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Martin PB2M Mars (Model 170)- long-range naval patrol flying boat.
Total produced: 1 BuNo. 1520
Powerplants: 4 x 2250 hp (1680 kW) Wright R-3350-8 Double Cyclone, 18-cylinder air-cooled radial engines driving threebladed, electric controllable-pitch laminated wooden propellers (XPB2M-1R refitted with metal propellers).
Armament: single 7,62mm (.30 in) machine gun each in nose, dorsal, waist, and tail turrets and up to 4540 kg (10,000 lbs) of bombs, torpedoes, or depth charges carried in two upper hull bays.
Crew: 11
In 1943 XPB2M-1 was disarmed and converted to a transport configuration as the XPB2M-1R. Mars was assigned to the VR-8 (1943) and VR-2 (January 1944).
XPB2M-1 April 1943
XPB2M-1 April 1943 2
XPB2M-1R over San Francisco
XPB2M-1 April 1943 4
XPB2M 2
Martin XPB2M-1 April 1943 3
XPB2M-1R May 1944
XPB2M-1R
Launching of Martin XPB2M Mars 8 November 1941 3
Launching of XPB2M Mars 8 November 1941 2
XPB2M-1R 4
XPB2M-1R 3
XPB2M-1R January 1944
XPB2M-1 April 1943 5
XPB2M-1 “Mars” after launching on 8 November 1941
XPB2M-1 Mars test flight, 1942
Flying boat Martin XPB2M-1R Mars “Old Lady” after completing conversion to a transport
US Navy Martin XPB2M-1R Mars flying boat of the VR-8 – 1943
Martin XPB2M-1 Mars on the ground in May 1942
XPB2M-1 Mars take off July 3, 1942
Martin XPB2M-1 Mars during water tests on Chesapeake Bay 1941
Martin PB2M Mars (Model 170)- long-range naval patrol flying boat.
Total produced: 1 BuNo. 1520
Powerplants: 4 x 2250 hp (1680 kW) Wright R-3350-8 Double Cyclone, 18-cylinder air-cooled radial engines driving threebladed, electric controllable-pitch laminated wooden propellers (XPB2M-1R refitted with metal propellers).
Armament: single 7,62mm (.30 in) machine gun each in nose, dorsal, waist, and tail turrets and up to 4540 kg (10,000 lbs) of bombs, torpedoes, or depth charges carried in two upper hull bays.
Crew: 11
In 1943 XPB2M-1 was disarmed and converted to a transport configuration as the XPB2M-1R. Mars was assigned to the VR-8 (1943) and VR-2 (January 1944).
Specifications:
max speed | 356 km/h at 1370 m (221 mph at 4500 ft) |
330 km/h at 0 m (205 mph at 0 ft) | |
cruising speed | 240 km/h (149 mph) |
service ceiling | 4450 m (14,600 ft) |
climb rate | 2,23 m/s (440 ft/min) |
max range | 7958 km (4,945 miles) |
empty weight | 34279 kg (75,573 lbs) |
loaded weight | 65317 kg (144,000 lbs) |
span | 60,96 m (200 ft) |
lenght | 35,73 m (117ft 3in) |
height | 11,7 m (38 ft 5in) |
wing area | 342.16 m2 (3,683 sq. ft) |
Bibliography:
- American Flying Boats and Amphibious Aircraft – E.R. Johnson
- Wings Of Fame – The Journal Of Classic Combat Aircraft – Volume 7
- Steve Ginter – Naval Fighters Number Twenty-Nine Martin Mars XPB2M-1R & JRM Flying Boats
- R. Johnson – United States Naval Aviation, 1919-1941: Aircraft, Airships and Ships Between the Wars