The AM-1 Martin Mauler was designed during World War II to combine both the bombing and torpedo functions previous performed by several aircraft in the postwar Navy. The prototype for the aircraft first flew in 1944. Production began in 1945 with an order for 750 units and when production was terminated in 1949, a total of 151 had been built. In general, the Mauler was a maintenance nightmare, particularly the leaky hydraulic systems.
The aircraft on display in the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon was the eighteenth Mauler built and is one of four surviving originals.
More from the Erickson Aircraft Collection
Erickson Aircraft: Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Messerschmidt 109 (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Vaught F4U-7 Corsair (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Grumman J2F-6 Duck (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Grumman FM2 Wildcat (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Focke-Wulf 190 (photo diary)