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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 |
| john dellaquilla, e-mail, 21.11.2009 16:07 i was in vp 44 1951-54 flew in cc 12.great squadon & airplane reply | | NOEL FAUX, e-mail, 14.11.2009 22:02 WAS PART OF VP46 OUT OF SAN DIEGO IN 1952 /56
WENT TO SANGLY POINT AND MARRIED IN CAVETTE CITY TO MY BRIDE OF 43 YEARS. SHE HAS SINCE PASSED AWAY, BUT I'M STILL GOING. OH BY THE WAY SHE AND I OWNED A LITTLE BAR IN CAVITTE CALLED LITTLE LU LU'S. ANY OF YOU REMEMBER PLS GET IN TOUCH reply | | Clarence F. Howard, e-mail, 30.10.2009 19:50 I was in VP-40 and flew as 1st radio operator, my first transpac was in 1959, we had an engine change in midway (land of the Gooney birds. We were the last aircraft to make it to Sanley Pt. On this flight I was 2nd radio. Made quite a flights over 3 tours with this outfit. reply | | JD Wade, e-mail, 08.10.2009 22:56 I flew out of Bermuda as a radio /radar operator from 1961-1964. I loved flying in it. Was on the exec's crew and he made sure were were flying on big inspection days. I left the Navy about three months after the squadron moved to Jacksonville and started flying P3's. I was fortunate to be a crew member on both airplanes. reply | |
| | Kenneth G. Wotring, e-mail, 08.10.2009 03:32 Was with VP-40 NAS North Island 65-68. We deployed to NAS Sangley Point,Phillipines. Our aircraft where SP5Bs. reply | | wilson hampton, e-mail, 26.09.2009 07:19 Nice to be able to read all this. I was at NOB Bermuda 62-63; 64-68. VP 49. The P5M2 was the first military bird I flew in. We rotated deploying to Cuba with VP 45 I think it was---Remember the Kennedy blockade days? Gitmo ain't what it used to be. I loved flying in the P5. Big, spacious, roomy. And to think, some thought it was too big to fly on 2 engines. reply | | bill pandolf, e-mail, 22.06.2009 19:27 I flew as radio operator and electricians mate on LQ4? in patrol squadron VP56...out of Norfolk from around 1959-60---after which the plane was replaced by the P2V Neptune. I loved the flying boat...but it was hell attaching those wheels to the boat in the choppy, freezing waters of the bay ! reply | | Ernie Carlson, e-mail, 31.05.2009 22:14 VP-46 San Diego - 4 transpacs to Sangley Point PI 1955-1958. P5M1's Tail # BD2, Radio and Radar tech (APS 44)- Looking for pic and stuff -- San Diego had VP46,VP40 and VP42 (I believe) in San Diego rotating to the PI. Have had no contact with former crew members, unfortunately. I am still in San Diego. reply |
| Patrick Gilfillen, e-mail, 28.05.2009 08:33 Was at whidbey w /brother Bill 62-64,great A /C.like the trips to cold bay.whet to H-34's penscola,what a change.
miss the good times on the SP5B's.never got in a P3.hope they around longer.VP47 was the sgd.P2V's were nas whidbey. reply | | TERRY MABRY, e-mail, 22.04.2009 18:09 I FLEW WITH VP 40 OUT OF SAN DIEGO 1959 TO THE P.I. WITHTHE BEST GROUP FIENDS THAT I WVER NEW. reply | | Pat Hense, e-mail, 14.02.2009 07:27 I flew in p5s 1960to63 in VP-31 great aircraft with great crews!!!! reply | | Wayne Hoover, e-mail, 31.01.2009 06:23 I was in VP-44 at Norfolk from 1 /57 to 12 /59. Most time as 1st tech on "3-boat" P5M-2, but started as tech on 8-boat P5M-1. Many fine times -- couple weeks in San Juan each year for bombing /mining runs on "Rosey Rhoads", unattended trips to Virgin Is testing the "Julie" ASW concept, So. coast of Puerto Rico to experiment with a submarine as a seaplane fueler,later test with LSD as a tender, SAR mission out of Gitmo, couple cross-country trips to Corpus Christy to take NROTC summer campers on rocket-firing rides, 3 open-sea emergency landings with loooong 1-engine taxis and tows. Oh so many other things, with lots of diversions from the regular stuff. Ended up with about 1200 hrs. Perhaps the most fun continuous 3 years of my life. (Might have been partly because I arrived there with my brand spankin' new bride.) reply | | Angela Patterson, e-mail, 01.01.2009 06:06 My father was a radar-radioman on a P5M '57-'59 out of Norfolk. His name is Paul Lee. I would love to hear from anyone who may have known him and I know he would like to hear from you as well. reply | | george phillips, e-mail, 22.11.2008 04:12 was stationed at white beach okinawa in 62 to late 63 i believe in mid 63 we woke up one morning to see a p5-m with one wing and engine underwater spent most of the day aiding the crew of i think it was the curituck moving it over to the ship,we did save it ended up getting orders to the sallysound av-13,in late oct of same year got to go to singapore then treasure island for discharge didnt have a job to do except underway life boat eng as i didnt have time left to teach--sort of a pleasure cruise reply | |
| | Frank Kennedy, e-mail, 06.11.2008 23:21 I was in vp45 from 1960 to 1962 and was in gitmo. the P5M-2 was a fine plane and i really miss the guys i served with. reply | | Ben Thurston, e-mail, 18.08.2008 19:55 I flew as Radio Operator on the last operational flight from the East Coast on an SP5B aircraft; round robin from Navy Jacksonville FL (VP-30) to Trinidad (open sea landing) crew rest then back to NIP. Afterwards, all the SP5B aircraft were transferred to the South China Sea for operations during the war in Vietnam. reply | | Fritz Bott, e-mail, 14.08.2008 21:26 I was in VP-42 1956-58, stationed at North Island, deployed to the P.I. for 8 months 57-58 and really enjoyed it all. We had the T tails (P5M-2) but had to leave them at Sangley Point when strong prevailing westerly winds prevented VP-46 from getting to Pearl and timely relieving us. i reply | | Thomas Crosby, e-mail, 14.08.2008 05:59 I was in the Navy in squadron VU-2 at operation Spring Board NAS Puerto Rico in Dec 1959 to Apr 1960 when a squadron of P5M Marlins landed in the bay. I have some old 8mm movies of them landing and taking off. I though that they were oh so graceful. I never did get the squadron number. I was a AMH-2 and we flew JD'S ( A-26 ) reply | | Frank J. Natoli, e-mail, 23.06.2008 05:48 I was in VP-44 from June 1952 to January 1954, NAS Norfolk, the P5M-1, what a beautiful aircraft. Thank you for the information. reply | | Chuck Groves, e-mail, 10.06.2008 06:21 Ah... what memories! I served on the USS Currituck (AV-7) as a SM, for over 6 years (1960-66) we were one of only 3 Seaplane Tenders (Large) left. Spent many a day in Buckner Bay, Okinawa gazing at the P5M's out at their moorings. reply |
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hey Ernie, I transpaced to Sangley in 58. Sent to give Chicoms pause when they threatened to invade Formosa in 58. Was 1st radioman on the P5. Would love to hear from you: 949 939-0470.
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