Martin M-246 Naval Attack bomber

[Tailspin Turtle]

Hi Tailspin Turtl!

Martin Aircraft Model Designations, Built and unbuilt

M-245----Two place long range special attack monoplace
M-245-1--Basic airplane component with droppable hull
M-245-2--Basic airplane component with droppable launch gear
M-245-3--Basic airplane component with retractable gear
M-245A---Alternate carrier-based plane
M-246----Carrier-based attack bomber

I think, that the competitor was M-246

Thanks to the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum, I can report that the 246 was not the OS-111 candidate. It appears to have been an unsolicited proposal submitted in May 1949 in an attempt to take advantage of schedule problems with the A2D program caused by the Allison T40 engine. Douglas got a letter of intent for the A2D in June 1947. It was supposed to fly in March 1949. Because of T40 engine problems, it didn't fly until May 1950.

 

[jzichek]

A new post is up at RetroMechanix.com presenting the Martin 246 naval attack aircraft proposal of 1949:

This unsolicited proposal featured an inverted gull wing, T-tail, and a novel rotary bomb bay capable of delivering a wide variety of ordnance. The article features 23 images, reproducing the entire proposal brochure and related BuAer correspondence.

-Jared

 

[Petrus]

A new post is up at RetroMechanix.com

An off-topic issue: I've noticed recently that some entries on fighter projects disappeared from RetroMechanix.com. Why did it happen? And when, if ever, will they reappear?

Piotr

 

[jzichek]

I'm in the process of reformatting the older entries, hopefully will have them back up in the near future.

 

[Bill S]

Some pages from a Martin 246 presentation ref: George Spangenberg at NARA II

bill

 

[Pioneer]

Thanks for bringing this design to our attention Tailspin Turtle & Bill S!

An interesting wing design and of course the Martin-centric rotary bomb bay arrangement...

Regards
Pioneer