Martin P5M Marlin

Cheryl Wilson, e-mail, 21.04.2015 02:25 @Bruce Barth or ANYONE! I am writing a book about my father's experience in the Navy. He is 85 years old. I am in great need of some minor technical information on the takeoff and landing of the P5M and your comment caught my attention. Would you be able to help me? I only have a page or two on the plane but I want to be accurate in my descriptions and there is very little that I can find on the internet. There is some information on landing procedures (attaching gears, etc.) but nothing on takeoff. My dad worked on them, put the gear on them and would use a speedboat to assist. He has spoke of a line and a quick release? Stirring up waves to help the plane break the surface? Can anyone help? Thank you. reply

Rick Dombrowski, e-mail, 26.03.2015 10:14 I was assigned as the PC on QE-7 at Sangley Point, R.P. Worked in the Mech Shop when not flying. Had some interesting events on several patrols and worked with a great crew to get the job done. LT Bob Westlake was PPC, Ltjg Stebbins and Ltjg Stroup were 2P and 3P; Dominese was Radar, Hiser was Radio, Masterson was Structures /Hydraulics, Saterfield was Electric and Wilson was the other AT. This crew flew the P5M-1, BuNo 126501, which we had the priviledge to fly back to San Diego, turn in the A /C, go thru updated equipment training and fly a new P5M-2 back to Sangley Point. I personally accomplished this twice with flying another P5M-1 to San Diego to do the same swap and fly another new P5M-2 back to Sangley Point. The last transpac was under the expert guidance of LT Keith Wilkinson . Seaplane flying was unique and a demanding aspect of patrol duties. Our Crew 4 was personally involved with the rescue of a NorthWest Orient DC-6B that was forced to ditch between Guam and the Philippines; a tribute to that aircrew's talent in getting the plane down in an open sea landing and recovering the lion's share of the survivors from the downed aircraft. It was a distinct pleasure to serve with men such as these of VP-40. reply

richard chamberlain, e-mail, 17.03.2015 03:16 chamberlain I was on the P5M that had to land at sea because the starboard engine caught fire.We used both extingishers,it was still burning.we were given a cardboard write up by Martin. I am ret.AO 1.Spelling(extinguishers) reply

Robert (Bob) Hummel, e-mail, 14.03.2015 11:58 I was with VP45 in Coco Solo, Panama in '54 when we received our first P5M-1, Number 12. I was the electronics tech and third radioman on that crew, until I left the Squadron in May for VR1 in Pax River. Enjoyed my time as a crew member. reply

Harold Marchant, e-mail, 12.03.2015 02:29 How would I contact a person who wrote a comment about the Martin P5M. We shared an apartment at North Island. He says, drop me a line. Where would I find his address? Harold Marchant reply

Frank Notarnicola, e-mail, 25.02.2015 20:01 I flew as a P5M-1 2nd Mech 1958-59 in ATU501 /VT29 Corpus Christi, TX. Loved the P Boats. Next assignment was USS Pine Island AV12 San Diego / WestPAC. While on Pine Island 1961 /62 picked up crew of VP40 Sangley Pt that went down in Philppine Sea. Had engine fire landed on water to extinguish Fire. Picked up crew and lifted plane on deck at night on the high seas. First time ever night time pick up at sea. Anyone out there part of rescued aircrew or Piney Maru remember this event? reply

Gerald Lillie, e-mail, 23.01.2015 17:34 Flew in the P5M's as radioman and electrical panel operator. ATU 501 in Corpus Christi,TX, 1957. VP-31 in North Island,CA, 1962 to 1965. Retired as ATC in 1973. reply

Ronald D.Peters, e-mail, 19.01.2015 07:56 I was in VP 31 from the fall of 1962 until summer of 1963. I worked in the tool crib in the seaplane hanger. My boss took me along on a training flight on a PB5M I remember they used a boat to detach and attach the wheels. It was quite exciting for a farm boy from SD just turned 18. reply

bill klawon' ao1,ret, e-mail, 10.01.2015 00:51 Ordnanceman vp48,vp50 (sg-3),vp31. '59-'65.good times in Iwakuni with those crazy crew 3 AT's. reply

Ron Jerger, e-mail, 03.01.2015 18:03 Flew for over two years as a crew member in VP-48. I was an AO3. My Job besides an ordence man was to cook and grab the rope eye upon approaching the ramp. I love it and seems like only yesterday some times. reply

William U Yates, e-mail, 22.12.2014 02:57 W U Yates contact at wuyates@cox.net reply

William U Yates, e-mail, 21.12.2014 02:34 I am fascinated by the first couple entries; I was a AEMAN when I reported to VP-47 in January 1959 at Alameda. Went to Iwakuni and worked in EBU, I am called an AD in the cruise book. I will scan and email pictures if anyone wants a page. reply

George j spencer, e-mail, 03.11.2014 17:09 I was enlisted from 1958 thru 1962' served in the vp 47 seaplane squadron, went to Iwakuni, Japan. After airframes school in 1958, in Memphis Tennessee. Am interested in contacting any airmen who served in my squadron with me. I served under a great leader ; commander Gorman, CO. I worked on the hydraulics, and airframes on the p5m seaplanes. Anyone remember ?. please contact me at my e-mail address, gpspencer@centurylink.net. god bless you each and everyone who served in defense of our great USA. Spence !!! Commander Gorman U reply

Ralph Doudna, e-mail, 21.08.2014 09:36 My first duty assignment upon graduating from ATAN school was VP-47 Alameda from Mid 1959 to mid 1962. Checked into the squadron as an ATAA and left for ATIB school as an AT2. Made my first flight as a tail observer shortly after checking in to the squadron. The command pilot was CDR Gorman XO. I can still recall that flight. The squadron deployed to Iwakuni, Japan 1959-1960 and was relieved by VP-50 one month late due to an unfortunate and costly training accident they had experienced while at Whidbey Is. We returned to Alameda and the squadron was reassigned to Whidbey Is. I eventually was assigned to flight crew and flew with crew 4. About the only flight gear enlisted received in those days was a flight jacket helmet and gloves. PPC was LCDR Wilson, Pilots were Lt's Dorsey Brown, Dick VanGermit, Skip Rawlins, Monte Killingsworth, Ltjg Link, Enlisted were, Erine Hill, David Payne, Jim Bateman, Maurice Sherman, Ron Keys, Paul Newbury, Jim Davis, Ken Hanway and Carlton Harris, not all these members were in crew four at the same time. My time and numerous hours both on the ground and in the air with crew four will forever be some of my fondest memories. They were a great group to serve with and We all did a lot of growing up under each others guidance. Flying in the old P5M-1 and -2 was a challenge and experience I would not trade for anything and there is no way of relating those times to someone who has not experienced it. We were deployed to Alaska with the USS Curtuck in 1962 and were ridding the buoy in Old Woman Bay, which required 3 enlisted and 1 pilot to control the aircraft incase the aircraft broke away from the buoy, Ltjg Link wondered what a PDC sounded like when it went off so he had Sherman throw one off the port wing and nothing happened, thinking it was a dud we threw another off the stbd wing nothing happened until about 2 in the morning when the tide came in and the water depth exceeded 50 ft, Those things went off a few seconds apart and our curiosity was forever satisfied . I would also like acknowledge Tommy Thompson the Marin Rep who more than once rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt and helped troubleshoot and repair a difficult problem. Retired out of the Navy as an CPO in 1994 and would like to thank all those who contributed to my career along the way. reply