| With the US Navy requiring a new patrol flying-boat, Martin decided to develop the successful PBM Mariner, the resulting Martin Model 237 design combining the wing and upper hull of the Mariner with the new lower hull structure. The close relationship between the two types is emphasised by the fact that a PBM-5 Mariner served as the prototype XP5M-1 which, when ordered into production, was given the name Marlin. The modified hull of the XP5M-1 incorporated radar-directed nose and tail turrets, as well as a power-operated dorsal turret, and power was provided by two 2424kW Wright R-3350 radial engines. This prototype flew for the first time on 30 May 1948, but it was not until two years later that the P5M-1 was ordered into production, the first of these series aircraft being flown on 22 June 1951. Initial deliveries, to US Navy Squadron VP-44, began on 23 April 1952 and the type remained in service until the mid-1960s. In addition to those operated by the US Navy, 10 of the later P5M-2 version were supplied to France under the American MAP for use by the Aeronavale.
MODEL | P5M |
CREW | 11 |
ENGINE | 2 x Wright R-3350-32WA Turbo-Compound, 2573kW |
WEIGHTS |
Take-off weight | 38555 kg | 85000 lb |
Empty weight | 22900 kg | 50486 lb |
DIMENSIONS |
Wingspan | 36.02 m | 118 ft 2 in |
Length | 30.66 m | 101 ft 7 in |
Wing area | 130.62 m2 | 1405.98 sq ft |
PERFORMANCE |
Max. speed | 404 km/h | 251 mph |
Ceiling | 7300 m | 23950 ft |
Range | 3300 km | 2051 miles |
ARMAMENT | 3600kg of weapons |
Jerry Avallone, e-mail, 01.06.2008 02:41 I served in VP47 out of NAS Alameda in 1958-59. Flew as plane captain and had a ball. Great crew and squadron. reply | Fred Davis, e-mail, 29.05.2008 20:11 Served in VP-48 1957 to 1961 out of NAS Noris and Iwakuni, Japan. Aircraft Maintenance Logs and Records Yeoman. AE working out of Rate, But did fly as Secend AE or as Observer.
Great Aircraft. We flew both P5M-1s and P5M-2s. Couldn't ask for a better bunch of people. Last P5M-2 in existance is at The Naval Air Museum in Pensacola reply | Jim Medley, e-mail, 27.05.2008 03:25 Worked on P5M 1963 VP49 NS Bermuda as AE3. Never went to Gitmo did you? reply | Jim Kellner, 06.05.2008 05:51 The vpnavy website has a wealth of information on the seaplanes and the men who flew in them. I was in crew 8 of VP-40 out of San Diego'64 to '66. reply |
| pete steelman, e-mail, 22.04.2008 19:28 hi---i was a radar-radioman in VP-42 out of San Diego, from 1960-1962. my old crew, Crew 3, was presnted with the last P5M-2 (with HIGH horizontal stabilizer) that was made, in 1961. we made a far-east cruise to the Philippines and Japan that year, and in Sept. 1962 (after i had been transferred to China Lake) the plane /crew was lost in a crash in Alaska. reply | John Dober, e-mail, 27.05.2007 16:17 I'm looking for my father's plane .. he flew in PB Martin patrol bomber 1940 vintage plane from WWII Rescue Squandrant 3 with gull wings and pontoons end of wings. Do you know where a museum is that has this plane? Please email me at klm@salsgiver.com reply |
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