Martin A-30 "Baltimore" Light Attack Bomber
The Martin Model 187 was designed in 1940 for French and British forces from the Model 167 "Maryland" light bomber. The concept of the attack-bomber was decidedly American. They developed a number of light and medium bombers that carried heavy defensive armament and, in some models, heavy offensive armament, in addition to bombs. When France fell to the Germans the British took over the contract and the aircraft. As there were other aircraft to meet the immediate needs over Europe the Baltimore fleet was allocated to the Mediterranean and North Africa. In most cases, the Baltimores remained at a relatively safe altitude following a bombing run, and did not press their luck with straffing runs, although they carried a considerable offensive weapon load for a light bomber. It was used mainly by the airforces of England, Australia and South Africa but also by the Free French, Turkish, Greek and Italian Co-belligerent forces. A total of 1,575 were produced up to May, 1944.
Technical Details
The Baltimore was a mid-wing, all-metal light attack-bomber. It carried a crew of four comprised of a pilot, navigator/bomb aimer, radio-operator and top-gunner. The radio operator would also man a ventral gun position. Models I through IV were powered by two 1,600 hp Wright GR-2600-A5B radial engines. The models V and VI had the upgraded 1,700 hp Wright engines. Maximum speed was 305 mph (488 km/h) at 11,600 ft. The models I through IV were essentially the same aircraft with the machine guns upgraded from .30 caliber to .50 caliber, and a variety of powered turrets added. As an attack-bomber (model V) it was eventually armed with seven .50 caliber machine guns with four in the wings, two in the turret and one in the rear ventral position. It carried up to 2,000 lbs of bombs in an internal bomb bay.
Canadian Aces Home Page
Image From:
Technical Information From:
Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II, 1989. Crescent Books.