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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 |
| David Pope, e-mail, 23.11.2022 20:48 I was an AT in VP-46 from late 1958-1961. I joined the squadron in August 1958 at Sangley Point Philippines for 6 months. I was a member of the night crew and later a flight crew member of Crew 5 on the P5M. In 1961, I was transitioned to the P2V Neptune in 1961 where I continued as a flight crew member. On both aircraft. I was the radar operator and backup radioman. Our P5M lost an engine returning from R&R and we jettisoned most of the equipment to lighten our load. We were able to keep our personal effects once we leveled out at about 100 ft off the water for 3 hours to return to Sangley. I have a few photos. If interested contact me. tabsgran2@gmail.com reply |
| Ron Jackman, e-mail, 21.06.2022 01:55 Re "beaching" a P5M. After the flight crew catches the buoy, a "line handing" boat takes a heavy Manila line to hook on the stern. A "wader" replaces the line w /a cable. The boat takes the 2 float mounted main gear out to either side of the seaplane to be hooked to the plane by the flight crew. After the wader helps a crew member hook on the tail gear, the P5M is pulled up the ramp tail first by a heavy tractor. After a "complete" fresh water wash down, the plane /boat is moved to a parking spot. reply |
| Ron Jackman, e-mail, 21.06.2022 00:31 Got to VP50 at Whitby Island. 1959. Went to N Island (comp cleaning) during J J inst. On to Iwakuni for beach crew. (Cmd Koenig.) Was in Iwakuni during Cuban crisis. Flew with flight crews whenever I could. Back to N Island in 62-63 to VP31. Discharged. Flew 2 yrs out of Los Alamitos on P2V's. Anyone out there still kicking around? reply | | Ken Walling, e-mail, 13.03.2018 23:45 Radioman in VP-49 1962 to 1964. Flew with a number of crews. Went single engine twice on consecutive Fridays while flying out of Gitmo during the missile crisis. Transitioned with VP-49 to P-3s at Pax River. (Became a PPC with VP-23 in Brunswick. The Second Tech in VP-49 became my Tech when I was PPC.) reply |
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| | Tom Hale, e-mail, 11.03.2018 22:57 Hi guys. Checked into VP-48 in February 1960. Went mess cooking for three months. Then went to help decommission FASRON 110 in the VP Hanger. Went back to the Squadron in August 1960 and started flying as ECM /Julie operator, sat starboard lookout on take offs and landings. Got my A /C wings a year later. Made AE3 and AE2 there and got out in March 1963. Was on the test crew that bought off on the Singer Link P5M-2 trainer made by ACF ( American Car and Foundry) in Baltimore. LCDR Waller, Bud Webb, Ed Casey, to name a few of the other folks. Came back in in May of 1963 and was sent to VS-21 after training in Sept 1963 aboard the USS Kearsarge. Made two more cruises on the Kearsarge in 64 and 66. Did a short tour in Yuma, 66 and 67 and terminated my shore duty and went to VS-38 in Nov. 1967. Was picked up to be on the S-3A FIT (Fleet Introduction Team) in August 1971. Spent the next three and a half years until April 1975 when I made Warrant Officer. Shipped out on the Kitty Hawk cruise and returned from Westpac in Dec. 1975. Put the Hawk through the Puget Sound Ship Yard for a 13 month Overhaul from March 76 to April 1 77. I transferred to the NORIS ASWOC on that date and retired from ther in August 1978.
My email is: navytom@goldenvalleycable.com reply | | larry r. mickle, e-mail, 06.06.2017 01:51 I was a radio operator on C-12 in VP-44 stationed at Norfolk 55-57. I was shipmates to the crew that was lost in the Azores in 56 and attended their base funeral. I could fill a book with the details of the hundreds of flying hours in the P5M-2's. We were short radio operators and flew on more than one crew. I did not recall any survivors from the Azores crash. They fired the JATO and a wave forced the nose under, and she went on down. Finished my career in the Air Force and retired with 23 yrs in Jun 78. reply | | Britt Burton, e-mail, 30.12.2016 18:29 Rick Dombrowski,can you contact me? I am the son of ENS Burt Burton, one who died in the 2 Aug 1962 VP-40 P5M crash out of Sangley Point. CDR Vegelahn was pilot, my dad was aboard that aircraft. reply | | Bill Bethard AE-2, e-mail, 31.10.2016 04:53 I was attached to VP-46 from Jan 1960 to August 1961, while the attached to VP-46 they were flying The Martin P5M-1 until made we made the transition to the Neptune Aviation's P2V. Never made it into a fliht crew ut did electrical maintenance, and worked in the engine build shop fo a few month. I was relesed from active duty just before President Kennedy extended everyone due to the Cuban Mistle Situation. I olny remember the name of one other sqyadron member whose name was Jim Turley, AM-4 reply | | Bruce, e-mail, 23.07.2016 15:04 To; AWCS ken Stephenson - I am a Naval Aviation Historian and can help you with information on the VP-50 SG13 crash in 1967. Please contact me - my contact information can be found on my website at www vpmma org or on linkedin. reply | | Rick Dombrowski, e-mail, 02.04.2016 23:55 To Bill Clarke's comment: No, I was never bald and in fact, still have a head of hair at 82 years of age. Thanks for asking.... reply | | AWCS ken stephenson, e-mail, 06.03.2016 21:53 Looking for any info on crash of SG13 off sangley in jan 1967. Wife of only two info has questions.
fair winds AWCS reply | | Carl Klinger, e-mail, 01.01.2016 05:08 I was the radioman on the P5M that crashed on takeoff in the Azores on 11 /11 /1956 and as of this date am the only living crewman from that crew. Am especially interested in contacting Jerry Neves who lived in the Azores when the crash occurred and has some pictures he is willing to share and I would greatly appreciate having. Would appreciate any input as to Jerry Neves whereabouts or contact info. reply |
| Marlin Martin, e-mail, 31.12.2015 14:43 Martin My Dad, same name, served at Iwakuni in 1958. Who built this plane? reply | | Jerry H. Neves, e-mail, 26.11.2015 01:08 Hello. I am originally from the Azores Islands, born in Faial island. Came to Ca in 1957. I recall a Martin P5M Marlin crashing on takeoff outside the arbor in Faial. On November 11, 1956.This aircraft had the T tail. It was in Azores along with several other planes and the USS Currituck, AV7. Never forgot witnessing that crash which William Johnson refers to,above. I was 17 at the time. Have photos of the Martin P5Ms in the harbor at Faial that I can email to anyone who might have been crewman of these planes. Regards to all,Jerry reply | |
| | Carl Stuart, e-mail, 10.07.2015 16:45 I was an AO3 stationed in Norfolk Va. Squadron VP44 from 1958 to 1961 In 1961 we received P3V which was a Plane that had to land on a runway instead of landing in the water I always enjoyed both planes but I like the P5M better because of the room and the view when looking out for other aircraft it wa a great experience reply | | Bill Clarke, e-mail, 01.07.2015 19:06 Hey Dombrowski were you bald at 19? reply | | Al Fowler, e-mail, 15.05.2015 01:12 How can I contact a commenter? reply | | Glen Pierce, e-mail, 07.05.2015 04:31 I have photos of my father's 1943, i believe, Pbm mariner RP-55 (navy). He was based at Banana River Florida. I can send the photo for you to decide what RP means. glen reply | | Bruce Barth, e-mail, 04.05.2015 03:05 Cheryl Wilson - I would love to help you with the book you are doing for your father. Please contact me - my contact information is on my website at www vpmma org reply | | Dan Eaton, e-mail, 25.04.2015 05:12 I was an AT with VP46 from 1957-1960. We rotated with three other squadrons every 6 months between North Island and Sangley Point in the Philippines (near Cavite). Besides working in the shop, I was the radio and MAD operator on boat 7. Mostly we flew patrols over the south china sea checking on shipping. When mainland China started shelling the offshore islands of Quemoy and Matsu, there was concern it could be the start of an invasion. At that time, we flew patrols over the Taiwan straights working off a seaplane tender at BoCoCo. In answer to one of your questions, the landing gear (can't remember what they were actually called) were only attached when a plane came back in so it could be towed back up a ramp to park. Then of course, they were removed just before taking off. The P5M was a true seaplane, not an amphibian. If you send me your e-mail, I can send you some pictures relating to this and other operations. reply |
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David Pope
David Pope
My brother, Carl Renn was killed in a P5M Marlin crash in Corpus Christi TX Dec 9, 1957. I have a plaque of his that says "Patrol Squadron 46". I'm wondering if you you might have any info to share. My understanding is he was stationed in San Diego, but was flying with a crew that was making a cross country trip. They had stopped to refuel in Tx and an engine caught fire shortly after take off and the plane went down.
Any further info you might have would be appreciated.
Thanks
Gary Renn
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