When the US Navy and Marine Corps required a dive bomber in 1928, the Bureau of Aeronautics designed such an aircraft. The construction of prototypes was entrusted to the Glenn L. Martin Company, designated as XT5M-1 (tail number A8051), and to the Naval Aircraft Factory, as XT2N-1 (A8052).
Both aircraft were biplanes featuring a fixed wheeled landing gear with a tail skid and a two-person tandem crew configuration. The XT5M-1 was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1690-22 Hornet engine, delivering 525 hp.
Development and Production
Upon completion of flight tests in 1930, Martin received an order for 12 aircraft designated BM-1 (tail numbers A8879 – A8890), equipped with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-1690-44 engine (625 hp). The BM-1 became the US Navy’s first deck-based dive bomber.
Subsequently, an additional four BM-1s (A9214 – A9217) and 16 BM-2s (A9170 – A9185), which differed little from the BM-1, were ordered. In 1932, another aircraft, designated XBM-1, was produced for special NACA tests.
Operational History
The first aircraft were delivered to the customer in September 1931. Initially, BM-1 aircraft equipped squadron VT-1S aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington. In 1934, BM-1 and BM-2 aircraft became part of the air group of the aircraft carrier USS Langley.
However, after three years, all aircraft were removed from carriers and subsequently operated exclusively from shore-based airfields. The last BM-2 was withdrawn from service and scrapped in 1940.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | BM-2 |
| Wingspan, m | 12.50 |
| Length, m | 8.76 |
| Height, m | 3.76 |
| Wing area, m2 | 40.50 |
| Empty weight | 1661 |
| Normal takeoff weight | 2820 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Pratt & Whitney R-1690-44 Hornet |
| Power, hp | 1 x 625 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 235 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 208 |
| Practical range, km | 665 |
| Maximum rate of climb, m/min | 267 |
| Service ceiling, m | 5120 |
| Crew, crew members | 2 |
| Armament: | one forward 7.62-mm machine gun and one identical in the rear cockpit; one 454-kg torpedo or bombs of the same mass |
Image and diagram gallery of the Martin BM-1 and BM-2
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