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| 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 |
| Sean McGarrigle, e-mail, 03.02.2013 07:37 My father LCDR Donald R McGarrigle was the last person to fly this plane. He flew it to the museum in Pensacola. This was the most favorite plane he ever flew. I use to live in Florida and drove to the museum to ask them if they would put his name back on it after it was repainted and restored but they would not. reply | | Jackie Lai, e-mail, 15.01.2013 08:28 My Dad, John, served in VP46 from 1951-1953. His crew was BD and I believe it was BD5 (Baker Dog). He's 80 now and he still tells me stories of his time on the PBM5 with such fondness. Would love to hear from anyone that was part of his crew and get you guys connected! reply | | John Lenhart, e-mail, 11.11.2012 06:03 I was a white striper RM and flew with VP40 '58-59' out of Sangley, loved it! The "greenie's" didn't like me too much but we were a crew and stood for each other. reply | | Charles Nave, e-mail, 01.10.2012 04:28 I was a member of VP40 1953 /1954 and flew as 2nd radioman in crew no.11. Had many wonderful days with that squadron and had the pleasure of making friends with so many super Navy airman. I would love to hear from anyone that I may have served with. reply | |
| | Dave Thomas, e-mail, 11.09.2012 00:18 PC Crew 5 VP-47 Great A /C T tail was just to high think they changed to another model number but can't remember What it was SB5D I think
61to64 reply | | Ken Gold, e-mail, 26.08.2012 04:41 I am putting together a history of VP-45 and all of the aircraft we flew, from the PBY and, soon, the P-8. Send me an idea of your experiences in our squadron and maybe I can include your story in the book. Any and all help will be most appreciated and acknowledged in the book. reply | | ARLEIGH STALEY, e-mail, 19.07.2012 19:29 I WAS A FIRST MECH ON 3 OR 4 BOATS IN VP 44 FROM 1955 TO 1957. WENT TO SAN JUAN, BERMUTA, CUBA, PANAMA FLORDIA WHEN WE WORKED WITH REFUELING OFF A SUB & LOTS OF FLIGHTS LOOKING FOR & OPERATEING WITH SUBS. JUST LOVED THE JATO TAKEOFFS & THE NITES ABOARD THE PLANE ANCHORED OUT WHEN IN SAN JUAN. MOVED ON TO A NAVEL AIR BASE IN HUTCHINSON, KANSAS.CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT. reply | | Bill Stupka, e-mail, 19.07.2012 03:36 Served as an AT in VP-44 at Norfolk during 1953-56. Crewed 1st and 2nd Tech on CC-7, 9 and 10. Many memories good and not so good. 10 hour flights at night chasing subs (our own), war games out of San Juan in the winter, the USS Currituck, getting struck by lightning on the way to San Juan (wiped out the MAD), hear our homing torpedo hit the sub during the games, hearing VP-56's P5 hit the seawall in Norfolk in the middle of the night (very bad), smell of steaks grilling in the galley, Med cruise in 1954, the great P5M seaplane, all those hours in a flight suit, all the shipmates and crewmates, many whose name I can't remember...and on and on. What memories! What a time.
If any of you are looking for pictures of those days most of my stuff is on the VP-44 website. Mostly in the Photos /P5M section. Also posted the 1954 Med Cruise Book, 1956 Squadron Book plus photos of VP-44 Memories, photos of the '54 Med Cruise, the last P5M (Pensacola). It is all at vp44goldenpelicans.com. Go Navy. reply | | Robert W. Crawford AM1, e-mail, 19.07.2012 02:01 I was the only metalsmith that served was as plane captain in the early '60s in VP-48 North Island. Got out on a medical in '63. Never forget those days. Madson was the skipper. Got out and was denied all benefits except VA reply | | Charles E. Price, e-mail, 10.07.2012 20:12 Aircrewman with VP-47 1950-53 BA-8. reply | | James Kirby, e-mail, 08.07.2012 05:00 Served with VP-42 out of North Island 60-62. Was a AT with crew 8 and 9. Lost a few friends with the crews in Alaska and off the coast of California. When dischared they were starting to replace the Martins with P3V's. Have visited the last P5M I know of at the museum in Pensacola sure brings back a lot of memories. reply | | Ken Gold, e-mail, 27.05.2012 08:32 How sad it is for all of us seaplane aficionados that the beautiful high-performance P6M from Martin just never made it through initial test flights. It was truly a beautiful airplane...but so were the Marlin and the Mariner, right? reply | | dave robson, e-mail, 26.03.2012 04:51 I was electrician on 6 boat vp-49 59-61 nob bermuda, the best time of my life reply | | Rodney Runck, e-mail, 13.02.2012 00:39 I served in VP-45 in Bermuda from 11 /56 to 11 /58 as an AT on crew 1 and crew 10. Went to Operation Springboard in Puerto Rico in '57 and '58 once on the Currituck and the second time on the Albamarle. Was in Gitmo on LN-10 in '58 on the Currituck when there was talk then of decommissioning her.
We lost the starboard engine on LN-10 300 mi. from Norfolk. Our P5M-2 could not maintain altitude on one engine without jettisoning most fuel and all electronic equipment except for an ARC-27 radio for communications. reply | |
| | T Hanley, e-mail, 28.01.2012 00:52 I would like to talk to Ron Harrison, as I was in VP 49 NAS bermuda on EA3 54 56. reply | | Ron Harrison, e-mail, 03.01.2012 15:04 VP-49, NOB Bermuda, 3-54 to 9-55. Flew as radioman on EA-6 for several months. I love to hear civilians talk about the dangers of the Bermuda Triangle. That was the greatest flying and the greatest duty in the world. I only regret never getting a 2nd assignment to VP-49. reply | | Richard Hart, e-mail, 29.12.2011 16:17 I served aboard the USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) from 1959-1965. The Sally crew developed a process of refueling and crew changes astern the Sally without sending out boats to do the job which saved many transient man hours. I had the privilege of going on one patrol off Vietnam as an observer. My shipboard observations of the Marlin that it was a fine aircraft were brought home on that flight. I would have been proud to serve as crew. I first saw the P5M-2 from my barracks window while in basic training San Diego, little knowing I would be a part of a truly magnificent aircraft. While the Sally was home ported at NAS Alameda I saw the final disastrous flight attempt of the R3Y "Tradewind"; It beaching gear became a floating platform for the Marlin until a trial attempt to dock at San Diego resulted in a punctured hull and a cancellation of the project. As a result, the Sally became the only Naval Vessel with a "trailer hitch." The hitch was used to tether the platform to the ship! With 5 years experience servicing this fine aircraft and outstanding, dedicated crews of VP 40 /50. I have a lot of "Sea Stories" to share. I salute all who crewed the Martin Seaplanes. reply | | Charlie Dugan, e-mail, 16.11.2011 17:35 Flew in the -1 and -2 P5M. In the Mid-50s at the USCG
Air Sta. St. Pete. Fl. Made 7-8 Open Sea landings for
Med-Evacs in the GULF. Many 10-=12 Hr search flights.
A tough old bird... reply | | Harry Belflower, e-mail, 15.11.2011 21:02 I served as PC of Nine Boat 1954-1956 in VP-46 at Sandiego including a deployment to Sangley Poiny, P.I. My airplane was BuNo 124913 and possibly the oldest P5M-1 in service. My crew and I ahd a good time with her and made the one R&R trip to Hong Kong at Xmas 1955. I still miss the old gal and the guys. reply | | Allan T, e-mail, 09.11.2011 23:01 VP-44 Do any of you have any insignia or patches that you could photograph and share? Photos of flight suits would be so great to see? Thanks so much. reply |
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