Martin 4-0-4

The Martin 4-0-4 is a twin‑engine, short‑haul airliner that emerged from the Glenn L. Martin Company in the early 1950s as a pressurized evolution of the earlier 2‑0‑2. First delivered to the United States Air Force in 1950 for transport duties, the type quickly found a civilian market, most notably with Eastern Air Lines, American Airlines, and Trans World Airlines, which operated the aircraft throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑2800‑CA13 piston engines delivering 2,400 horsepower each, the 4‑0‑4 could cruise at 280 knots, carry up to 40 passengers, and offered a cabin altitude of 8,000 feet, a comfort improvement over its unpressurized predecessor. Its all‑metal, low‑wing design featured retractable landing gear, de‑icing boots, and a conventional tail, providing reliable performance on regional routes and rugged airports. The 4‑0‑4 played a pivotal role in the transition from propeller‑driven transports to early jetliners, demonstrating the economic viability of pressurized, high‑capacity aircraft for airlines expanding post‑war networks. Today, a handful of restored examples serve as museum pieces, preserving a key chapter in mid‑century American aviation history.

Glenn L. Martin Company

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