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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 |
| joe scarfi, e-mail, 10.02.2011 21:23 stationed in bermuda 57'to60.started out onbeaching crew then joined the crew of 9-boat in vp-45.harvey dubay,don robinson,turpac,vincent,those were good times.san juan,trinidad,rapahanic river,several other ops. reply | | John McCulloch, e-mail, 06.02.2011 06:14 I served in VP 42 from October 1956 to December 1958. We were based at North Island NAS and deployed to Sangley Point in the Philippines. We started with P5M-2 but traded with VP 40 and went to P5M-1, when head winds delayed VP 40 from relieving us at Sangley Point. Would like to hear from anyone that remembers. reply |
| Jerry Kamiya, e-mail, 02.02.2011 11:07 I flew in P5M's and P2V's out of Corpus Christi, TX from 1958 to 1962 with then ATU-501 Training Squadron. Flew many Nav Training flights all around the gulf coast to Panama, Puerto Rico, Gitmo Bay, Bahamas, Bermuda, Pensacola, Jacksonville, etc. I was 2nd Class P.O. Hydraulics and Sheetmetal. I took care of the hydraulics and sheetmetal work on the aircraft, plane number 52. My plane captain was Howard Klassy, P.O. 1st Class and an enlisted pilot and various other crew members, a couple names I remember, Roger Kopeman from Iowa, Dick Dippold, AZ, John Kinnamon, Jim Nalley,KY, John Dami, MA. Also flew as crewmember in P2V-2's and 3's in our squadron. I have many pleasurable memories of my time in Corpus Christi. I, and my buddy Dippold spent our entire 4 year naval careers in Corpus Christi, TX. that is after our intial schooling in Okla. and Memphis, Tn. Also we were two of a very vew that have never been on a Navy Ship. reply | | Bob Groeneveld, e-mail, 01.02.2011 02:51 As a PBM5 pilot with VP-45 at Coco Solo,Panama 1952-1953 moving to Guantanamo AF reply | |
| | MIKE TESTA, e-mail, 29.01.2011 14:10 My father TONY TESTA flew PBM and P5Ms in panama in 1953 and 54.Tonight at 12:00 he passed away.
Just wanted you all to know how much he respected you all.From the men on the ramps to the crews who flew.He loved you all.God bless you all. His son mike reply | | Jerry Strickland, e-mail, 29.01.2011 05:41 Crewmember of Woodpecker 9, VP-49, BDA from mid 61-late 63. Flew with Lcdr Chesley, Lt Larzalere, Ensign Benson, PC Binaka, PC 'Smackover' Spain, Bob 'T-Bird' Funderburg, Martin 'Marlboro Man' Conn, Zalek the radioman, Eppy Pruett, and a bunch of other really great guys. I retired after 34 yrs as an air traffic controller in Houston Tx in 2002. reply |
| Jack R Courtney, e-mail, 20.01.2011 02:42 I worked on the tail turrett of the P5M in 1954
my last months in the Navy. I was in FASRON 110,
Ordnanceman 3rd Class. I remember the problems with
the on board APU. reply | | CWO4 Ed Munroe USN Ret, e-mail, 18.01.2011 17:48 Served on the USS Currituck (Seaplane Tender) from recommissioning in Philly untill April of 1962. I was an AE-2 /DV and worked in the Aviation Electrical shop. Serviced P5M from Norfolk , Gitmo, San Diago,Japan,Okinawa home port,the Philippines,and back to North Island. What a tour for a single young man never stayed long in one place. reply | | Manning Bomberger, e-mail, 14.01.2011 07:20 I was an AT2 radar /radio operator in crew 11 of VP-46 from 1953-1956 out of San Diego (North Island) and Sangley Point in the Phillipines. Some very interesting flights but a very good plane from my point of view.
Manning reply |
| Mark Thurm, e-mail, 01.01.2011 02:15 I flew on a P5M-2 with VP-49 in Bermuda. I was there from 4-60 thru 4-63 and spent time in Gitmo during the missle crisis.I flew on crew #6 which was Commander Gayles plane when he chose to fly. My plane captain was Larry King,ordinance David Niana, and Radio Dusty Rhodes. I was an AT2 and first tech on the plane. What a great plane to fly on and Bermuda was fantastic.Any 49ers stationed during that time drop me an e-mail.
Mark Thurm reply |
| duane deckert, e-mail, 26.12.2010 19:01 I was stationed at Sangly Point,Fasron 119 in 1954-56.Flew in a VP-42 P5M TO Hong Kong for 4 days of R&R.What made this interesting is that on the landing approach there were sand pans in the sea lane!When we touched down the boats were between the pontoons and the hull!In addittion there were millions of coulees chipping away at a mountain and dumping the rock into the harbor.Today it is known as Kong Kong International Airport. reply | | Ray Buckles, e-mail, 23.12.2010 23:19 I was in VP 49 NOB Bermuda from 1 /61 thru 05 /63 AMS 2. Did several tours to Gitmo, since a lot of the brownbaggers were not able to go because of " Their their wife was pregnate and they couldn't gp, lol. I would like to hear from shipmates that were there at that time. Also was in Key West when someone put one on the seawall at night. You can emaik me at r.rebuck@att.net reply | | William Johnson, e-mail, 15.12.2010 19:29 To Alan T.: I flew with Thomas Ducharme on CC-12, VP 44 from 1953 to 12 /6 /1956. Lt. Cadieux was the PPC, and Ensign Todd was wthe navigator. Capt. (Commander) Burns was the C.O. of the squadron. Cdr. Burns replaced Cdr. William Laffey. Chief Buddy was the Leading Chief.
Camille: Yes I remeber the flight crew on CC-6. That crew consisted of Charlie Hoke, Plane Captain, (deceased- A /C accident in the Azores); B.C. Garrett, 1st Mech; Wing, as Radar & ECM operator. Chittick as ordnance; Lcdr Jeffrey was the PPC, Sometimes Lt(jg) Martin was PP2 and I beleive Ens. R. Proulx was the navigator. After you left in June 1954 I was transferred to CC-12 along with B.C. Garrett, Chittick and Ens. Proulx. 12 /15 /2010@12:26PM reply | | clifton todd, e-mail, 12.12.2010 05:57 I help launch and beach this plane at sangley point PI in 1950 for two years. we had a wonderful beaching crew, and had good liberty in cavety city P I. reply | |
| | Robert Gosnell, e-mail, 11.12.2010 03:46 Both of these P5M-1 photos are of VP-46 aircraft. I served with VP-46 as power panel /radio operator and alternate ECM operator from OCT 1959 through 1960 at NAS North Island, San Diego, California. I asked to be relieved of flight duty in 1961 and was transferred TAD to VP-31 and worked on COM, NAV, and ECM gear. VP-46 is now flying the Lockheed P-3C Orions out of NAS Whidbey Island Washington...along with VP-1 and VP-40. reply |
| Jeff Guttenberger, e-mail, 09.12.2010 05:12 I was assigned to VP50 at Iwakuni Japan 1961-63, and served as a tech in crew 2. Launching and recovering the
40 ton "boats" was quite a chore. Pre dawn JATO takoffs were very impressive. To answer Joe Sommer's question the
aircraft were probable Shin Meiwa US-1A rescue planes. reply | | john D. Henry, USMC, Retired, e-mail, 30.11.2010 22:05 I was a young Marine PFC and LCpl stationed at Marine Barracks, Sangley Point, Luzon, Philippines, from Dec59-July 1961. I was fascinated with the P5Ms that belonged to VP-5 I think was the squadron stationed there at Sangley. Use to watch them take off in the bay using JATO. It was interesting to see the crews float the wheels on and off. I remember alot of the crews telling me about the long missions and how reliable the plane was. That was a long time ago when the liberty in Cavite City was truly unbelievable. reply | | Gene DiGennaro, e-mail, 24.11.2010 03:05 During Aug. 1960 as an AT-3 I joined VP-44 at NAS Norfolk [ Breeze Point]. I was overwhelemed by the P5M-1's and 2's
of VP-44. I was assigned to the electronics shop as a TACAN
and ARC-38 tech. Within a month I was asked if I was interested inbecoming a flight crewmember. I joined Crew 6. reply | | R.C. STOUT, USCG (RET), e-mail, 14.11.2010 00:44 While stationed at the Coast Guard Air Station, St.Pete from 59 thru 62, I was the Plane Captain and Flt. Eng. on the 1320 boat, a P5M-2G. My most memorable flt. was when we were going on a search off the coast of So. Carolina. We had the Tokyo tanks in the bomb bays and was so heavy with fuel that our first two tries at getting off the water didn't work. We had the crash boat, a 40 footer, make several circles in the area of our lift off so as to break up the surface and this helped break the suction on the hull caused by the smoothness of the bay. It worked and after we got airborne we still were so heavy we couldn't climb over 1000'. ATC made us fly up the Gulf coast to the Cross City area before we were cleared to crossover Fla. to the east coast and on to our search area. We were airborne for over an hour at military power before we could reduce power to cruise. Talk about some hot engines and a flight that was so long we all needed a shave by the time we got back. Life is good!!! reply | | CHARLIE DUGAN, e-mail, 13.11.2010 17:47 Memories--of the 11-12 hour searches and 7-8 Open Sea
landings in Gulf of Mexico.USCG Air Sta. St.Pete,FL.1954
thru 1958.
ASMCM ret. (1980) reply |
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Jerry Strickland
John. Hope this finds you still kicking 10 years late. I was in VP-40 (crew 3) waiting for the winds to die down enough to transpac. It was really rough duty! All our equipment, spares and ground guys already in the PI. So we mustered every other day, preflighted, and went back to the barracks. It was hard I tell you. Finally we transpac'd by VR and took over your tired birds. But I loved every minute, still love the P-5's and even extended a year to get over there again since I was a kiddie cruiser and would run out of enlistment. Thank you for your service!!
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