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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 |
| Len Wilkie, e-mail, 30.07.2010 19:05 As an Airman in VT-31,NAS Corpus Christi,TX. 1962-1964. We were trainng new pilots in multi-engine aircraft. P5's and P2's. Had some interesting landings when power was cut to early and we merrily bounced across Corpus Christi Bay, as an AN I had to pump out the bilge after most flights.
I flew as a panel operator on the P% and radioman on the P2. Loved the comfort on the P5 and the flight rats(steaks etc). I worked with AE2 Leftwich aand Chief Groves. Great electricians. I left ther and went to VF-84 abord the USS Independence. After that I joined the reserves and retired as AEC in VP-93 as the Maintenance Control Chief.
The Navy was a great life and I encourage young people to experience what all of us did;friends,a little excitement and free travel all over the world. reply | | Stuart Holmes (RAF Rtd), e-mail, 12.08.2010 21:45 I served in a RAF Sunderland squadron out of IWAKUNI, Japan between 1951 and 1954 under opcon FAW6 USN during the Korean War. The USN had PB4Y2s, P2Vs and PBMs in the wing but I am convinced that I saw some P5Ms, either at Iwakuni or at NAS Sangley Point in 1954. All the infromation I can find on the Web says the P5M was too late for the Korean War but, as I returned to the UK in late 1954 where might I have seen a Marlin - it was the taiing backward to pick up a missed buoy which made me remember it: the PBM couldn't do that!
Any information, chaps? reply | | Tom Trufant, e-mail, 07.06.2010 23:43 Flew in VP-40 fm 1958 until 1961, transpac'd to Sangley Point Rp and spent most of the time there. Was in crew 4 and 1, maybe more, don't recall. Flew 2nd radio, then 1st radio, and Jezebel. Remember the fire in Cavitie City, the banka boat inciden t( was on the same deployment as Dave Bishton above) and most of the other things he remembered. Stayed in VPs for 20 years and retired as an AWCS. Loved it. reply |
| Ronnie DeStio, e-mail, 05.06.2010 23:55 P5M1and2 GREAT PLANES Worked and flew on them.Was 2nd mech and then plane capt.Great times 1957 to 1960 VP48 NAS North island reply | |
| | John Ham, AT2, e-mail, 05.06.2010 23:13 Flew out of North Island NAS in Sam Diego in 1960, 1961, and for three months in 1962. Was with VP-48 in P5M-2S's as J /J primary and MAD /RAD relief. Great duty playing tag with our submariner mates! Our patrol area was a racetrack from the Santa Catalina Islands to Guadalupe Island off of Baja. Once a year they let us play with the USS Pine Island seaplane tender off of Catalina.
Was at North Island when the USS Kitty Hawk made her first visit to that port. What a great looking ship! reply | | Rudy Shappee, e-mail, 05.06.2010 21:54 Hi, Fred. I also served in VP 48 from 1958 to 60 as an AEAN to AE2. Was relief crewman operating ECM and observer. Was kicked out of the galley by aircraft commander after I made my first pot of coffee! He made the Ordie cook after that. Loved the old bird and the sounds of her twin engines purring me to sleep when I caught a catnap on the walkway in the Electronics compartment. We had a lot of fun pulling pranks on one another on those long training hops out of San Diego. Crew in after station all got into our parachutes and were gathered at the door, then woke up sleeping second mech who about jumped out of his skin. Had a navigator who got so airsick that he had to take a box of crackers on every hop and his charts would get wet from his tears. Great deployment to Iwakuni, where we plotted radar sites along the coast of China. I was a s--- Hot ECM operator and got picked up as AX, then AW. Retired after 20 asCWO-2. Had a great career! Now Exhibits manager at USS Midway Museum in San Diego, and can look across the harbor at our old hangars every day. reply | | John Ferguson, e-mail, 05.06.2010 19:23 I was an AMH-2 in VP-48, Crew four from 1963 to 1963 at NASNI. We came back from a patrol one night and LCDR Whooley decided to shoot touch and go's. After several of those at about 0300 on final, number one engine decided to say I've had enough and let go right over the Coronado ferry. I heard the next day that the people on the ferry thought it was all over and were ready to abandon ship. I haven't had any contact with my crew since I transfered to NATTC Memphis to attend AMH-B school in 1962. Does any one know the where abouts of ADR-1 Landry, AE-2 Jim Davis or AT-2 Jim Mills? reply | | Frank Brauchle, e-mail, 31.05.2010 10:02 To Bill Sepuch, The tender was the Albermarle AV 5.
Now for the big question. What kind of aircraft made the
longest taxi in history.
P5M in the Caribean. 1959. That plane taxied for over 500 mi. Albermarle escorted. I remember taking coffee and chow
out to the crew. Jeeze that was a great cruise. reply | | Don Safer, e-mail, 22.08.2010 09:48 Hi Stuart,
The Korean War Armistice was July 27, 1953 so you may well have seen the first P5Ms, arriving too late for the war.
wwwdotdonsaferdotcom reply | | RL Brant, e-mail, 27.05.2010 02:33 I was in VP-46 57-60 flying with crew 10 as second mech. Made the transpac to Sangley Pt. in 58. Our plane captain was K.R. Jackson and our PPC was LCDR Lenson. I really enjoyed my tour and flying in the P-5 (great aircrat). Would really like to hear from anyone that was in the squadron. reply |
| mike testa, e-mail, 11.05.2010 13:52 MY fathers name is Tony Testa.He was in VP45 in Panama in 1954 and 55 flying PBM and P5M. Also I was born there in colon.Then Keywest in hilos and instructed primary in Pencecola.Retired Capt U.A.L. I know he misses the boats and the men he served with in Panama as he always mentions it as we walk everyday.Anyway God bless you all,thanks for your service, And GO NAVY.
navy reply | | Don Safer, e-mail, 05.05.2010 22:24 I was in VT-31 at Corpus Christi December of '62 until May '63 right out of boot camp as an AA. I was waiting my my turn to attend avionics A school at Milington. I got to jump in the bay to launch and beach P-5As and Bs as well as wash them. It was a long way down from the wings when beached so we had to use safety lines.
Good times. More at www dot donsafer dot com. reply | | ECPainter, e-mail, 01.05.2010 08:13 I found out a couple of weeks ago who backed a truck into VP-44's C-9 aircraft and punched a hole in the plane just below the water line.If I ever knew who drove the truck I had forgotten. I helped AM2 St John patch the plane and he did a great job. I left the squadron December 1953. I have been in touch from time to time with Sam Travis who was also in VP44. He is now a retired math professor and probably plays a lot of golf. I became a Treasury Enforcement Agent,was seriously injured in a gunbattle in 1973. reply | | gerald smith, e-mail, 17.04.2010 17:59 VP-50 sept 1957 to Apr l962. SG-9 Ordnanceman (135491) Blue Dragon Squadron out of Whidbey Island (57 to 60) then (59 to 62) MCAF Iwakuni, Japan. PPC LT W.S.Anderson, PC Bill Young; Lost three engines(all on the same side) Rode Pine Island back from PoHang, Korea to Buckner Bay, Okinawa. please contact me. reply | |
| | John Kappel, e-mail, 08.04.2010 21:14 I am John Kappel and I was AO-2 in VP-50 in 1964. Looking for any old mates. Flew in operation Market Time over Viet Nam. reply | | John McCulloch, e-mail, 04.04.2010 05:32 I was in VP-42 with Fritz Bott, see above. As he said, we could not be relieved by VP-40, due to head winds, so we traded aircraft and went back to the States in a transport. How humiliating. reply | | Gene Olson, e-mail, 31.03.2010 19:02 After A & B school I was fortunate to serve in VP 46 at North Island from 1959 till my discharge in 1962. SCPO AT - first radioman for my last 18 months on #12 Boat - really enjoyed my duty... Many found memories and some pretty scary ones as well; unfortunately I have not kept in contact with anyone from my time with VP46 except Boyd Simonson and would appreciate hearing from any that might read this. Olie reply | | Boyd L. Simonson, e-mail, 31.03.2010 17:30 I was radioman /Julie-Jezebel operator in VP-46 (RC-5,RC-8)1959-61, out of NASNI, San Diego. (I flew with Marian Bruce in RC-8, whose comment is above.) The P5M was as beautiful an aircraft that ever caressed the seas. reply | | John Pendleton, e-mail, 25.03.2010 15:41 VP 50 (San Diego, Iwaukni, P.I. Camron Bay Viet Nam) flew in crew 5 with Bill Farrell as PPC. This was in the mid '60's. I'd love to hear from any of my old crew and squadron members. This was one tough air plane and my memories of it are vivid. I have lots of picures. reply | | Ed Giboney, e-mail, 18.03.2010 20:44 I was in VP47 fromm Sept. 1962 to Jan. 1965, flew as radio /panel in crew 6. Wish there was still one in flying condition. reply |
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RL Brant
Well Tom, I was in VP-40 the same as you, I flew in a few crews also...was in crew-4 when Hite landed at sea on the SAR mission when the civilian airliner when down. I stayed in the Navy and retired as ATC. That was a long time ago, and yes I do remember you from then. Do you remember me?
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