Martin BM-1 and BM-2

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 The last BM-2 was withdrawn from service and scrapped in 1940.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

BM-1(2)	BM-1(2)
BM-1(2)	BM-1(2)
BM-1(2)	BM-1(2)
BM-1(2)	BM-1(2)
BM-1(2)	BM-1(2)
BM-1(2)	BM-1(2)
BM-1(2)	BM-1(2)
BM-1(2)