Why This Plane Is One of WW2’s Most Underrated Aircraft

In the late 1930s, the American aerospace industry was growing quickly but was not fully ready to meet the demands of a large-scale conflict. During this time, the United States focused mainly on commercial aviation, while military needs were still developing. One of the early projects was the Martin 167 Maryland, a twin-engine aircraft designed to fill roles such as ground attack and light bombing. Although built in the United States, the Maryland was never used by American military forces. Instead, it found a place in the air fleets of several Allied nations, proving to be a useful asset during the early years of the war.

The challenges faced by the American military aviation sector were significant. The production capacity was limited, and the quality required for combat aircraft was hard to achieve in large numbers. This limitation was noted by an inspection commission from Britain, which discovered that while American commercial aviation was advanced, the military side still had much to learn. Production costs were very high, and the available technology could not yet support mass production of reliable military planes. As a result, the United States had to look to its allies to fill the gap in combat aircraft.

The Race for a Modern Aircraft

During this period, both Britain and France sought to secure modern aircraft that could serve in ground attack and bombing roles. The United States Army Air Corps, anticipating a future conflict, issued a request in 1937 for new twin-engine designs that could carry heavier loads, fly at speeds of at least 200 miles per hour, and cover long distances with a full combat load. This request was part of an effort to prepare for a potential war, even though the U.S. was not yet under immediate threat. The focus on twin-engine designs came from the idea that they would provide more power and greater payload capacity compared to single-engine planes.

Several aerospace companies responded to the call, including Douglas, North American, and Glenn Martin. In the testing phase, both the Douglas and North American prototypes encountered serious difficulties, with crashes that sidelined their designs. This left Glenn Martin, a company with a long history in bomber construction, as the leading candidate. Martin had already designed and built the first American bomber, the Martin MB-1, back in 1918. Their experience in producing reliable aircraft made the Martin 167 Maryland a promising option, despite the changing requirements of military aviation at the time.

Adoption by France and Modification for Service

While the United States decided not to use the Maryland in its own armed forces, the aircraft became highly attractive to other Allied nations. The French saw an opportunity to modernize their air fleet, especially as they faced the growing threat of German advances in Europe. In January 1939, France placed an order for 115 Martin 167 Maryland aircraft, which was later increased to 345 units. This order came at a time when France needed to update its inventory quickly to defend its territory and support operations against the German military.

To meet the specific needs of the French Air Force, several modifications were made to the Maryland. The French required a change in the engine type, so the original Pratt & Whitney twin wasp engines were replaced with right-cycle Cyclone engines. This alteration initially resulted in a slight loss of power, but later improvements in performance helped to restore its capabilities. Additionally, French instrumentation replaced the original American gauges, and the defensive armaments were changed from Browning machine guns to 7.5 mm FN machine guns from Belgium. External bomb racks were also added to increase the aircraft’s payload, although they saw little use in combat due to the pressing needs of the French forces.

Operational Use and Historical Significance

By early 1940, the modified Martin 167 Maryland began entering service with the French Air Force and Navy. Although its primary role was ground attack and reconnaissance, the Maryland’s speed and agility made it a useful asset in a variety of missions. The aircraft was deployed in attempts to resist the German invasion, and its performance in combat was noted for its ability to operate with a limited payload while maintaining high speed. Reports from the early days of its service indicate that the Maryland suffered low loss rates compared to other aircraft, with its defensive armaments providing sufficient protection in most engagements.

The rapid collapse of French forces during the German advance forced many of the Maryland aircraft to be relocated to North Africa. There, they were intended for operations against targets in Southern Italy. However, following an armistice and the subsequent division of France, only about 200 of these aircraft remained active under the control of the Vichy French Air Force. Over time, as newer and more advanced twin-engine bombers entered service, the Maryland was gradually phased out of front-line operations. Despite this, the aircraft played a significant role during a critical period, offering valuable lessons in design and operational flexibility.