Martin XBTM-1 / AM-1 Mauler

Benefiting from early combat experience in World War II, the US Navy drew up a specification for a new single-seat carrier-based attack aircraft. The Martin Model 210 design proposal gained a contract for two XBTM-1 prototypes, the first being flown initially on 26 August 1944.

A cantilever low-wing monoplane with retractable tail-wheel landing gear, powered by a 2237kW Pratt & Whitney XR-4360-4 radial engine, the XBTM-1 was tested successfully and gained a contract for 750 BTM-1 series aircraft. By the time that the first of these was flown, on 16 December 1946, the designation had been changed to AM-1 and the name Mauler selected.

World War II had also ended, and instead of the planned procurement only 149 AM-1s (excluding prototypes) had been completed when production ended in October 1949.

Initial deliveries to an active unit went to Attack Squadron VA-17A on 1 March 1948, but these aircraft saw little first-line service, being transferred to US Navy Reserve squadrons when production ended by 1955.

The total of 149 built included 17 AM-1Q aircraft completed as ECM (electronic counter-measures) aircraft.

Martin AM1 Mauler
Engine: Pratt&Whitney R-3350-4 Cyclone 18, 2934 hp / 2218kW
Length: 41.175 ft / 12.55 m
Height: 16.831 ft / 5.13 m
Wingspan: 50.0 ft / 15.24 m
Wing area: 496.005 sq.ft / 46.08 sq.m
Max take off weight: 23390.6 lb / 10608.0 kg
Weight empty: 14502.3 lb / 6577.0 kg
Max. speed: 319 kts / 591 km/h / 367 mph
Cruising speed: 164 kts / 304 km/h
Service ceiling: 30495 ft / 9295 m
Wing load: 47.15 lb/sq.ft / 230.0 kg/sq.m
Range: 1564 nm / 2897 km / 1802 miles
Crew: 1
Armament: 4x MG 20mm, 2041kg Bomb./Rockets

Martin AM-1 Mauler