Glenn Martin 167 in French service 1939-1940

[Alex Smart]

From what I have read in the AB RAF Serial Number books and the AB book on Lend- Lease, which gives a little history of the Maryland and the French order for the Glenn Martin 167F.

Their order was for a total of 245 aircraft in two batches.

115 for early 1939 and a second for 130 after the declaration of the War.
Their first aircraft was delivered in December 1939.
By May 1940 they had seventy seven in service.
At the end of hostilities they had 245 aircraft, many still in their delivery boxes. Some 40 aircraft are thought to have been lost in the fighting.

In regard to those Maryland I's in the BJ421 - BJ428.
These were delivered in January 1941 from the ex French contract F-272.
BJ421,423,425,427 served with 69 Sqdn.
BJ428 went to serve with the FFAF.
And BJ422,424,426 were lost at sea. Not sure if this was during delivery to the UK or after delivery and lost during delivery to the ME ?

BS760 to BS777 were delivered in January 1941 from the ex French contract F272. BS771 and BS775 were lost at sea on 27/02/1941.

50 Maryland I's AR702 to AR751 from the French Contract F272 were delivered between July 1940 and January 1941.

2 Martin 167F's impressed on arrival from Tunisia, AX670 ex 102 and AX671 ex 82. However the RAF serial number's were not carried on these two aircraft.

2 Martin 167F's diverted to the RAF from the French con were delivered in December 1940. AX689 ex 1174 and AX690 ex1170 both served with 39 Sqdn.

2 Martin 167F's diverted to the RAF from the French Contract were delivered in December 1940. AX692 ex 1167 and AX693 ex 1173.

1 Martin 167F diverted to the RAF from the French contract was AX696 ex 1191 which went on to serve with the SAAF.

150 Maryland II's AH280 to AH429 from the French Contract F272 were delivered between March 1941 and March 1942.

61 Martin's were given UK serials. 284 to 310 312 to 345 to the UK while 311 went to the Middle East.

So if you take the 50 AR's, the five AX's and the BJ's 421,423,425,427 and 428 that gives 60 then 311 that went to the ME totall's 61.

The 150 in the AH serial range were later deliveries.

Oh yes there were at least three others,
HK 836, probably ex French.
HK845, Presumed escaped from Vichy AF, Soc 22/02/1942.
HK865, impressed, probably ex Vichy AF.

Hope that this is of some use.
All the best,
Alex