Ever so slightly OT: Martin MB-2

JohnReid · 12 April 2006, 04:36 AM

Nice build Lufbery!Do you have a little background info on this aircraft?
Cheers! John.

Lufbery · 12 April 2006, 05:47 AM

Hi John,

There's some great information from the US Air Force Museum's web site:

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/resea...mbers/b1-3.htm

Quote:

The MB-2's (AS 64195) first flight was on 3 September, 1920. Twenty Curtiss-built NBS-1s (AS 68508 to 68527) were fitted with superchargers allowing the aircraft to climb as high as 25,600 ft.

The most notable contribution of the MB-2 (NBS-1) was as the aircraft used in the famous ship bombing trials in 1921. Flying out of Langley Field, Virginia, under the command of Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, the Martin Bombers sunk a destroyer, cruiser and a battleship and proved the worth of aerial bombardment.

I'll need to check my instructions, but I think the decals I used are from the 23th Bombardment Group.

My model garnered no awards at the show. It was judged in the diorama class instead of in the aircraft class. The other dioramas were far more elaborate. Oh well. At least a lot of people got to see it, and I got some compliments on it.

Regards,

Regards,

JohnReid · 12 April 2006, 06:03 AM

Because you put it on a green base they judged it as a diorama? Boy do we still have a lot of educating to do or what?

Thanks for the info on the Mitchell connection.
Cheers! John.

Michael · 13 April 2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lufbery

Hi John,

There's some great information from the US Air Force Museum's web site:

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/resea...mbers/b1-3.htm

I'll need to check my instructions, but I think the decals I used are from the 23th Bombardment Group.

My model garnered no awards at the show. It was judged in the diorama class instead of in the aircraft class. The other dioramas were far more elaborate. Oh well. At least a lot of people got to see it, and I got some compliments on it.

Regards,

Regards,

1920? Then it's not OT - the peace treaty wasn't signed until 1921.

Beautiful work. For my money between the wars bombers have got a lot of class. I used to look longingly at the Matchbox Heyford and some of the Heller bombers like the Amiot.