The Metal US Bomber that Drove Everyone Crazy

In the fall of 1932, the U.S. Army Air Corps was on the hunt for a new bomber, something cutting-edge to keep the looming threat of war at bay. Henry Ford threw his tri-motor aircraft into the ring, taking it for a spin over Wright Field in Ohio. But military bigwigs weren't quite sold. The tri-motor, born in 1925, felt more like a blast from the past than a leap into the future.
The Air Corps was serious about finding a bomber that could go the distance-fly overseas and make it back in one piece. They opened up the floor for contenders, testing them out at Wright Field. Ford's tri-motor had its shot, and so did Boeing's Model 215. But it was the crew from Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company, cruising in their YB-10 with retractable landing gear, that made the Air Corps sit up and take notice.
As the YB-10 gracefully touched down on the runway, it was the answer to their prayers. It could fly the miles, handle the overseas missions, and bring everyone back home safely. And just like that, with the YB-10, the Air Corps had found what they'd been looking for.
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Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.
As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.
All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.

[@bulukacarlos4751]

My father, a Master Sergeant in the Argentine Air Force, was one of the last mechanics to work on the B-10s when he was just beginning his career. Greetings from Patagonia Argentina.

[@Euragone68]

I think it was a great looking aircraft for its day!

[@bulukacarlos4751]

@@Euragone68 I agree! It only had the problem of falling between 2 very relevant eras of aviation and not belonging to either of them.

[@tomgore9696]

My Dad flew anti-sub patrol in B-10s as a bombardier before being sent to Europe in '44. He said the B10 was perfect for the purpose because they had a very, very low stall speed and the nose turret afforded a really good view for the observer/bombardier. Low and slow was just the thing for that particular mission.

[@marvwatkins7029]

The innovative legendary B 10 deserves it's long forgotten due. Thanks DS.

[@stefanschleps8758]

Glen L. Martin of the past became Lockheed Martin today. A legendary American company! Semper Paratus.

[@michaellinner7772]

Dark Skies never disappoints.

[@frozencanary4522]

The Martins were used extensively for sub patrols along the east coast and gulf coast. The front glass turret was perfect for observation.

[@thomasconley3429]

As an old aviation buff, I knew of this Martin B-10, but had no idea of its WWII accomplishments.

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

Same here. I am particularly surprised by its role in the Malaya and Singapore campaign.

[@stevefranklin9920]

Yet another incredible aircraft that I have never heard of! Thanks for continuing to bring to our attention these much needed aircraft!

[@skycladobserver9246]

I have had the pleasure of seeing that B-10 @ Wright Pat many times. She's a real beauty in blue.

[@ChiefMac59]

Have been to Wright-Patterson several times and the B-10 is one of the jewels on display

[@Snake-ms7sj]

That B-10 is the only one in existence I believe and it was gifted to the museum by the government of Argentina.

[@HankyInTheTanky]

@@Snake-ms7sjyep she’s the last one left and did come from Argentina

[@walterbriggs272]

I can see features used on DC 3, B-17, and future large military aircraft. I’m constantly in awe of the 747 ability to fly at the weight, and gracefully

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

Dang, your scripts are eloquent and keep getting better, not to mention all the research. Great content.

[@stanleybest8833]

The Martin B10 was also equally blessed by it's ability to back off the throttle, for the miles.

[@NVRAMboi]

always loved the expression, "It (plane being discussed) has long legs."

[@stanleybest8833]

@@NVRAMboi had Martin given the bomber a sharp and down turned leading edge, it could have gone hundreds of miles further.

[@OTHSlice]

Excellent documentary, as usual from Dark Skies

[@shawnbeckmann1847]

Beautiful story thanks for Sharing it👍

[@EntrepreneursInCars]

Why is the plane in the thumb different?

[@benjaminrush4443]

Well done docu-video. Thanks.

[@marvwatkins7029]

I too thought it had never fought in WWII.

[@simplyexisting1125]

I knew a smoke jumper that said they had a old ford Tri star and when they looked down at the ground on the way to fires they could see cars on the I-5 driving faster than they were flying.

[@russbutton9347]

There is only one example left at the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB. Searching for one to restore, the one they found had been used as a chicken coop in Argentina.

[@Titus-as-the-Roman]

I have seen this aircraft many times, it is a nice looking aircraft in person, I can see why it was favored.

[@makschorney2514]

The German Zeppelin Stakken Ee20 of 1920 was an all metal, 4 engine. Monoplane that was designed as a bomber, but delivered as an airliner has a place in history.

[@j.t.frompa5508]

I was all ready to do a gotcha and say you said mono plane where clearly it had to have been a bi plane in 1920 but you were RIGHT! Fascinating story if you want to Google it. It was ordered to be destroyed by the allies out of fear it would lead to war plane development which it could have! Who knows, maybe WW2 could have started in 1929 instead of 10 years later if not for that decision. FYI don't rely on Wickepedia for info on the designer as for some reason the articles focus mainly on the companies he founded or worked for. Other postings indicate that he was anti Nazi and was forced to commit suicide in 1939. He had even moved his company to the U.S. but was unable to get any orders.

[@AlphaWhiskey_Haryo]

even Soerjadi Soerjadarma, the first Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff was a navigator in the ML-KNIL's B-10

[@michaelhorn8962]

I always thought the B-10 looked like a beluga whale.

[@ScarriorIII]

The 20s-30s in military aerospace tech is highly understudied.

[@j.pershing2197]

It took 20 yrs and millions of dollars to rebuild one of those early aircrafts. I found that interesting how quickly we lost those techniques

[@fazole]

​​@@j.pershing2197 Planes of the 20s and early 30s were largely hand built by craftsmen and machinists with abilities that just don't exist anymore. My granfather was disabled, so he wasn't drafted in WW2, but he made torpedoes. He was a master machinist and his tools were something between jewelers and a surgeon's tools! Those torpedoes' internal components looked like the finest watches in existence...a hundred tiny gears and splines.

[@j.pershing2197]

@@fazole They forget about those types of people dont they. Much of my family was Navy. Lost arts are prevalent now days. Cheers to him and u.

[@david9783]

I can't imagine walking into an aviation museum and thinking, "Yeah, I flew that, and that....oh there's another I've flown."

[@techristopher8077]

Indeed

[@NVRAMboi]

That era was unbelievable (globally) for aviation development.

[@marvwatkins7029]

The B-12 found a new life as a useful in fact vital vitamin. 😉

[@bradfordeaton6558]

I was aware of this airplane, but, not of its impressive record.Thank you!

[@robshirewood5060]

Reminds me of the nose of the later Lancaster and other similar aircraft. Vary interesting video thanks

[@dutchman7216]

That wonderful that they restored that aircraft.

[@ivanhicks887]

Thankyou Great Presentation

[@Tinker1950]

So, the thumbnail has nothing to do with the actual video?

[@stevelacombe5291]

Fighter plane technology quickly caught up.

[@peterwhite7252]

The B10 nose turret looked abit odd, good visability one would feel a bit vunrable up front.

[@BrianPeloso-ln4ry]

It never ceases to amaze me me how much money and effort was expended on projects that provided so little in the way of bang for the buck.

[@Mrblueridgeman]

Not necessarily true. It was another stepping stone in technology. I’m sure valuable lessons were learned.

[@johngeorgegately7402]

Never knew any of this. Thanks for the video.

[@duncanmcgee13]

Looks like thumbnail and title were meant for the xp81

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

The thumbnail looks more like a Bristol Blenheim.

[@duncanmcgee13]

@@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 the Blenheim has 2 engines, 1 in each wing. The thumbnail is literally the xp81 that uses a prop and a jet.

[@SatumangoTheGreat]

​@@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 then we don't see the same thumbnail. The one I see reminded me of a Ryan Fireball seen from the back.

[@trevor5290]

@ngoTheGreat Im seeing the XP81 and I found the thumbnail photo on Wiki about the xp81 ;)

[@SatumangoTheGreat]

​@@trevor5290me too, not sure what plane it is, but definitely not a Blenheim. But the uploader can set multiple thumbnails (or change it, I don't know) so different people can see different thumbnails.

[@vanpenguin22]

I'm a whiskers breadth away from 60 years old, I've spent my entire life geeking out on warbirds of every type and classification, and somehow, I have been oblivious to this one up to this last 15 minutes. SMH

[@300guy]

So why show the Douglas XB42 MixMaster in the title page?

[@jimblake3574]

XB-42 had pusher props, so that's not the picture. But I don't recognize what it is...?

[@jimblake3574]

Someone else recognized it as a XP-81.

[@andrewcomerford9411]

T. 5, not T. V (the Dutch used Roman numerals).

[@jeffapplewhite5981]

Never saw this aircraft! Thanks!

[@SeanPwnery]

Glad to see the B-10 making it here ... looking forward to the B-9 "Death Angel" and B-18 Bolo some day too.

[@johncunningham4820]

In its Time , I guess it was the Equivalent of a B-1 Lancer or Tu-160 White Swan . Bomber FASTER than the Interceptors that chase it . Looks a bit " Jules Verne " or Steampunk by todays standards , but hey , It Was The B -17 that replaced it . Remarkable Legacy .

[@billmorris2613]

Can any one tell me what the aircraft is in the thumbnail. It looks to either be a single engine turbo prop or a jet and reciprocating combination of engines. Sadly it was not mentioned in the video at all.

[@shubinternet]

@9:30 -- you're talking about the Royal Thai Air Force, but the pictures are clearly from the U.S. Army Air Corps.

[@thurin84]

hey, at least they were of b-10s and not a completely different aircraft.

[@ceejay960]

So, how exactly did it drive everyone crazy?

[@proteusnz99]

Why does an article about the Martin B-10 have a title thumbnail rear view of the Convair XP-81? An another omission was ignoring the Boeing X/Y B-9, a metal monoplane with retractable undercarriage, of course Boeing had been a fighter maker to that time.

[@lotophagi711]

I love the hilarious mispronunciations.

[@neilrudnik5023]

Might be irritating but I’m not giving it up learning too much

[@Andrew-iv5dq]

Around 8:30 the British Blenheim bomber is mentioned. It is pronounced “blenim”.

[@josephbayley6634]

What’s the plane in the thumbnail? It’s not a b10

[@allthefoolssailedaway]

This was the first bomber my grandfather flew in the Army air corps.

[@mikepalmer2219]

Very cool. I bet he had some interesting stories to tell from his life.

[@allthefoolssailedaway]

@@mikepalmer2219 oh yes! He was a WWII and Korean War vet!

[@mikepalmer2219]

@@allthefoolssailedaway What all did he fly of you don’t mind me asking?

[@allthefoolssailedaway]

@@mikepalmer2219 He was actually a bombardier not a pilot. He also flew with the 5th Air Force during WWII. He was a bombardier in B-17’s and B-24’s. Once he completed his 25 missions he rotated home to train new crews. He eventually went to the pacific and was in B-29’s. He would stay in the B-29 through the Korean War. He did briefly fly in the B-36 before he retired as a CWO.

[@mikepalmer2219]

@@allthefoolssailedaway oh wow he was in the B-36. That is really cool as well. It sounds like he led a very interesting life indeed. I am glad he came back from all that ok.

[@GTP2-zg9tn]

A U-Boat menace during the Battle of the Atlantic.

[@Hendo56]

Martin's is about 1/2 hour from me. It's a National Guard base and museum now.

[@superwout]

A BRISTOL BLENHEIM?

[@MarkAShaw64]

So why is the thumbnail a British Bristol Blenheim?

[@patrickgriffitt6551]

Apparently your thumbnail is different than mine.

[@outinthesticks1035]

My thumbnail shows something with a single prop engine , what looks like jet exhaust in back and tricycle landing gear

[@MarkAShaw64]

@@patrickgriffitt6551Looks like the thumbnail has now changed, I’ve never posted a video so I didn’t know it was possible after the initial upload.

[@thurin84]

i saw a b-10

[@johnassal5838]

@@outinthesticks1035 Same. A Convair XP-81 I think.

[@user-og1ux8nr3i]

How’d it compare to the German planes at the same time.

[@markgarin6355]

Funny looking

[@thinkingbill1304]

FYI, your thumbnail pic is of a Consolidated-Vultee XP-81 from 1945-'47. They were mixed power Merlin/turbojet and turboprop/turbojet escort fighter prototypes. The XP-81's are very interesting aircraft in their own right but they have nothing to do with Martin bombers of the '30's. Just saying.

[@thesnazzycomet]

why didnt u put a B-10 in the thumbnail

[@gotchagoing4905]

Be advised, youtube is forcing us to either join at $13.99 a month or endure the repetitious ads. I live on my VA disability and I can't afford that. So I probably won't be here much longer.

[@ShmoeMeister]

Pretty much not true, they advertise their premium services as do almost every product, but I do hope your situation gets better king 💯💪 just reject the offers and continue about your business , KZbin will always be free they just entice you with added benefits like removing the ads and downloading your favorite videos to watch without Internet or data , but just reject the offers and keep on about your business king 😎💪

[@ristube3319]

Disgusting that this is now how we live.

[@user-bz6bz2yy3w]

Frankly exiting KZbin seems ever more attractive to me. If you quit, make sure the fans can find you.

[@donnthesovereigncitizen1577]

I'm not paying, just to still be annoyed by ads I can't skip!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TecnamTwin]

You can't afford

[@poowg2657]

One of those crash landed here in Rhinelander Wisconsin while on a goodwill tour. The picture of the crash is in the city library.

[@auro1986]

you have many metal aircrafts or were there many inflatable and wooden aircrafts in those days?

[@randallpickering9944]

The P-40 and Hurricane had some fabric coverings.

[@travisbrewer5391]

Interesting, Argentina gifted the last B-10 to the USA exactly 12 years to the day before I was born and when I was 12 was the height of my fascination with aircraft design.

[@philipliethen519]

CRAZY they went!!! It IS the CRAZIEST EVER, so CRAZY it’s CRASIER than ALL the other CRAZIEST things EVER thought to be CRAZY!!! (The hyperbole of the title is a warning that the content is fluff).

[@halo64654]

Why the click bait thumbnail?

[@j.t.frompa5508]

Pet peeve I have is when the thumbnail image does not match the actual subject of the video. Here you have some sort of single engine aircraft as your thumbnail wheras the B10 is 2 engine aircraft. I tried to figure out what is was but gave up but then I found another viewer pointed out that is was a Consolidated XP 81 circa 1946. Why do so many Ytubers do this? It's not as if there were no images of an actual B 10 to choose from. Just saying.

[@Woodat]

One clickbait title too many

[@richardreynolds6398]

everything but pretty

[@DavidFMayerPhD]

I have seen it IN PERSON at the Air Force Museum.

[@user-qd1km1el2u]

It carried on a stiff resistance by the Dutch in Indonesia… Maybe whatshisname could learn how to say simple words like “Malaya” while practicing his Serling-surrogate delivery.

[@antiquatedflatulence1607]

I reside in Dayton, Ohio and been to U.S.A.F. museum quite a few times. I've seen many of the planes depicted on Dark Skies including the B-10.

[@ozicryptoG]

Henry Ford was shit at warfare. The Brits smashed it

[@j.pershing2197]

The Ford factories absolutely crushed building. I mean WTF are you on? He is literally famous for production

[@BiggHogg870]

Lol what are you talking about 🤡

[@Woffy.]

As a Brit I cannot agree with your unlettered statement, the Ford Tri Motor was a successful aircraft in Civil aviation it was not designed for military operations. You are obviously unaware that the Ford production plants produce British engines under licence and because the US had greater resources and advanced production lines achieved closer tolerance. WWII was a team effort.

[@joserefe5950]

the Beluga whale bomber.

[@SledgeFox]

I rarely make negative comments but this plane is not very aesthetically pleasing... 😮

[@tompiper9276]

Understating it a bit 😂

[@Paradise_Arms]

Can you do a video on the mixed propulsion xf15c?

[@nomercyinc6783]

nearly all ww2 american bombers were metal.

[@richiesrestorations4883]

As a business owner, I'll bet that aircraft company I never heard of really made a ton of money during that time and were so thrilled that their design won. I only hope if they had designers they rewarded them for their work.

[@patrickgriffitt6551]

Surprised you never heard of the Martin company. They made 4 different bomber aircraft that participated in WWII. Then participated in a bomber competition with the XB-51.Lost. And license built the B-57 bomber that fought in Vietnam. A rather prolific company. P.S. Their B-26 Marauder had the lowest loss rate of any medium bomber in the ETO. My uncle was an armorer on them.

[@charlestousley7227]

Martin Marietta and or Lockheed Martin may ring more of a bell. They merged with other companies and did a lot of work with NASA .

[@butchs.4239]

Martin did a lot of work for the Navy as well, producing the PBM Mariner, and JRM Mars flying boats. Martin set up a factory in Nebraska to build B-29s and ended up producing 531 of them, including all of the Silverplate B-29s such as Enola Gay and Bockscar.

[@lexion2772]

I'm more interested in newer, more exotic aircraft; but all of the Dark channels are a pleasure to watch.

[@traceybest8047]

My dad, a Staggerwing Beech owner, said that when the B-10 flew by the reviewing stand, Walter Beech flew his Staggerwing down and past it, showing how his civilian airplane could fly faster than the bomber and taking the wind out of B-10 display.

[@knine8154]

"Sleek aircraft"? 🤣

[@user-ok2fe6vv4e]

i've seen a yb-10 in a museum in china. apparently it was used for a time by the ROC airforce , and some airframes were abandoned. it must be one of the ugliest planes in history though..

[@marvwatkins7029]

Too bad the Republicans didn't have any in the Spanish Civil War. It might have made a difference. On the other hand, the Bf 109 might have made short work of it.

[@SpamMouse]

Metal or Mental ? 🤪

[@williamdrake2315]

It is interesting if true. Purportedly he was a pacifists. He had to have his arm twisted to build war materials.

[@mickeysmiths]

Great work 😅 Two videos on my channel hypothesize the chance MH370 successfully ditched in the southern Indian Ocean. Let me know what you think 👍

[@davidrivero7943]

Had as much glass as an AMC Pacer , but I see its appealments . Rakish , even now .

[@SPak-rt2gb]

Now that's ugly

[@arrjay2410]

It seems if there is a way to mispronounce something - Malay, Blenheim - you will do it.

[@SAS1122334455]

another dumb title

[@j.pershing2197]

I thought the same thing when i read your handle😂😂😂

[@JSFGuy]

Normally you examine the subject you're criticizing, you apparently didn't do any of that. How about your title?

[@affalaci.warthunder]

a little tip to improve ur videos, dont make so many asmr noises while talking bc it makes the whole video unwatchable. dont get me wrong your content is interesting i just cant stand all the saliva noises u make when u talk

[@miguelvaliente1475]

Repetitous as always.

[@Albanach-je1nk]

I am sorry Merkins but other country's were working on this at the same time. Sorry Merkkin MAGA but other country's still exist. Hail Grump great leader. By the it's just as anoying to hesr other country's miss pronounced not just Skaat lin .

[@silverwings1843]

This exemplifies The Military Industrial Complex WASTE!!!!

[@philipliethen519]

CRAZY they went!!! It IS the CRAZIEST EVER, so CRAZY it’s CRASIER than ALL the other CRAZIEST things EVER thought to be CRAZY!!! (The hyperbole of the title is a warning that the content is fluff).