Martin AM Mauler

Glenn L. Martin Company · United States · first flew 1944 · bomber

The Martin AM Mauler was a single-seat carrier-based attack aircraft powered by the massive 28-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major, designed to carry a tremendous offensive load including a torpedo plus additional bombs. It competed directly with the Douglas AD Skyraider.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	12.87 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Single-seat carrier attack aircraft with huge Pratt & Whitney Wasp Major engine
Could carry a torpedo plus bombs under each wing
Briefly replaced by Douglas AD Skyraider

A large single-engine carrier aircraft with the characteristic round cowling of the R-4360 Wasp Major, mid-mounted tapered wing with multiple weapon hardpoints, and conventional tail with folding wingtips.

Specifications

The Martin AM Mauler has a length of 12.87 m (42 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.24 m (50 ft).
Its maximum speed is 590 km/h (367 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in August 1944, the Mauler entered fleet service in 1948 with several carrier air groups. Despite impressive payload capability, the aircraft was complex to maintain and less reliable than the Skyraider; it was phased out of front-line service by 1950.

Variants

Only the AM-1 production variant and the AM-1Q electronic warfare conversion reached service; the AM-1Q added ECM equipment in a pod under the fuselage.

Where you'll see it

Operated briefly by US Navy attack squadrons VA-17 and others aboard fleet carriers from 1948 to approximately 1950; replaced by the simpler and more popular Douglas AD Skyraider.

Related aircraft

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