Model Kit Contents (click the image for larger photo)

Unit price: US$98

Shipping charge: US$16

In 1944, with the success of the German jet bomber Ar.234, USAAF was aware of enemy aviation advances. The war department issued requirement for a new design of the jet bomber which powered either by J35 or J47 engines. The Martin company submitted the Model 223. It was awarded contract for two prototypes which designated XB-48. Other designs in the competition included the North American XB-45, the Convair XB-46 and the Boeing XB-47. In 1946, USAAF needed a jet-bomber in service urgently, and chose the flight-tested B-45 as the winner. The XB-47 and XB-48 were deferred until they had tested. The first XB-48 made its maiden flights in 1947 but engine difficulties delayed development and testing. In 1948, the XB-48 lost to the Boeing XB-47 in a fly-off as the XB-47 with its swept wing had much better performance. Martin attempted to convert the second XB-48 with four turboprop engines but was rejected by the Air Force. Flight tests of the XB-48s continued until the end of the program in fall of 1949.

Type:

Purpose:

Span:

Length:

Height:

Engine:

Max.speed:

Crew:

Armament:

Medium bomber prototype

To use in tests of the early jet bomber

108ft.4in.

85ft.9in.

26ft.6in.

6x General Electric J35-GE-7 turbojets

516 mph

3

2x 0.5cal M2 machine gun at tail turret

22000lb. bomb loads

The Martin XB-48 is suitable to group with the following collection series.

Post war U.S.A.F. bomber

Convair B-36 Peacemaker

Douglas XB-42 (XA-42) Mixmaster

Douglas XB-43 Jetmaster

Boeing XB-44 (B-29D) Superfortress

North American B-45 Tornado

Convair XB-46

Boeing B-47 Startojet

Martin XB-48

Northrop YB-49 Flying Wing

Boeing B-50 Superfortress

Martin XB-51 (XA-45)

Boeing B-52 Startofortress

Convair XB-53 (XA-44)

Boeing XB-54 (B-50C)

Boeing XB-55

Boeing XB-56 (B-47C)

Martin B-57 Canberra

Convair B-58 Hustler

Boeing XB-59

Convair YB-60

Martin B-61A (TM-61) Matador

Northrop XB-62 (SM-62) Snark

Boeing B-63 (GAM-63) Rascal

North American XB-64 (SM-64) Navaho

Convair XB-65 (SM-65 / X-11 / X-12) Altas

Douglas B-66 (A-3) Destroyer

Radioplane XB-67 (GAM-67) Crossbow

Martin XB-68 (SM-68) Titan I

Lockheed RB-69A (P2V-7U / SP-2H) Neptune

North American XB-70 Valkryie

Lockheed XB-71 (SR-71 / A-11 / YF-12A) Blackbird

U.S.A.A.F. jet-powered bomber competition in World War II

North American B-45 Tornado

Convair XB-46

Boeing B-47 Startojet

Martin XB-48

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Post war U.S. experimental aircraft