Martin VB-57 VIP Transport

[circle-5]

This would have been the Martin VB-57 VIP transport, had it been built. Martin assembled a full-scale fuselage mockup to help USAF Generals warm up to the idea of traveling inside a small, British-designed bomb bay. U.S. Navy admirals were already ferried around in modified Douglas Skywarriors, so it would have been appropriate.

Unfortunately, Martin was unsuccessful and all that remains of the effort is this factory desk model.

 

[Stargazer]

Oh my... Sweet serendipity! This forum never ceases to amaze me...

Here are more pics of that project with a somewhat different cockpit window design.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[circle-5]

And here is a color photo of the mockup, at a different location. (Martin via Stan Piet)

 

[pathology_doc]

To quote Mr Spock: Fascinating!

The ultimate business jet, for the aviation enthusiast who can find a Canberra and wants to take on the project. I'm sure someone like Bill Gates or Richard Branson could even afford to build one for themselves from scratch. It's 1940's technology, for God's sake; it can't be that hard.

 

[kenneth]

could someone furnish dimensions and performance data?