The Martin MB-1 (also known as the "Glenn Martin Bomber") became the first American-designed heavy bomber type to be purchased in quantity in the First World War, becoming the mainstay of the United States Army Air Service (USAAS) for a time. The system was a two-engine bomber of indigenous creation (previous US bombers were simply license production derivatives of European origin) and was designed by the Glenn Martin Company. In the end, only nine full-operational systems would become available by war's end but the type would soldier on until being replaced in 1920 by the more capable Martin MB-2 series.
Power was derived from two Liberty 12-A engines mounted between the upper and lower wing assemblies. Each engine developed a reported 400 horsepower and straddled the fuselage where three to four crewmembers were called upon to man the various open-cockpit stations. Armament was defensive and was made up of no fewer than 5 x 7.62mm machine guns in various positions about the fuselage including the bow nose mount. Offensive firepower consisted of up to 2,000lbs of ordnance. The undercarriage was of a fixed type and consisted of four wheels. First production examples were received in October of 1918.
The MB-1 was designed to replace the Handley-Page O/400 bomber series of British design and the Caproni bomber series of Italian design. The MB-1 came about at a time when the United States depended heavily on the purchase of foreign designs or all-out completed production models to maintain a workable military presence so the arrival of the MB-1 was quite a historic footnote for the nation. The system was called upon to fulfill the primary role of reconnaissance platform with a secondary role as a dedicated bomber. It would serve only a few short years in a military capacity before being replaced in frontline service by the aforementioned MB-2 series, which was in essence a further developed version of the MB-1 series.
A few modified MB-1 models existed and are worthy of note. These include an MB-1 with a 37mm cannon mounted in the 7.62mm bow-mount machine gun position. This particular MB-1 is designated as the GMC for "Glenn Martin Canon" and known by the serial AS62951. Additionally, the MB-1 with serial AS39059 sported a third Hispano-Suiza engine in the nose. A ten-passenger model existed as the GMP ("Glen Martin Passenger"). The MB-1 also served for a time as a mail carrier plane in the form of the T-1 in the post-war years.
Status Retired, Out-of-Service
Crew 3 or 4
Production 22 Units
Glenn Martin Company (Martin) - USA
- Ground Attack
- Reconnaissance (RECCE)
44.09 ft (13.44 m)
71.49 ft (21.79 m)
14.70 ft (4.48 m)
2 x Liberty 12-A engines developing 400 horsepower each.
104 mph (168 kph; 91 kts)
12,247 feet (3,733 m; 2.32 miles)
390 miles (627 km; 339 nm)
(Showcased performance values pertain to the Martin MB-1 / Glenn Martin Bomber production model; Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database)
2 x 7.62mm Lewis machien guns in bow position
2 x 7.62mm Lewis machine guns in upper rear fuselage.
1 x 7.62mm Lewis machine gun in lower rear fuselage.
Up to 2,000lb of ordnance
(Showcased armament details pertain to the Martin MB-1 / Glenn Martin Bomber production model)
MB-1 - Martin Company Designation / Military Designation.
GMB "Glen Martin Bomber" - United States Army Air Service designation for MB-1 series.
GMT "Glenn Martin Transcontinental" - Fitted with fuel tanks for increased range.
GMC "Glen Martin Canon" - Fitted with 1 x 37mm cannon replacing bow-mounted 7.62mm machine gun.
GMP "Glenn Martin Passenger" - Accommodations for up to 10 passengers; redesignated to T-1.
MBT "Martin Bombers - Torpedo" - Torpedo Bomber Variant; used by the United States Navy.
MT "Martin Torpedo" - Used by the United States Navy; based on MB-1 system with wing assembly of MB-2 bombers; redesignated to TM-1.
T-1 - GMP Redesignation
TM-1 - MT Redesignation
MB-1 / NBS-1 - "Improved" MB-1 Model Series
* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.
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