Early Martin 167 projects: genesis of the Maryland

[Stargazer]

Polish publisher AJ Press devoted the 96th volume of their Monografie Lotnicze series to the Martin Maryland, a rarely covered subject unfortunately only the image captions are bilingual).

This most fascinating volume contains early proposals for what became the XA-22 and then the Maryland. For the record, the Maryland was designed in 1939 by none other than James S. McDonnell, Jr., who soon after proceeded to start his own company.

• Model 167B: production variant for the British; externally similar to Model 167F (167-B3, -B4).
• Model 167C: different fin, slightly swept wings, two engines on top of wings driving pusher propellers.
• Model 167D: low wing monoplane with twin fins and rudders.
• Model 167E: version intended to have tricycle undercarriage.
• Model 167F: production variant for the French (167-F1, -F2 and -F3).
• Model 167I: attack variant with solid nose and powerful offensive armament.
• Model 167W: attack prototype for U.S. Army Air Corps (XA-22).

The Army Air Corps evaluated the Model 167W against the North American NA-40-2 and the Douglas El Segundo (formerly Northrop) 7B. The latter was designated the winner despite the crash of the prototype. Interestingly, all three designs had interesting developments. The Martin bomber was produced and exported to France and then Britain (who also received part of the uncompleted French order); the Douglas design was matured into the DB-7 and produced as the A-20 Havoc; the North American design became the famous Mitchell.

Note that the designation "167-A3" was given by the French to all variants of the Model 167F. There doesn't seem to have been a Martin-given "167A" designation, though in all logic it would have made a more logical designation for the prototype instead of 167W. Also, the name Maryland was given only to the British variant.

I'm also enclosing a collage I made from the original patent of the final design.

 

[Jemiba]

Thanks Stéphane, great find !
Especially interesting, that a nose-wheel landing gear already was considered, but
obviously rejected.

 

[lark]

Formidable Stéphane... thanks so much.