Warplanes of the USA: Martin AM-1 Mauler

Martin AM-1 Mauler

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The Martin AM Mauler (originally XBTM) was a single-seat carrier-based attack aircraft built for the United States Navy. Designed during the Second World War, the Mauler encountered development delays and did not enter service until 1948 in small numbers. The aircraft proved troublesome and remained in frontline service only until 1950, when the Navy switched to the smaller and simpler Douglas AD Skyraider. Maulers remained in reserve squadrons until 1953. A few were built as AM-1Q electronic-warfare aircraft with an additional crewman in the fuselage. (Wikipedia)

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Martin AM-1 Mauler (BuNo. 22308) of Naval Air Test Center (NATC) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland (USA), in flight, circa late 1940s.

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Martin AM-1 Mauler.

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Martin AM-1 Mauler (BuNo. 22260). In storage at the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum in Middle River, Maryland.

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Martin AM-1 Mauler of attack squadron VA-174 taking off from the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CV-33) during carrier qualifications in 1949. The tests took place in the Atlantic Ocean off Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

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Martin AM-1Q Mauler electronic countermeasures aircraft of composite squadron VC-4 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CV-33), with vapor rings from the propellor, during a qualification cruise, 25 to 29 April 1949, off Atlantic City, New Jersey.

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U.S. Naval Air Reserve Martin Mauler AM-1Q Mauler electronic countermeasures aircraft (BuNo 22345) at the Naval Air (Reserve) Station Glenview, Illinois, in the early 1950s. Note the ECM aerials under the aft fuselage.

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In 1949, the Martin AM-1 Mauler set an unofficial record for payload lifted, when it carried an ordnance load of 10,689 pounds. This figure combined with the weight of the airplane, fuel and pilot meant that the airplane took off with a weight of 29,332 pounds!

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The second U.S. Navy Martin XBTM-1 Mauler (BuNo 85162) at the Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River, Maryland (USA), on 3 July 1947.

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Four U.S. Navy Reserve Martin AM-1 Mauler attack planes over Miami Beach, Florida (USA), ca. 1950/51. The Maulers belonged to attack squadron VA-727 based at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois.