Martin Baltimore; the RAF’s Skinny American

Buy my book: amzn.to/3preYyO
Sources for this video can be found at the relevant article on:
militarymatter...
If you like this content please consider buying me a coffee or else supporting me at Patreon:
ko-fi.com/edna...
/ ednash

[@quenncheri]

Thanks for your video. My father was a pilot in WW2, 55 Squadron RAF, he loved this aircraft and said its performance and ability kept him & his crew alive, they flew many missions including el-Alamein.

[@dabrab]

I have always had an affinity for the Baltimore since my father related a wartime tale many years ago. He was only a driver in the RASC, but he was the driver and batman for his unit's medical officer. When they were in northern Italy in 1944 the MO had to attend a conference in Naples and was to be flown there and back in a Baltimore. Being a good man he conjured up a chit authorising my father to fly with him to Naples to 'collect essential vehicle spares'. All bogus of course, but it gave may father a nice little jolly!

[@JTA1961]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@rovercoupe7104]

‘Jolly’ is a great word. M

[@nimomemre6550]

Such a noble memory of your father/family 🙂

[@eze8970]

Thank you. Not only does the aircraft deserve more recognition, but so do their crews, some heavy losses there. 🙏🙏

[@BeyondDictation]

My Great Great Uncle was a pilot in 454 SQN RAAF and served in Italy under the RAF. He was a great man on record and in his personal life and if it wasn’t for how brilliant the Baltimore was, I probably would have never got to have met him. God rest ya Uncle Max, you were a good man 🫡

[@majorbloodnok6659]

Thanks for giving this aircraft and its crews the attention and respect they deserve

[@mbryson2899]

In the mid-70s I saw a 1/72 Baltimore model in a desert diorama at a hibby shop. Until today I had no idea what it was, I only remembered a slight resemblance to the Hampton. Thank you, Mr. Nash, for enlightening me.

[@Redhand1949]

I am pleased to see a profile of this overlooked but excellent aircraft.

[@jon9021]

Hear, hear.

[@paulkirkland3263]

Great video on one of my favourite WW2 aircraft - thanks Ed. What a pity there are none left to see.

[@davidherbst]

This is one of those aircraft I always see mentioned in passing, with an occasional photo, but never fully explored. Thanks for this.

[@michaeltelson9798]

The Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force was used primarily in support of Tito’s forces so they didn’t fight against their own countrymen. Ground looping was considered a greater threat than mentioned here as it resulted in crew deaths. Buscaglia who was the top Italian SM 79 torpedo ace was shot down by a Spitfire and declared dead by Italian forces at the time. He actually survived and was hospitalized. The Fascist Italian air arm ARN named a squadron after him, but he showed up in command of Martin Baltimores of the Co-Belligerent Air Force. He sadly died from a ground looping accident in a Baltimore. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Emanuele_Buscaglia

[@chaosXP3RT]

American vehicles have killed so many soldiers and aircraft. A testament to just how unreliable they are. It's so sad. From MRAPs rolling over to Sherman tanks exploding in balls of fire to trash aircraft like the Baltimore.

[@esmenhamaire6398]

I'd heard of the Baltimore, but didn't know anything about it. Looks a bit like a cross between a Blenheim and a Hampden! Great video Ed, thank you!

[@amandahuggandkiss2998]

I have the old FROG kit of the Baltimore. Still sealed up after 60 years.

[@DraftySatyr]

Knew I had a memory of building a Baltimore in my youth! Just couldn't remember the details - sadly an increasingly frequent occurrence!

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

Me, still unbuilt

[@stuartpeacock8257]

Thank you for your comprehensive guide to this important yet largely unknown machine without which the war in the Western Desert, Middle East and Mediterranean would have been more protracted and costly campaigns

[@VangelisKontogeorgakos]

The Martin Baltimore has great historical significance for the ex-Royal Hellenic Air force.

[@whalesong999]

When I was about 10, a friend of mine had gotten several WW2 identification models used by the AAC and made in black Bakelite. The one that caught my attention the most was of the Baltimore and with such an impression, years later, I made a radio control model of one using electric power. It's quite handsome, never flew it though it nicely fits all the successful design parameters to work well. Must be something sentimental. The skinny fuselage was a striking feature but in the model actually makes for a good carry-through spar arrangement. Thanks for posting this episode of an airplane with good potential that wasn't quite dealt with in the best of ways.

[@bored383]

Baltimore is the closest major city - and the area the plant Martin built was inside of Baltimore County. Martin State Airport is a roughly 20min drive from where I grew up in the city.

[@thewatcher5271]

Hey Man, That Was Great! A Very Underrated Aircraft & I Doubt There's A Better Tribute Anywhere. It Really Is A Shame There's None Left. Thank You.

[@neilwilson5785]

Off topic, but back in the day, some B-25s visited Luton airport en route to the movie Hanover Street. We sneaked to the back of the hangars and saw them. the security guys shooed us away. They were pretty nice about it. 1979 was a more accessible time for plane enthusiasts.

[@stephenrickstrew7237]

Cheers Ed .. Thanks for this one ..! You did mention the A-20 so I hope that’s an upcoming episode..

[@whtalt92]

That photo of the overturned B-26 @ 7:47 looks to be a landing accident/overshoot, as it had it's gear deployed.

[@nonamesplease6288]

Good morning Ed! Thank you for the follow up to the Maryland!

[@SuperchargedSupercharged]

At 11:50 that is a great looking fuel truck! Would love to have one of those.

[@Palanadine]

In Greece they were in service with the Royal Hellenic Air Force (RHAF) 13th Light Bomber Squadron.

[@kevinludlow7561]

I think this video is up with your best, excellent. I had no idea that the turret was beefed up later in the war with 50cal guns. A great picture of Baltimores with B25s. Perhaps a good pub quiz question would be the " Which aircraft would be the most difficult to swing a cat in. a: the Hampden b: the Baltimore c: the Havoc." As always looking forward to the next video.

[@DraftySatyr]

Thank you Ed, yet another enjoyable/educational video. Handsome aircraft, pity there are no survivors.

[@MW-re8tg]

Thank you for making this video. I'm always on the lookout for any images of the Baltimore my Uncle lost his life in at the end of the war in Italy 16 April 1945.

[@johnforsyth7987]

Thank you for another informative and entertaining video. This is one that I actually did know a fair amount about. It is unfortunate that none of these aircraft have survived.

[@robbierobinson8819]

Thank you for covering this stalwart bomber and doing so in your inimitable fashion. SAAF airmen who sometimes visited my father to talk about the desert campaign where he served in the artillery parised the Baltimore, so I have memories of hearing the name from childhood.

[@nortoncomando3728]

Great vid for a lesser known but important aircraft. I really enjoyed seeing the variety of defensive armaments employed. I would like to hear more about the Boulton Paul turret or the Martin twin 50 variants combat record. Thanks again for the Ivy League University Grade lecture for us Aircraft enthusiasts. I always learn something new on this channel

[@roykliffen9674]

"Skinny American" ..... well, that's a combination of words that is rarely heard today.😂😂😂

[@DraftySatyr]

Can I fetch you a saucer of cream, sir?

[@LV_CRAZY]

I resemble that remark!

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks Ed Nash.... Shoe🇺🇸

[@nicholasbell9017]

Thanks for this history of an unsung hero of an aircraft.

[@lachg1714]

My grandfather was aircrew in the RAAF. Rear gunner and wireless operator. As stated in Africa and later the Mediterranean.

[@TheDkeeler]

They really had to stuff that dorsal turret in with a shoe horn on such a narrow fuselage , but they did it. Thanks Ed.

[@RemusKingOfRome]

I'm sure her crews would tell many tales about her, her faults and strengths, in books about their war careers.

[@jb6027]

Another totally excellent video!

[@BHuang92]

Along with the Maryland bombers, the Baltimore bombers is well known in the state of Maryland due to its namesake! As a native Marylander, that I can testify!

[@MM22966]

So if I went to Baltimore, and asked a kid on the street what the best medium bomber of WW2 was, he'd say "A Baltimore!", and not "Gimme your wallet!"?

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

I am from an “airplane” family; my grandfather had a plane when I was a child. He also worked at Martin and we lived in Hagerstown. Hence I grew up watching A-10s fly. Both the Maryland and Baltimore are forgotten. I knew about them and so do you; other than that few Marylanders or anyone else does. As a young adult I built a very pretty Maryland in Vichy colors. I might even have an old Novo Baltimore kit unbuilt somewhere.

[@USNVA11]

@@MM22966- ROFLMAO ! 🤣

[@jtjames79]

​@@MM22966why not both?

[@MM22966]

A history-minded mugger?@@jtjames79

[@hckyplyr9285]

Luv your channel Rex and love the coverage you give to often overlooked types. Thanks for the welcome content.

[@Chilly_Billy]

Wrong channel! 😁

[@NV..V]

Rex.....really?

[@Chilly_Billy]

I've always been partial to the looks of the Baltimore. I just wish there was a good 1/72 scale model of it.

[@sealove79able]

An absolutely great very interesting video and tactical aircraft Mr.Ed as always.Would you make a video about the 1940ish design the B36 and what if had it been used during the WWII?Have a good one.

[@johnusher1921]

A couple of your photos seem to show examples - FA204 - with expanded bomb bays - is that for extra fuel, extra bombs, possibly torpedoes. supply dropping or ferrying??

[@paulfrantizek102]

Baltimore sounds like the bomber equivalent of the Curtis P40: Airplane that fell from awareness once it was replaced in US service, but served through the war admirably in foreign air arms.

[@flightlinemedia]

Nice work!

[@usedcarsokinawa]

Another great video, Ed!

[@timothysweet-dt8sg]

ive read some good books aboot these doing recon for the beaufighters and joint attacks ,good plane theywere and non saved.

[@randyhavard6084]

Excellent video

[@neilrandell5880]

Great follow up to the Maryland video but I have a question about a couple of the Baltimore's shown namely the ones with the larger belly, what was it's use.

[@kirbygriffin]

Nice work! Thanks

[@hammersandnails1458]

Very interesting. Also, Mr. Nash is one of the few Brits on YT who pronounces Maryland correctly!

[@Theonixco]

New video on Prigozhin 'plane crash' here soon? Seems he's been officially knocked off.

[@billy4072]

Ffs I nearly welled up at the end 😢. But that b26 looked lush. Not the one , upside down,,

[@randylang9017]

I could see the building Martin built the seaplanes in out the back door of my dad's house.

[@callenclarke371]

Excellent Content.

[@andreperrault5393]

“A worrying speed of Mach 0.82.” Thanks, a good laugh. It shows the strength of the aircraft. In many ways it is similar to the Lockheed Ventura, a development of the Hudson.

[@luvr381]

Seems like the Havoc was a more useful application of a pair of R-2600s.

[@irishrover4658]

Always fascinated by these bombers that didn't really serve with U.S. forces. And by always I mean I'm 79 and I first read about Baltimores and Maryland's in high school.

[@USAACbrat]

you can see where the nose of the Black Widow night fighter comes from.

[@jwrappuhn71]

Excellent.

[@brucewelty7684]

thanks

[@JGCR59]

I wonder if there isn't a wreck around either in the desert or in the Mediterranean that can be recovered

[@johndavey72]

WOW ! Mach 0.82 hope all the crew got the purple hearts !......l see Yevgeny Prigozhin has died in a "plane crash " .............Thank Ed.

[@animalian01]

Always a good aircraft, not as famous as others but still very good.

[@billsmith5166]

Mach .82!

[@radosaworman7628]

Luftwaffe be like: "We need to create shnell bomber" (Proceeds to never field one that is adequatly fast in numbers) GB and US "What bomber?" (Created multiple successful types of schnell bombers)

[@drstevenrey]

Another one in the long list of aircraft that follow my basic rule: If it looks good, it flies good.

[@gort8203]

Perhaps Martin should have built the B-26 instead. Actually, in away they did. There were only 1,575 Baltimores built, as opposed to over 5,000 Marauders. Over 7,000 Douglas A-20s were built, and the Douglas is more directly comparable to the Baltimore but outperformed it somewhat. Seems there was no great demand for the Baltimore.

[@petertyson4022]

That was interesting. I know we used the American mustang. ( improved by the British. ). But didn't know we had other USA aircraft in the RAF. This has opened my eyes a bit. Got to find out more. . 👍✴👾✴👍

[@kgs42]

A candidate for one of the best looking aircraft, not just of its time.

[@alanhay1]

Palm Springs Air museum had a Baltimore in restoration in 2016. unknown status today

[@chrismurnane6389]

Looks a bit like a Bristol Beaufort. Were they built under Licence by Martin for the British RAF?

[@kutter_ttl6786]

No,the Beaufort was only made in Britain and Australia (for the RAAF). There was never any US manufacturing.

[@nickdanger3802]

Australian built Beauforts It was proposed that a change of powerplant could be made to the Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp, which was already in use on Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed Hudsons.[3] Orders for the engine were placed and a factory was set up at Lidcombe and run by General Motors Holden. The locally built engines were coded S3C4-G, while those imported from America were coded S1C3-4.[22]

[@TheOsfania]

As a fan of the Baltimore Orioles, I approve.

[@Knuck_Knucks]

Cheers to the Baltimore!

[@Cuccos19]

If the Maryland was a pretty bomber, this is even more so. A quite unnoticed aircraft of WWII, sadly. Not a single one saved. It's like the thylacine, only exists on photos and videoclips.

[@jamesbugbee9026]

In early days when the desert war carried elements of romance, Baltimores cutting across road convoys @ low altitude 2 avoid trained-in flak guns were a vivid part of the picture; not saving one of these unique & attractive a/c is a shame in the same class as not saving the USS Enterprise

[@DraftySatyr]

Would that be the Enterprise D or the Enterprise E? 😉

[@A14b19]

My mates dad flew these and after school at there home for tea he would tell me stories of his flying .😮oh god I wished I had a tape recorder and recorded. Can you imagine dog fighting two fw190 in the med down to sea level he stalled turned constantly attacking head on till out of ammo and cannon the two fwd went each side of him saluted and returned to Italy . He saw a camp in front of allied lines and as nco he took control and went to investigate as all ammo was spent so he told me he hit the deck props skipping the sand and flew down the Center blowing all the tents over . On getting back his sq leader ripped him to peace’s as it was a British troop which had advanced without command knowing lucky the he told me attacking shipping clipping the water coming back with bent props , pilots dying on take of so over loaded it took all the runway this man was my hero he thought me about flying things I didn’t understand till I learnt to fly and did things he did low , stall wing overs , then I understood and I told him I in a single engine him in a twin … what a man british few with South African air force and now I’m retired still my hero never forget Sid 😊

[@kiereluurs1243]

Nice shape.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

@EdNashsMilitaryMatters >>> Great video...👍

[@jon9021]

Blimey, I don’t fancy the chances of that upper gunner getting out quickly…mind you, it looks rough for everybody actually.

[@pencilpauli9442]

TBH I hadn't realised the Baltimore continued ops right up to 1945.

[@gitfoad8032]

Great example of being let-down by the 'experts' who all seem to pool themselves around the usual watering holes, like a tacit agreement to write something out of history by ommision. Shame no survivors.

[@jamesbugbee9026]

This social dynamic works in every academic field, diluting FX

[@TheWalterKurtz]

A crime that none were kept for posterity.

[@yes_head]

Were there any other countries that had such an overwhelming industrial output that a prime contractor could make planes for other countries that the U.S. didn't even want. Sort of like the F-5 later on.

[@mikearmstrong8483]

Not exactly the first plane to come to mind when mach numbers are mentioned.

[@deeacosta2734]

Ladies. Love. Ed. Nash.

[@ericvantassell6809]

I thought Martin Bormann was killed trying to escape Berlin. I guess I'll find out the truth when I get to watch the video

[@lafeelabriel]

A absolute crying shame that not even one survives. Sure it wasn't flashy, but it did it's part in fighting the ugliest war humanity has fought on this scale to date.

[@whalesong999]

Years ago, I happened into some news that one does exist in an Australian museum though I researched no further.

[@lafeelabriel]

@@whalesong999 would certainly be worth investigating if it's true.

[@whalesong999]

@@lafeelabriel Just did a search of Australia's air museums and no luck as they list their examples clearly.

[@stephengardiner9867]

This aircraft was easily as modern as its contemporaries. Not blindingly brilliant but a design that could get the job done, as long as it was not sent in unprotected. Too many WWII aircraft are demonized or marginalized when they were quite capable but mis-deployed.

[@USAACbrat]

Turned down by USAAC because only 1 piolet.

[@stuartgmk]

👍

[@MaticTheProto]

Yet another aircraft that received no love by the war thunder devs

[@salty4496]

:)

[@dude126]

Horses for courses.

[@joebuckaroo82]

Speaking from a purely aesthetic viewpoint, it's whale-like appearance probably didn't help its legacy.

[@charlesmoss8119]

Mach 0.82 - yikes

[@McRocket]

🙄 I truly believe that the people who led RAF Bomber Command did not give a toss about the health of the crew flying their combat aircraft. 1) what's the point of outfitting, little .303's to fight off enemy fighters for their bombers? Which they did for almost all of the war. When the enemy could sit back and blast you with 13mm MG's and 20mm cannon? And 2) these are the same RAF jerks that outfitted almost ALL of their long-range bombers with vulnerable, liquid-cooled engines. Of course, the Yanks were smart enough to outfit rugged, radial (air-cooled) engines to all of their purpose-built bombers. Thanks for this video, Ed. ☮

[@gitfoad8032]

The bit about 4-engine jobs being sitters for schragemuzik - Lanc had an in-built position for a ventral gun. The thing about how co-ordinated the RAF was is a question: during the Battle of Britain, there was no official doctrine for fighter tactics I gather - except form an orderly queue & attack from astern one after the other (vic's), & that same lack of 'guidance' carried-thru' 'til the end of the BoB.

[@McRocket]

@@gitfoad8032 My comment was not just about schragemuzik or RAF four-engined bombers. Look at the Baltimore? The RAF just had to outfit their puny .303's into it. Rendering it much less formidable. ☮

[@sugarnads]

​@@gitfoad8032the raf most certainly had doctrine. Fighting area tactics. It was one of those good idea in theory but shit in practice things.

[@sugarnads]

They HAD .303 by the millions. And given the rafs night bombing strategy the 303 was fine. The enemy night fighters had to get in close anyway. They didnt have to KILL their atackers. Just scare them off. A mission kill in effect.

[@McRocket]

@sugarnads that is no excuse. They should have stopped production on the .303's and moved to higher calibers... like almost all the major powers did. 'Scare them off'. I HIGHLY doubt German fighter pilots defending their cities/women/children from destruction are going to break off an attack by being scared off. And those big, twin-engined Ju88's and bf110's would be able to take a heck of a lot more .303's than 0.5's/20mm defensive fire. ✌️

[@brucebaxter6923]

Throwing out a random thought? Turret fighters? Did anyone put a tail turret in the nose of a fighter to allow it better defection shots and greater stability and strafing ability than aligning the whole aircraft? Kind of like attack helicopters with front seat gunner and tracking guns

[@chonqmonk]

Yes! Try the Boulton Paul "Defiant."

[@brucebaxter6923]

@@chonqmonk Thanks, but that is not nose mounted nor a tail turret, it’s a dorsal retractable turret

[@sugarnads]

Pointless over-complication

[@brucebaxter6923]

@@sugarnads Yet is in modern attack helicopters. It would take something like a mosquito that isn’t as manoeuvrable as a small fighter and give it the ability to still hit a fighter in a dog fight by aiming the front guns.

[@sugarnads]

@@brucebaxter6923 dude. The smaller more agile fighter ISNT going to be in front of the mosquito. Itll be behind it. Or are you assuming gross incompentence on the part of the 109 or 190 pilot? The mozzie had 4 20mm cannon and 4 machine guns up front. If you get in front of it you WILL die. A turret in the nose? Massive increase in parasitic drag. Massive weight increase. So. You want to turn a 400+ mph fighter into a maybe 300mph fighter than now cant turn and climb and accelerate like it used to? And then will not be able to get into a position to use the front mounted turret coz the enemy will be fighting each other to ljne up behind it... An apache attack helo is a totally different kettle of fish. Its not designed to fight other helicopters. Its designed to kill ground targets. That look shoot ability is welcome in that role. The aeroplane is designed around that ability- pop up acquire shoot disappear.

[@janwitts2688]

I'd so rather serve in a mosquito

[@PauloPereira-jj4jv]

The narrator's accent doesn't help.

[@SeannoG1]

Isn't "skinny American" an oxymoron?