Martin XB-48
Glenn L. Martin Company · United States · first flew 1947 · bomber
The Martin XB-48 was an American jet bomber prototype that competed in the late 1940s USAF medium bomber competition ultimately won by the Boeing B-47 Stratojet.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbojet, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 26.14 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Six-jet prototype bomber with engines paired in three underwing pods (capped at 4 in count; actually 6 jets)
- Tandem bicycle-type main undercarriage with outrigger wingtip wheels
- Competed against the Boeing B-47 and lost
Distinguished by three paired-engine underwing pods, a straight mid-mounted wing, and a tandem main undercarriage with small outrigger wheels under the wing tips.
Specifications
- The Martin XB-48 has a length of 26.14 m (86 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 33.02 m (108 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 841 km/h (523 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in June 1947, the XB-48 featured six jet engines paired in three under-wing pods and a tandem bicycle main undercarriage. Despite reasonable performance, it lost the competition to the superior Boeing B-47 and only two prototypes were built.
Variants
Only two XB-48 prototypes were completed; no production variants were ordered.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; both prototypes were used for evaluation only before being scrapped.
Related aircraft
- Martin P4M Mercator
- Martin P4M-1 Mercator
- Martin P5M Marlin
- Martin P5M-1 Marlin
- Boeing B-47 Stratojet
- Boeing B-50 Superfortress
- Convair XB-46
- Ilyushin Il-22
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