Martin 4-0-4

Martin 4-0-4
Country	USA
Role	Short/medium range airline
First flight	October 21, 1950
Built	103

The Martin 4-0-4 was an American pressurized passenger airliner built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. In addition to airline use initially in the United States, it was used by the United States Coast Guard and United States Navy as the RM-1G (later as the VC-3A).

Source: Martin 4-0-4 on Wikipedia

Martin 404 Airliner Silver Falcon Walk Around
Photographer	Bill Maloney
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	18

Martin 404 Airliner Silver Falcon 02

Martin 404 Airliner Silver Falcon 01

Martin 404 Airliner Silver Falcon 04

Martin 404 Airliner Silver Falcon 03

Martin 404 Airliner Silver Falcon 05

Martin 404 Airliner Silver Falcon 06

Martin 404 Airliner Silver Falcon 07

Martin 404 Airliner Silver Falcon 08

Martin 404 Airliner Silver Falcon 09

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General Characteristics and Role

The Martin 404 Silver Falcon was a pressurized, twin-engine piston airliner built by the Glenn L. Martin Company in the early 1950s. Designed as an incremental improvement over the earlier Martin 2-0-2 series, the 404 was specifically developed to meet the demands of major U.S. carriers like Eastern Air Lines and Trans World Airlines (TWA) for reliable, short-to-medium-haul domestic routes. Its primary role was to replace older, unpressurized aircraft. The key improvements included a stretched fuselage to accommodate more passengers and the introduction of a pressurized cabin, which allowed for smoother, high-altitude cruising. The aircraft was known for its sleek design and was a transitional type between the older DC-3 era and the emerging turboprops and early jets.

Property	Typical Value (Martin 404)
Role	Short-to-Medium Haul Pressurized Airliner
National Origin	United States
Manufacturer	Glenn L. Martin Company
First Flight	21 October 1950
Crew	3 (Pilot, Co-pilot, Flight Attendant)
Capacity	40 passengers
Length	22.76 m (74 ft 8 in)
Wingspan	28.40 m (93 ft 3 in)
Height	8.64 m (28 ft 4 in)
Max Takeoff Weight	20,412 kg (45,000 lb)

Powerplant and Performance

Engine: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB16 Double Wasp 18-cylinder, air-cooled radial piston engines.
Power Output (Per Engine): 1,865 kW (2,500 hp).
Cruise Speed: 450 km/h (280 mph; 240 kn).
Service Ceiling: 7,376 m (24,200 ft).
Range: 1,940 km (1,210 mi; 1,050 nmi).
Features: High-wing configuration and twin-engine design, providing a stable, reliable platform.

Legacy and Service

Production: A total of 103 Martin 404s were built, making it a relatively small production run compared to its competitors.
Major Operators: Primarily used by Eastern Air Lines (60 aircraft) and TWA (40 aircraft), with Eastern often referring to their fleet as the Silver Falcon.
Retirement: The aircraft were quickly superseded by more economical turboprops (like the Lockheed Electra) and jetliners (like the Boeing 707) in the late 1950s and early 1960s, leading to their sale to smaller airlines and freight operators.
Design Note: Unlike the earlier 2-0-2, the 404 featured the desirable pressurized fuselage which extended its operational flexibility and passenger comfort.