KerbalX

The Martin NBS-1 on display in the SPH.

• Although few people are likely to know about this, I included MB-2 designation in the craft name in case someone tries looking for the plane with that tag.
• I started with my Caproni Ca.3 replica and modified the rear so that it only has one fuselage instead of two. As for the engines, I reduced the motor size to 10% and kept the main torque limit at 20%. I noticed in my last several test flights involving props that the recommended throttle for cruise was way less than half (sometimes even a third), and I recall when I first started using props that I was advised to have a reduced motor size. So, in hopes of increasing fuel efficiency and leaving a recommended cruise throttle that made sense, I configured the engines as I had mentioned earlier.

While this did work wonders for the plane’s range, it did not help my sleep schedule.

• I switched the regular prop blades with ducted blades to improve performance, especially speed. If I ever do prop planes again, I’ll either use ducted blades since they work the best or the large regular prop blades (like the ones on larger aircraft like the Commando or the Peacemaker).
• Since the real-life NBS-1 had wings that folded, I started with taking the outer halves of the wings off and adding hinges to the middle before re-attaching them. Just like with my XF-85 Goblin replica, I removed the symmetry and did not autostrut them so that I don’t end up with freezing hinges again.
• Behind the front gunner, I installed a solar panel to mimic a seat and to give the plane a power source if it’s just sitting there in the sun.
• For the finishing touch, I added a couple of monoprop tanks with tailfins to copy bombs.

Photograph of a Martin NBS-1 replica with its wings folded on the runway. This makes storage easier when the plane was not in use - at least when actual Martin NBS-1s were flown.

• However, just like in real life, this plane was soon replaced with metal monoplane bombers such as the Martin B-10.
• This particular replica was built for showcasing purposes in Woomerang and put on static display when not in use.

Jeb didn’t need to touch the controls (except for throttle and turning SAS on) to get off the ground at only 30 m/s.

The Martin NBS-1 flying north through the countryside.

• This replica, which was completed around the time Bill, Jeb, and Val graduated high school, came equipped with a probe core. Old historical records buried deep in (what used to be) Martin Aerospace Incorporated’s archives point towards the NBS-1 having an incredible range for a bomber of its time. However, there were also complaints of pilot fatigue and some crashes resulting from said fatigue documented as well. To prevent such tragedies from happening again with this replica, the man who commissioned this expressly mentioned that it should come with an autopilot and a means to control it remotely from the ground.
• For once, Jeb was grateful that this plane had an autopilot. From what he was told before testing this replica, he and Bill were in for a long and agonizingly slow flight. With the autopilot on, the two of them could sleep while the plane was cruising.

While flying north, Jeb had to fly around some mountains. Good thing Bill was there to wake him up, or they would be dead.

Jeb and Bill flying over Kerbin’s north pole with the moon shining behind them.

• Minutes after this photo was taken, they passed out from the cold. Apparently, you need helmets if you’re flying in an open cockpit in the polar regions.
• Good thing that the plane had a probe core connected to ground control, or they would be toast when the plane ran out of fuel.

After clearing the north pole, the NBS-1 is seen flying towards some islands with ground control looking for a place to land it.
- Emergency rescue crews in the area were alerted and dispatched to the area.

Range calculation on Symbolab

A (not-so) perfect landing. If both occupants didn’t need to be rushed to the hospital after collection, it would have been perfect.

• This plane was armed the whole time. If it wasn’t, it might have better performance stats - but this should at least serve as a minimum expectation.
• After Jeb recovered, he told his friends he learned why Marxan pilots - which were located around Kerbin’s south pole - always wore closed helmets while flying open-cockpit planes in their home turf.

While Jeb and Bill were in the hospital, the NBS-1 replica was transported back to Krakopolis and two more pilots volunteered to do a fake bombing run.