Ma the Martin AM Mauler

The Martin AM Mauler (originally BTM) was a shipboard attack aircraft of the United States Navy. Designed during World War II, the Mauler encountered production delays and did not enter service until March 1948. A total of 151 aircraft were built, remaining in front line service only until 1950, when the Navy standardized on the smaller and simpler Douglas AD Skyraider. Maulers remained in reserve squadrons until 1953. In service the Mauler earned the nickname "Able Mable" because of its remarkable load carrying ability, lifting a 14,179 lb useful load, including 10,689 lbs of ordnance, the heaviest load ever carried by a single-engine piston-powered aircraft.

Marabelle was one of the first ten Maulers ever produced by martin and many considered her the mother of the race they were being the first female of the entire Mauler production line. She remained in service till 1953 and eventually was put on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. Now she is the only female of the four remaining Martin Maulers and remains so after the machine revolution occurred.


XBTM-1
Two prototypes built.
BTM-1/AM-1
A total of 132 production aircraft, another 651 aircraft were cancelled.
AM-1Q
A radar countermeasures variant, 17 aircraft built


General characteristics

Crew: 1 (2 in AM-1Q)
Length: 41 ft 2 in (12.55 m)
Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
Height: 16 ft 10 in (5.13 m)
Wing area: 496 ft² (46.1 m²)
Empty weight: 15,257 lb (6,935 kg)
Loaded weight: 22,323 lb (10,146.8 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 25,737 lb (11,698.6)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-4 Wasp Major radial engine, 2,975 hp (2,219 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 367 mph (323 knots, 618.57 km/h)
Cruise speed: 188 mph (165 knots, 302.6 km/h)
Range: 1,437 mi (1,260 nmi, 2,334 km)
Service ceiling: 27,000 ft (8,320 m)
Rate of climb: 2,780 ft/min (14.1 m/s)

Armament

Guns: 4 × 20 mm M2 cannons @ 200 r.p.g.
Bombs: 4,500 lb (2,045 kg) normal load