombing accuracy, and relatively high
performance, but crews complained of cramped conditions similar to those in the
earlier Maryland bomber. Due to the narrow fuselage it was nearly impossible for
crew members to change positions during flight if wounded (the structure of the
interior meant that the pilot and observer were separated from the wireless
operator and rear gunner). This was common for most light bombers of the era
like the Handley Page Hampden, Douglas Boston, and Blenheim. Crews also
complained about the difficulties in handling the aircraft on the ground. On
takeoff, the pilot had to co-ordinate the throttles perfectly to avoid a
nose-over, or worse.
Thrown into action to stop Rommel's advance, the Baltimore suffered massive
losses when it was utilized as a low-level attack aircraft, especially in the
chaos of the desert war where most missions went unescorted. However, operating
at medium altitude with fighter escorts, the Baltimore had a very low loss rate,
with the majority of losses coming from operational accidents.
Undertaking a variety of missions in the Middle East, Mediterranean and European
theaters, the Baltimore's roles included reconnaissance, target-towing, maritime
patrol, night intruder and even served as highly uncomfortable fast transports.
The Baltimore saw limited Fleet Air Arm service with aircraft transferred from
the RAF in the Mediterranean to equip a squadron in 1944. Used in the
anti-submarine role during the war, the Baltimore achieved moderate success,
sinking up to eight U-boats.
Specifications (Baltimore GR.V)
General characteristics
Crew: four: pilot, navigator/bombardier, radio operator, gunner
Length: 48 ft 6 in (14.8 m)
Wingspan: 61 ft 4 in (18.7 m)
Height: 14 ft 2 in (4.32 m)
Empty weight: 15,991 lb (7,253 kg)
Loaded weight: 23,185 lb (10,900 kg)
each
Performance
Maximum speed: 305 mph (295 kn, 488 km/h) at 11,600 ft (3,540 m)
Cruise speed: 224 mph (360 km/h)
Range: 980 miles (1,577 km)
Power/mass: 0.14 hp/lb (220 W/kg)
Armament
(7.7 mm) machine guns.
Bombs: 2,000 lb (910 kg) carried internally
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