|
| 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 B. Relyea, e-mail, 09.11.2010 09:23 I flew with VP-47 as an AT=2, crew 6 ,1957-59. Alameda NAS, Iwakuni,Japan, Sangly Point,P.I. Our P5M-2 BU NO 135520 was a great bird and always got us back to base. We were intercepted by two Mig-17s near Valadivostock, Russia while ( finger printing ) a new Russian Radar. Scary!!!!! reply | | David B. Relyea, e-mail, 09.11.2010 09:23 I flew with VP-47 as an AT=2, crew 6 ,1957-59. Alameda NAS, Iwakuni,Japan, Sangly Point,P.I. Our P5M-2 BU NO 135520 was a great bird and always got us back to base. We were intercepted by two Mig-17s near Valadivostock, Russia while ( finger printing ) a new Russian Radar. Scary!!!!! reply | | Jess Ford, e-mail, 04.11.2010 16:26 I was an AT2 on a p5m1 stationed in San Diego North Island. I have flown on both of the planes shown in the pictures. My plane was RC9. I was the radioman and ECM operator.The times were in 1959-1961. My pilot was comander Counts. I am looking for any one that was in the squardon during this time please contact me. I am also looking for a model kit of the plane and the tail number of RC9. I heard that the plane crassed in Alaska and that Comander Counts was killed in a crash in the Anartic. If any one has thin information please contact me. reply |
| George Alexander, e-mail, 27.10.2010 01:49 In VP56 1959-60. LQ12 crew as radio operator. LT Ralph Mason, Plane Commander. Brownie, ADC & Plane Captain; Nesbitt, AMS1; Woods, AMS3; Burton, AT2; West AT3; McEachren, AO3 are the ones I can remember. Know we had an AE, but who????? reply | |
| | Ron, e-mail, 25.10.2010 03:39 were from my visit to Pensecola. If youre ever down that way ,its worth the stop. A really nice securityman (retired USN) took me back by the P5 and said he would leave us to remenise. I was surprised...I started thinking about the times, and the men ,and how time had flown. It was strange to think how nobody down there even knew how the beaching gear worked!!! Remember what " Cat on the tail, strain on the line" meant? how slick those ramps could get at night in the rain? Remember how quiet it was, and how smooth the bay would be when you had the mid watch and no planes were moving on the ramp? I dont know you but we share some old , old memories! We were witness to the last of an era. Live well shipmate!! Ron Kassebaum at: gina1305@att.net reply | | Don Safer, e-mail, 23.10.2010 08:33 Hi Ron,
Today I recieved an email with 12 photos of that P-5 from gina1305. Coincidence? Maybe some one you know? ;>
The photos included among the best photos of the mounts I have seen in a while. I was very personal and up close with P-5 mounts. I once swam with and helped maintained them. reply | | Ron Kassebaum, e-mail, 22.10.2010 06:57 One P5m-2 left. It is restored and sets proudly on the flightline at the Naval Air Museum Pensecola Fl. along with a bunch of other planes. But none stand so tall !!! Yep shes on her beaching gear! reply | | Don Safer, e-mail, 18.10.2010 00:35 Hi Joe,
It was probably a Japanese US-1a or US-2. Certainly not a rebuilt P-5. Check Wikipedia. There are many videos on YouTube. I believe the US-2 may still be in production. reply | | Garth Hess, e-mail, 07.10.2010 08:47 I was in VP-48 in 1954 and 1955 as an AT1 and was the First Radioman (instead of the radio communications I ran the radar) on the P5M-1 tail number SF-9 in Iwakuni, Japan. We would fly patrols up along the coast of South and North Korea and the southern coast of Russia. Also another patrol under Korea and along the coast of Red China. Even though the war was officially over patrol planes were occasionally shot down so we were always on the lookout. We did lose an engine and were forced to land on the inland sea area of Japan and had to taxi the last 120 miles back to Iwakuni. There were several other close calls on the patrols but all turned out OK. reply | | JIM WOJTON, e-mail, 07.10.2010 04:21 I WAS THE RADIOMAN ON LM 8 THAT MADE THAT 550 MILE TAXI RECORD. IT WAS FEB.12, 1960 THAT WE WENT DOWN. STOPPED IN GRAND TURK ISLAND FOR EVALUATION AND DECIDED WING SUPPORTS WERE TOO BADLY DAMAGED TO MOUNT ANOTHER ENGINE. WENT ON TO GITM. reply | | Joe Sommer, e-mail, 02.10.2010 07:57 I'm a retired black-shoe, so probably not qualified to comment. However, I distinctly recall my middie indoc flight on a P5M at Corpus Christi in 1956. I recently flew Space-A into Iwakuni MCAS, and observed from the air what appeared to be several P5M's parked on the ramp on the JMSDF side of the base. Upon asking a USMC aircrew I met, he stated they were USN-provided P5M airframes with totally new Japanese engines and avionics. Can anyone confirm /deny this explanation? reply | | Richard Luberacki, e-mail, 29.09.2010 21:54 Was in VP-49 stationed in Nas Bermuda from 6-52 to 5-54 Was a AD3. The 3350s where a great engine to work on even with the turbos. The P5M also had flaps in the aft hull for steering the plane on water. Also was a beach master for launching and retreiving the PBMs and later when we got the P5Ms. Beatiful aircraft. Recieved a letter of commendation for preventing a P5M from going up on the beach. Stil have the Squadron photo taken with the P5M up on my wall. reply | | John Smarsh, e-mail, 22.09.2010 21:23 John Smarsh AT2
I flew both PBM-5 and P5M-1 (CC11) VP-44 as an AT2, (lead electronics man) from 1951-1953. Started flying PBM-5 and went to get First P5M-1 at Martin. reply | | Ray Fuller, e-mail, 18.09.2010 15:57 When I was in the navy in the late 1950's, I was aboard the USS Albemarle AV-5
a seaplane tender that operated in the Caribbean, and operated with these planes. What a neat thing to see them coming in and leaving. They were quite a plane. reply | |
| | Don (shaky) Sherry, e-mail, 08.09.2010 22:14 Served in VP-50 1966-67.AMH3 North Island CA. Sangley Point P.I.,Cam Ranh Bay V.N. Opperation Market Time. We Lost the 13 Boat and Crew Jan. 6, 1967. Have'nt heard or seen my squadron mates since I musturd out and VP-50 went north to San Francisco Moffett Field, and P-3 Orions. reply | | Allan T, e-mail, 23.06.2010 21:58 VP-44- I'm looking for any person who may have served in VP-44 Atlantic Fleet, ASW /SAR, in CC5, CC7 or CC12 with my friend Tom /Thomas DuCharme. reply | | Dave Plummer, e-mail, 30.06.2010 16:02 Flew Radio VP49 EA6 Bermuda from 1954 to June 1956. Great times with a great bunch of guys. Wish there was one of those old P5M1's around today!! reply | | charlie weidman, e-mail, 05.07.2010 00:36 Retired 22 year USMC Gunnery Sergeant. I remember the P5s across the field at MCAF Iwakuni, Japan back in 1958-59. Quite a sight to see the JATO being used on takeoffs in the bay. Fine old aircraft. We had AD 6's the old Douglas Sky Raiders on the Marine side of the base. Went on to more ADs at Quantico, A-4s at Beaufort and then on to UH1-Es as a port gunner in Vietnam, closing down Marble Mountain back in 1971. Then on to OV-10 Bronchos and retired back in october,'76. reply | | Bruce Barth, e-mail, 10.07.2010 16:40 I am a former Navy aircrewman with VP-40 from 1965-67 and an author and historian on Martin seaplanes. I published the first book on the P5M Marlin in 1994 and offer videos, flight manuals, prints and drawings on the P5M and PBM Mariner. For additional information visit www=VPMMA=org reply | | Rick Barry, e-mail, 23.07.2010 23:57 VP49 in Bermuda was my first duty station after flight training in Pensacola /Corpus, from Jan 1957-1960. A truly great group of people. My wife Linda and I started our family there. They had a saying that there was a baby in every water catch under each house. Lived in 3 houses there, had 3 great kids -- and 2 more in later duty stations in DC and Monterey. Still meet for monthly lunches with the remaining Northern VA VP49 group -- Bob Niles (Maint. Off), Pete Cummins (Flight Off) and Art Hamilt (Avionics Off). Great tour. reply |
|
Do you have any comments?
|
| 
COMPANY
PROFILE
All the World's Rotorcraft
|
Hi Jess, I was in VP-46 58 and 59. Was also an AT2. Send me an email
reply