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| The XPBM-1 prototype flying-boat patrol bomber was originally ordered by the US Navy in 1936. Before it was built, a quarter-size prototype (Model 162A) was constructed and flown. The full-size aircraft was flown for the first time in February 1939.
The production PBM-1 - fitted with two 1,192 kW Wright R-2600-6 radial engines, a dihedral tail and retractable wingtip floats - was ordered in 1938 and 20 of these went into Navy service in 1941. A single XPBM-2 was ordered at the same time as a long-range version specially strengthened for catapult take-off.
The PBM-3, with two 1,267kW Wright R-2600-12 engines, was ordered in quantity in 1940 and deliveries began in 1942. In this version the crew was increased from seven to nine, the armament was revised and the fuel capacity increased. The retractable wingtip floats of the PBM-1 were replaced by fixed floats. In 1942 the PBM-3 was adopted also as a naval transport carrying 20 passengers or 3,629-4,082kg of cargo (PBM-3R). Twenty-six PBM-3B patrol bombers were also used by RAF Coastal Command, delivered under Lend-Lease. At the end of the war a specialised anti-submarine version was also developed as the PBM-3S.
The final two production versions of the Mariner were the PBM-5 and PBM-5A, powered by 1,565kW R-2800-22 and R-2800-34 engines respectively. The last PBM-5A was delivered to the US Navy in April 1949. This version was basically an amphibious version of the PBM-5 and ended its career as a general utility aircraft.
| CREW | 7 |
| ENGINE | 2 x Wright A-5B, 1250kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 25400 kg | 55998 lb |
| Empty weight | 14660 kg | 32320 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 36.0 m | 118 ft 1 in |
| Length | 34.4 m | 113 ft 10 in |
| Height | 8.4 m | 28 ft 7 in |
| Wing area | 130.0 m2 | 1399.31 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 325 km/h | 202 mph |
| Cruise speed | 240 km/h | 149 mph |
| Ceiling | 6150 m | 20200 ft |
| ARMAMENT | 8 x 12.7mm machine-guns, 2000kg of bombs |
| Marvin Reed, e-mail, 17.11.2021 00:50 Was with VP-47 1952-1954... AT3 crewman on BA-10.. Pilot was Lt. Cdr Max L. Hoffines, a wonderful pilot.. would fly to hell and back with him. reply | | John A. Hardwick, e-mail, 11.01.2018 01:06 I was with ATU 501 Corpus Christi tex from late 1955 to spring of 1957. I flew in the pbm5s2 sea planes for most all that time did a lot of nav. hops. enjoyed every min. of it . to bad they dident save a few of them reply | | Bruce Barth, e-mail, 20.11.2016 21:27 Naval Aviation Historian would like to hear from anyone who served on Ebeye (Kwajalein) from 1944 to 1946 flying Martin PBM Mariners. Any and all information on PBM activities and operations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help. Bruce Barth www . vpmma .org reply | | Kenneth Simmons, e-mail, 01.11.2015 18:27 This is an addon to my comment about (2012) my uncle Earl. E. Simmons. He was a radioman on PBM's. Trained at NAS Corpus Christi (1944) then later went to NAS Alameda and was discharged in 1946. He may have been attached with VPB-99. reply | |
| | Evan Smith, e-mail, 26.05.2015 05:32 My father was stationed in MARSHAL Islands during the Atomic Testings of 1952 IVY & 1954 Castle. He was a photographer in the USAF 1352nd. I have a great photo he took while looking out of the back left window. Does anyone know of flying during these missions? I would love to hear your stories and memories. Thank you reply | | Rick Dombrowski, e-mail, 26.03.2015 11:11 I was stationed with ATU-700 at NAS, Corpus Christi, TX from '53 to '55. I was a brand new ADAN who became quite adept at wiping drip pans and cowling with side tours to galley and coop cleaning chores. Initially volunteered to fly observer in the PBM-5 with later assignments on the PBM-5S2 which had four-bladed reversible props. We lost a day /night NAV flight which was later found on a hillside in Mexico. I had some experience with the SNB aircraft segment of the squadron. Also did a stint with the beaching crew. Left the Navy as my time expired in June, '55. reply | | Stephanie Henderson, e-mail, 16.03.2015 23:23 Hello, fellow friends and retired soldiers /officers. I am researching for a close friend, her late father's career as a Navy Pilot during the Korean War. His name was ENSIGN Charles W. Drawhorn and was assigned to the VP-47 squadron out of San Deigo, California.
I have for supporting documents: an obituary, Korean War Navy photo and obituary photo & headstone photo.
Just wanting to know if there are any fellow "PBM Aviator's" out there that would have known him or could share some fond stories about him.
He was released from active duty in 1951 and returned to Baylor Medical School. He did his internship at U.S. Naval Hospital, San Deigo, California where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant, USNR(MC)
He went on to becoming a well know family doctor in Southeast, Texas for over 40 years upon his return.
I am retired ARMY /20 years....so I just have a few questions on the VP-47 squadron, how many in a crew, what beach did they land and take off from. Where did they stay....stuff like that.
I already requested his medals & ribbons via online request at the NAVPERS 1650 /96 Transmittal of and /or Entitlement to Awards from St Louis, MO.
It takes awhile. So be patient! After /about 72 days something will come by mail and then the medals about 2 weeks later from TN.
I can help anyone out in that area.
Please email if you know of this gentleman. Thanks for your ear and time.
Respectfully,
Stephanie /RET SFC /US ARMY (RET) reply | | john lipe klock jr, e-mail, 25.02.2015 23:31 John is my father he was on a flight crew on the Uss midway and also stationed in Trinidad during the Korean war he was also a piano player in the base band if you ever knew him please contact me his son at johnklock@ymail.com he talks of that time in his life would love to put him in touch reply | | Bill Case, e-mail, 22.01.2015 20:51 I was assigned to ATU 501 from late 1955 to late 1956 and flew on the PBM-5 as radio and radar operator flying many navigation training flights over the Gulf. I was also assigned to the radar shop keeping the radar systems operating. In January of 1956 I was transfered to VR-23 Atsugi Japan where I completed my Navy enlistment. reply | | Lyle Schoonover, e-mail, 06.11.2014 19:57 My dad, Lyle Schoonover, was an Aviation Ordinance Mate 3 /C with the Crew No. 229, on the PBM-5, San Diego, North Island, Calf. September 1945, Bomber Squadron, as a nose gunner. He and crew 229 trained together at Corpus Christi, Texas, May - September 1945. I have a list of the 229 and a photo of them in front of their PBM-5. Contact me if interested. reply | | Gary Larson, e-mail, 01.11.2014 06:38 My father, Arden Chester Larson,(aka Art or Chester) was a navigator on PBM's from the USN Norton Sound sea plane tender in 1945 era WWII. Died in 1994. Is there anyone that remembers him or served with him? please contact me. reply | | sue satzinger, e-mail, 01.08.2014 09:04 Saw the post by Jack Sandberg. My father, Arnold K. Satzinger was a pilot in the VPB-25 squadron. Any information would be most helpful for my research on his activities during WWII. reply | | Larry Lynch, e-mail, 22.04.2014 02:11 Larry: Truly hope you receive email. This is Bill (Robby) Robinson. I was in VP47 with Fred. Several of us guys were adopted by your Mom & Dad. "Honey & Buster" Me,Little Mac, Larry Reid, Gene Carlberg.
If you get this please call or email. 509-758-1653,or Wildwilly@cableone.net Bill reply | | Hubert A Smith AMSAN?AMS2, e-mail, 16.03.2014 22:09 I served in VP 50 from 52 to 56 and have a pic of SE-6 coming up the ramp from the last PBM operational flight. From this point in my life it is easy to forget the sub zero preflights and starting engines with a crank when it was cold. Also have given up on my hatred of hualing in sea anchors when the salt water froze on my cuffs. Dumb pilot never could make up his mind whether he wanted them in or out.(Big Smile). I have many interesting and exciting things in my life, but none of them compare to my time as a crewman in the PBM. What young man would not enjoy target shooting with a 50 or out smarting a devious Chicom Captain on the ECM. Every day had a new learning experience. Then there were the balmy summer days on bouy watch with a hook in the water out of the afterstation hatch.
Finally; as I look back, and realize I was a player in a very historic type of plane and era in the Navy, All the bad parts blow away and become nothing. Smitty reply |
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| | Barry, 26.02.2014 13:54 The R.A.F. ordered an initial batch of 28 in 1943. The first delvery of 10 airframes went to 524 Squadron and after 8 months it was decided to cancel all further orders and return the aeroplanes back to the U.S.A. I am unaware of the reason for this except that perhaps with the existing fleet of Sunderlands and Catalinas there was probably no need for another type. reply | | alain peulet, e-mail, 14.01.2014 23:18 I'm in love with US flyingboats (French Marlin) and started building the Mach2 french kit ... And now just received the Minicraft one !
Anybody can help for detailed plans , Ginter Naval Fighter is nice but I need more .
I send this message from France and need infos about many US planes from 50's till 70 .
Thanks reply | | Bruce Barth, e-mail, 14.10.2013 01:39 Naval Aviation Historian would like to hear from anyone who served on Ebeye (Kwajalein) from 1944 to 1946 flying Martin PBM Mariners. Any information on PBM actives and operations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help. Bruce Barth reply | | John Sandiford, e-mail, 09.08.2013 20:44 I cannot get a hold of Donald Swartz. I keep getting bounce backs. I did substitute the = with the @ sign, but no luck.
My father and Donald were both in VPB-28 in Jimanok. reply | | Norm Barnhart, e-mail, 03.07.2013 14:53 I was radioman on VR-24's PBM in Port Lyautey, NAS in 1952,and '53. reply |
| Kate Watts, e-mail, 12.11.2012 06:03 My dad was an Aviation Radio Man 3-c on PMB-3 FAW 16 VP 211. He was stationed in Galeao, Bahia, Aratu Brazil. 1943-1945 I am creating a computer presentation about my father's military history. He died in 1985 at the age of 60. I would like to have more information about the duties and roles that various crew members on the PBM had. What was daily life like on a PBM-3 Thanks for any information you may be willing to share. I would like to honor my father this Christmas with a very special gift to our family. reply |
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Norm Barnhart
I served in VP-50 from 1952 till 1955 at Alemeda NAS and Iwakuni Japan dischared12 /1 /55
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