On Sun, 9 Nov 2003 17:38:47 -0800, "Peter Duniho"
wrote:

"R. Hubbell" wrote in message
news:b4yrb.11482$7B2.3468@fed1read04...
Pretty sure it was designed as a bomber nad bombers do make a good
platform,
generally, for fire tankers.

It was not. I already told you, it was originally designed as a military
troop transport. You don't need to take my word for it. Just read up on
the history of the Martin Mars.

"Firefighting certainly wasn't what Glenn L. Martin had in mind for
the design of the Martin Mars. Originally conceived as a bomber for
long range missions and patrols, the production aircraft were
redesigned and classified for long-range general transport because of
the demonstrated heavy-lift capability of the prototype."
http://www.martinmars.com/mars.html

"Martin continued test flights on the aircraft until November 1942,
when the Old Lady was passed on to the Navy. By this time the Navy had
decided that big lumbering easy-target patrol bombers were not such a
good idea after all, and the flying boat was converted to a cargo
aircraft before it was handed over. All the turrets and guns, bomb
bays, and armor plate were removed, cargo-loading hatches and
cargo-loading equipment were installed, and the decking was
reinforced. The modified aircraft was designated XPB2M-1R."
http://www.jimmyhoward.com/Martin-Mars-history.shtml

"Design work for the Martin "Mars", the largest active-duty flying
boat the world would ever see, started in 1935. After reviewing
proposals submitted by Consolidated, Boeing, Vought-Sikorsky and
Martin, Martin received a contract for a long-range patrol bomber
designated the XPB2M-1 "Mars" on 23 August 1938. The patrol bomber's
keel was laid on 22 August 1940, and the aircraft, known
affectionately as the "Old Lady" was rolled from its hangar on 27
September 1941..." (Steve Ginter, author of MARTIN MARS XPB2M-1R &JRM
FLYING BOATS).
http://www.mozeyoninn.com/Ginter/NAVAL/NF29.htm

My Dad sent me a postcard of a Martin Marlin when he was
in the Philipines. Someday I hope to build an RC model of
it.

Marty