3d martin maryland bomber - Martin Maryland by pbratt

The Martin model 167 was designed for the USAAC as an attack bomber but was not adopted for service. A French order for 215 however secured the project. During the battle of France the Martin 167 had the lowest loss rate of any French bomber. After the fall of France the British took over the order and ordered 225 more, renaming the aircraft Maryland. Most of the British and Commonwealth Marylands operated in the Western Desert and Mediterranean where they were used for light bombing and reconnaissance duties. Perhaps the most famous operation of the Maryland was the reconnaissance mission which preceded the famous Fleet Air Arm attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto.