Martin MB-1
Glenn L. Martin Company · United States · first flew 1918 · bomber
The Martin MB-1 was the first purpose-designed American bomber to reach series production, a large twin-engine biplane conceived to give the US Army Air Service a domestic heavy-bomber capability at the end of World War I.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.49 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large WWI-era biplane bomber
- Twin Liberty engine pusher-puller arrangement
- First major US-designed bomber to reach production
A large biplane with equal-span wings, twin tractor engines mounted between the wing bays, and a long open fuselage with nose, dorsal, and ventral gun positions.
Specifications
- The Martin MB-1 has a length of 13.49 m (44 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.25 m (73 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 164 km/h (102 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Ordered in 1917 and first flown in 1918, the MB-1 arrived too late to see combat but established Martin as a leading US military aircraft manufacturer. It was developed into the improved MB-2, which briefly equipped the postwar Air Service.
Variants
The MB-1 led directly to the MB-2 (heavier bomb load) and the civil GMB transport variant; a torpedo-carrying Navy version was also evaluated.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the US Army Air Service in the immediate post-WWI period; famously used by Billy Mitchell in bombing trials against warships to demonstrate the offensive potential of air power.
Related aircraft
- Glenn L. Martin NBS-1
- Martin T3M
- Martin XLB-4
- Martin XT5M-1
- AEG G.V
- Airco DH.10 Amiens
- Blackburn Kangaroo
- Bristol Braemar
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.