This Day in Aviation History

November 22nd, 1946
First flight of the Martin 2-0-2.

The Martin 2-0-2 was an airliner introduced in 1947. The twin-engined piston aircraft was designed and built by the Glenn L. Martin Company.

Glenn L. Martin, president of the company, intended that the Model 202 would be a replacement for the DC-3. It was also known as the “Martin Executive”.

The first flight of the Model 2-0-2 was in November 1946. Full civilian certification was gained in August 1947. This was several months before competing aircraft types. The total production of 2-0-2 and 2-0-2A was 47 aircraft.

The aircraft was non-pressurized but was considered a long range airliner. The fatal crash in 1948 of Northwest Airlines Flight 421 revealed a serious structural problem in the wings. Structural metal fatigue was the problem in a major wing spar. Alloy 7075-T6 was used, which is susceptible to stress-corrosion cracking and low toughness. The airliner was grounded and modifications were made. The wing components were redesigned and the engines replaced. The changed type was designated the Martin 2-0-2A.

Source:
Wikipedia, Martin 2-0-2:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_2-0-2

WCCO, Long Forgotten NWA Crash In Mpls. Stirs Memories:
http://cbsloc.al/11MXtyL

Don’t forget to +1, Comment and Share!
For more aviation content like this. Please follow me at Gazing Skyward TV 

#avgeek   #aviation   #history