Martin XB-16
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XB-15_Bomber.jpg
Like the Boeing XB-15, the Martin XB-16 was designed to meet the U.S. Army's request for a bomber that could carry 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of bombs 5,000 miles (8045 km). Its design was very similar to that of the XB-15, but it was 30% longer.
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 first Very Heavy Bomber, the B-29 Superfortress.
The XB-16 was cancelled for essentially the same reason that 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.
Specifications (1935 design)
General Characteristics
- Crew: 11
- Length: 115 ft (35.0 m)
- Wingspan: 173 ft (52.7 m)
- Empty: 104,880 lb (47,573 kg)
- Powerplant: 6× Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled inline engines of 850 hp (640 kW) each
Performance (estimated)
- Maximum speed: 190 mph (310 km/h)
- Cruising speed: 140 mph (230 km/h)
- Combat Range: 3,300 miles (5,300 km)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
- Power/Mass: 0.0486 hp/lb (0.0800 kW/kg)
External links
- USAF Museum description of XB-16 (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-12.htm)
Related Content
Comparable aircraft: Boeing XB-15 - B-29 Superfortress
Designation sequence: XB-13 - XB-14 - XB-15 - XB-16 - B-17 - B-18 - XB-19
Related Lists: List of military aircraft of the United States - List of bomber aircraft
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