Martin-Baker MB 3
| MB 3 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Martin-Baker |
| Designer | James Martin |
| First flight | 31 August 1942 |
| Status | Experimental |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force (intended) |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from |
Martin-Baker MB1 Martin-Baker MB2 |
| Variants | Martin-Baker MB5 |
The Martin-Baker MB3 was a British fighter project with six 20mm cannon. The fatal crash of the prototype led to the cancellation of the programme.
Using lessons learned from the MB1 and MB2, James Martin and Captain Valentine Baker capitalised on the design and construction to develop a new design, the MB3, which was powered by a 2,000 hp Napier Sabre 24-cylinder, H-type engine, driving a de Havilland variable-pitch three-blade propeller. The MB3 was projected to meet an Air Ministry fighter specification. It was armed with six 20 millimetres (0.79 in) cannon mounted in the wings, each with 200 rounds of ammunition, which made it the most heavily armed fighter in existence and for ease of maintenance the armament was easily accessible. Three were ordered to specification F.18/39 which was written for the design.
While retaining the essential characteristics of the earlier designs, MB3 included many new features: the fuselage primary structure was still the round steel tube arrangement but metal panels had taken the place of wood and fabric of earlier models. The wing construction integrated torsion-box construction and a laminated steel spar, giving a strong and stiff structure with minimum flexing. Attention to detail extended to a Martin-designed pneumatically-controlled undercarriage that was simple, sturdy, effective and reliable. With the wing flaps also pneumatically operated, the need for hydraulics, with all their attendant operational hazards and maintenance problems, was eliminated. Underwing radiators had the coolant radiator on the starboard and the oil cooler on the port side.
Then listed as "Experimental Aeroplane No.120" and with the serial number R2492, the MB3 was temporarily stationed at 26 OTU (Operational Training Unit - RAF Wing in Buckinghamshire) for trials and first flew on 31 August 1942. The tests were supervised by Group Captain Snaith and observed by, amongst others, Air Vice Marshals Linnell and Burton. Following its successful first flight, undertaken by Captain Baker, the next series of test flights revealed the MB3 to be highly manoeuvrable and easy to fly but on 12 September 1942, the engine failed soon after take-off and Captain Baker, in an attempt to save the aircraft while executing a difficult forced landing, crashed in a field and was killed.
...
Wikipedia