martin originally single seat attack aircraft built united_states_navy designed world war encountered development delays enter service small numbers aircraft proved troublesome remained line service navy switched smaller simpler remained reserve squadrons built electronic warfare aircraft additional fuselage design development 1930s early 1940s navy divided carrier borne bombers types torpedo bomber dive bomber crews men wartime experience showed pilots aim bombs torpedoes assistance navigate aid radio development powerful engines meant faster aircraft longer needed rear gunner self defense furthermore consolidation types bombers greatly increased flexibility carrier air group allowed number fighters air group increased navy invited proposals new multi purpose bomber selected designs september martin martin tasked provide design selected replacement navy concern design overly complex company record particularly poor development martin instructed create design reliable platform wasp major radial engine powered aircraft prototypes ordered martin internal designation model low winged metal folding wings allow compact storage carrier hangar decks conventional landing gear fuselage oval shaped stressed skin semi single seat cockpit shaped canopy positioned aft air cooled engine cockpit imp gal fuel tank large wing consisted center section folded outer panels large dive brake positioned trailing edge wing closed lowered use landing split alternating upper lower section inter fingers use intended role effective role mainly great surface area cost width significantly reduced efficiency pair imp gal fuel tanks positioned roots center section fuel tanks self sealing pilot oil cooler protected pounds armor fixed armament fitted center section adjacent outer wing panels rounds gun centerline pair outer installed center section rated bombs fuel tanks torpedoes pounds weight outer carry search radar pod dozen installed outer wing panels carry pound bombs inch high velocity aircraft rockets service earned nickname able remarkable load carrying ability lifting pounds ordnance pound torpedoes dozen pound bombs plus guns ammunition march heaviest load carried single engine powered aircraft maiden flight august began flight testing reached december navy ordered aircraft january reduced aircraft surrender japan august second prototype flight initial flight tests conducted prototypes revealed significant problems engine vertical rudder response lengthened inches engine mount degrees right offset engine tremendous length air extended propeller spinner rudder vertical redesigned april aircraft designation changed navy replaced classification attack redesign completed early deliveries began march flight test program began month lasted years major deficiencies identified fully corrected carrier landing trials revealed structural weakness rear fuselage aircraft severed half heavy landing severe vibrations tail engaging arresting wire cured adding roller bearing counter sideways forces placed necessary changes addition elevator control boost improve aircraft poor low speeds addition cockpit layout unsatisfactory redesigned finally deemed acceptable carrier landings august aircraft issued squadron earlier year new batch aircraft ordered despite modifications aircraft short life remained maintenance nightmare especially hydraulic systems developed electronic duties fuselage fuel tank removed room operator equipment compartment aircraft carried radio radar receivers signal operator drop block radar signals pilots found heavy handling aircraft difficult fly formation hard land aboard carrier perfect landing caused aircraft bounce arresting wires safety barrier stable dive bomber carry ordnance maintenance problems difficulty landing aboard carrier caused pilots nickname awful monster operational history prospect flying carrier operations navy assigned squadrons unit received aircraft march april redesignated august began carrier qualification trials aboard uss december completed aboard uss january assigned pilots completing day qualifications deployment squadron participated unsuccessful search missing caribbean squadron brief deployment aboard uss midway largest carriers navy early longer flight deck midway class carriers landings easier pilots squadron single landing accident deployment return unit transferred aircraft newly assigned midway converted disbanded january squadrons began receiving aircraft march carrier qualifications squadron complete qualification accidents short deployment aboard carrier september began converting following month established september response newly qualified pilots volunteered active duty air group attack squadrons began receiving november aircraft delivered january later month air group president inauguration ceremony squadron conducted qualifications aboard midway crashing safety barrier week cruise aboard midway beginning june east_coast united_states disbanded november peaceful resolution electronic warfare variants assigned composite squadron based detached small groups carrier deployment little known service squadron known assigned october smaller carried proved reliable service easier fly land navy pilots preferred decision use shore based units later year units abandoned type aircraft operated reserve squadrons variants prototypes built total production aircraft aircraft cancelled electronic warfare variant aircraft built converted proposed carrier onboard delivery variant named mercury built operators united_states united_states navy reserve attack squadrons survivors built complete air frames known exist fifth partial air frame storage display national naval aviation museum pensacola florida air museum oregon madras oregon storage restoration aircraft belonged storage maryland aviation museum maryland currently listed museum website museum respond status previously restored status subsequently crashed year partial air frame stored maryland aviation museum maryland storage california specifications data 20th century general characteristics crew length wingspan height wing area weight gross weight fuel capacity gallons imp gal powerplant wasp major radial propellers bladed diameter performance maximum speed mph cruise speed mph combat range nmi service ceiling time altitude minutes feet wing loading armament guns cannon rockets inch mark torpedoes
Martin AM Mauler