During 1944 the US Army Air Force issued its first specification for a large jet bomber, the Martin Model 223 being one of the contenders to meet this requirement. Two XB-48 prototypes were ordered, the first of tivem flying on 14 June 1947 as a large shoulder-wing monoplane with the capability of carrying up to 9072kg of bombs. Power was provided by six 1701kg thrust Allison J35-A-5 turbo-jets, three mounted beneath each wing. The landing gear was of the new bicycle form with main units ahead of and behind the bomb bay. The 33.02m span Model 223 failed to win a production contract.

3-View

A three-view drawing (800 x 1112)