Martin XB-16

Like the Boeing XB-15, the Martin XB-16 was designed to meet the U.S. Army's request for a bomber that could carry 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of bombs 5,000 miles (8045 km). Its design was very similar to that of the XB-15, but it was 30% longer.

The XB-16 was to use four Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled inline engines. (All other contemporary aircraft used radial air-cooled engines.)

In 1935, Martin revised the XB-16 design. The wing span was increased to from 140 ft (42.7 m) to 173 ft (52.7 m), and a set of V-1710 engines added to the trailing edge. This version had a wingspan 20% greater than that of the first Very Heavy Bomber, the B-29 Superfortress.

The XB-16 was cancelled for essentially the same reason that the B-15 project was: it wasn't fast enough to meet the requirements set by the army. Since both were cancelled around the same time, Martin did not have time to produce an XB-16.

Specifications (1935 design)

General Characteristics

• Crew: 11
• Length: 115 ft (35.0 m)
• Wingspan: 173 ft (52.7 m)
• Empty: 104,880 lb (47,573 kg)
• Powerplant: 6× Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled inline engines of 850 hp (640 kW) each

Performance (estimated)

• Maximum speed: 190 mph (310 km/h)
• Cruising speed: 140 mph (230 km/h)
• Combat Range: 3,300 miles (5,300 km)
• Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
• Power/Mass: 0.0486 hp/lb (0.0800 kW/kg)

External links

• USAF Museum description of XB-16

Related Content

Comparable aircraft: Boeing XB-15 - B-29 Superfortress

Designation sequence: XB-13 - XB-14 - XB-15 - XB-16 - B-17 - B-18 - XB-19

Related Lists: List of military aircraft of the United States – List of bomber aircraft