"John Szalay" john.szalay.at.att.net wrote in message
42...


When she was first designed, she was designed as a bomber.
later redesigned for the transport role..

found photos in the LIFE archives of the christening & launch

prototype XPB2M-1 Mars, prototype Martin Model 170
(While it was still thought to be a bomber...)

A view of a bomber during its christening.
Date taken: 1941
Photographer: Thomas D. Mcavoy

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/dd0ca4e5e74aff38_large
http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/06a9a6ede7342b05_large
http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/501e0d71b0eceea3_large

======
the whole story...
Its launching into Dark Head Creek on November 5, 1941,
http://www.marylandaviationmuseum.or...t/14_mars.html


Thanks for the additional information on these beautiful beasts. I'd love
to hear one, but I can't get to America.