Exhibit – Martin 202A

Martin 202A – N93204

THE MARTIN AIRLINER FAMILY

In the years following World War II, the Glenn L. Martin Company turned its focus toward commercial aviation, developing a new generation of airliners intended to replace the widely used Douglas DC-3.

The result was the Martin 2-0-2, a modern twin-engine airliner introduced in 1947. Designed to carry approximately 40 passengers at higher speeds, the aircraft represented a bold step forward in postwar airline travel.

However, early versions of the 2-0-2 revealed structural weaknesses in the wing spar. This led to a redesigned and strengthened version, known as the Martin 2-0-2A, which returned safely to service.

Building on these lessons, Martin developed an improved and more successful follow-on aircraft, the Martin 4-0-4, featuring a longer fuselage, stronger structure, and a pressurized cabin for greater passenger comfort.

Although production numbers were limited, these aircraft played an important role in the transition from wartime aviation to modern commercial air travel.

A Rare Survivor of Early Postwar Air Travel

This aircraft, Martin 202A serial number 14074 is the only surviving example of its type in the world. Built in 1950 by the Glenn L. Martin Company and originally operated by Trans World Airlines (TWA) during the early years of modern commercial aviation. Designed as a post-World War II replacement for the Douglas DC-3, the Martin 2-0-2 was a twin-engine airliner capable of carrying up to 40 passengers across regional routes in the United States.

After its service with TWA, this aircraft flew for Allegheny Airlines throughout the 1960s, connecting cities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Following retirement, it was stored for many years before being acquired by the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey in the early 1980s, where it remains preserved today as the only surviving example of its type.

During its operational life, this aircraft also appears to have been used for charter flights, including a documented association with the British pop group Herman’s Hermits during their U.S. tours in the mid-1960s, an era when touring musicians increasingly relied on dedicated aircraft to travel between cities. A photograph from this period shows a Martin 202A airliner, registration N93204, the very aircraft now preserved here at the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey.

While no definitive record confirms that the band regularly traveled aboard this aircraft, the image suggests that N93204 may have been used for charter or promotional purposes during their tour.

Visitors today can step aboard this historic airliner and experience a rare glimpse into the golden age of piston-powered commercial flight.

Aircraft Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Glenn L. Martin Company
  • Year Built: 1950
  • Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines
  • Capacity: ~40 passengers
  • Service Era: 1950s–1960s
  • Status: Last surviving Martin 202A

Aircraft Background

The Martin 202 was one of the first new airliners developed after World War II. Designed for speed and efficiency, it featured a streamlined fuselage and powerful twin engines capable of carrying a similar payload to larger four-engine aircraft.

However, early models experienced structural fatigue issues in the wing spar, leading to modifications and the improved 202A version. This design later evolved into the more successful pressurized Martin 404.

Today

Today, N93204 is recognized as the last surviving example of its kind. It is preserved here at the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey, offering visitors a rare opportunity to step inside a true artifact of aviation and cultural history.