Martin XB-16

Like the Boeing XB-15, the Martin XB-16 (Martin Model 145) was designed to meet the United States Army Air Corps' request for a bomber that could carry 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) of bombs 5,000 miles (8,000 km).

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 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 B-29 Superfortress, the first operational bomber that would fill the role intended for the XB-16.

The XB-16 was cancelled for essentially the same reason 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 (as designed)

General characteristics

• Crew: 11
• Length: 115 ft (35.0 m)
• Wingspan:
  
• Original design: 140 ft (43 m)
• 1935 redesign: 173 ft (52.7 m)
• Height: ft in (m)
• Wing area: ft² (m²)
• Empty weight: 104,880 lb (47,573 kg)
• Powerplant: 4, later 6× Allison V-1710 , 850 hp (640 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 190 mph (170 kt, 310 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 140 mph (120 kt, 230 km/h)
• Range: 3,300 mi (2,900 nm, 5,300 km)
• Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.049 hp/lb (80 W/kg)

External links

• USAF Museum description of XB-16

Related content

Comparable aircraft

• Boeing XB-15
• Boeing Y1B-20

Designation sequence

• XB-13 - XB-14 - XB-15 - XB-16 - B-17 - B-18 - XB-19

Related lists

• List of bomber aircraft
• List of military aircraft of the United States