P5M Marlin
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| Martin P5M Marlin | ||
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| Missing image P5M_Marlin.jpg P5M Marlin US Coast Guard Martin P5M-2G Marlin | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Naval patrol and ASW flying boat | |
| Crew | 8 | |
| First Flight | 1948 | |
| Entered Service | ||
| Manufacturer | Glenn L. Martin Company | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 100 ft 7 in | 30.7 m |
| Wingspan | 117 ft 2 in | 35.7 m |
| Height | 32 ft 9 in | 10.0 m |
| Wing area | 1,406 ft² | 130.1 m² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 50,485 lb | 22,900 kg |
| Loaded | 85,000 lb | 38,600 kg |
| Maximum takeoff | lb | kg |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 2 × Wright R-3350-32WA radials | |
| Power | 2 × 3,450 hp | 2,570 kW |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 251 mph | 404 km/h |
| Combat range | 2,050 miles | 3,300 km |
| Ferry range | miles | km |
| Service ceiling | 24,000 ft | 7,300 m |
| Rate of climb | ft/min | m/min |
| Wing loading | lb/ft² | kg/m² |
| Power/Mass | hp/lb | kW/kg |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | AN/APS-44 radar | |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | ||
| Bombs | ||
| Missiles | ||
| Rockets | ||
| Other | ||
The Martin P5M Marlin, built by the Glenn L. Martin Company of Middle River, Maryland, was the last flying boat in service with the United States Navy and the US armed forces in general. Built as a successor to the PBM Mariner, the new hull form and new conventional tail were fitted to a Mariner to become the XP5M Marlin prototype.
The Marlin was designed as a gull-winged aircraft to lift the engines and propellers high above the spray. Power was by two Wright R-3350 radial engines. The hull, somewhat inspired by the Japanese Kawanishi H8K of World War II, did not lift sharply from the water at the tail, instead rising up steadily; this gave the aircraft a longer base of flotation and reduced "porpoising" over waves.
The prototype had nose and tail turrets bearing twin 20 mm cannon each, as well as a dorsal turret with two 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine guns. The cockpit area was the same as the Mariner's. It first flew in May 1948.
The first of 167 production P5M-1 aircraft was produced in 1949. Changes from the prototype included a raised flight deck for improved visibility, the replacement of the nose turret with a large radome for the APS-80 search radar, the deletion of the dorsal turret, and new, streamlined wing floats. The engine nacelles were lengthened to provide room for weapons bays in the rear.
116 P5M-2 planes followed. These had a 'T'-tail to keep the tail surfaces out of the spray, a MAD boom at the rear of the tail-tip, no tail guns, better crew accommodation and an improved bow to reduce spray during takeoff and landing.
US Coast Guard service
Seven P5M-1Gs and four P5M-2Gs were built for the US Coast Guard for air-sea rescue service, but the service found the planes difficult to maintain and surplus to requirements. They were given to the Navy, which used them as trainers since they had no provision for armament.
French navy service
The French navy took delivery of ten ex-USN Marlins in 1959 to replace Shorts Sunderlands in maritime patrol service, based out of Dakar. They were returned five years later.
| Related content | |
|---|---|
| Related Development | PBM Mariner - P7M Submaster |
| Similar Aircraft | Beriev Be-12 - Short Sunderland |
| Designation Series | PM - P2M - P3M - P4M - P5M - P6M - P7M |
| Related Lists | List of military aircraft of the United States - List of flying boats and seaplanes |
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