Martin P5M-2 Marlin

Glenn L. Martin Company · United States · first flew 1954 · transport aircraft

The Martin P5M-2 Marlin is the improved turboprop-powered variant of the P5M Marlin patrol flying boat, serving as the US Navy's primary maritime patrol flying boat in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It featured a T-tail arrangement and turboprop engines replacing the original piston powerplants.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × turboprop, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	30.66 m fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

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Spot it by:

Large twin-turboprop patrol flying boat with T-tail
High-mounted gull wing over boat hull
US Navy's last operational flying boat type

The T-tail, large boat hull, high-set gull wing with two turboprop engines, and overall size make the P5M-2 unmistakable; the T-tail distinguishes it from the P5M-1's conventional tail.

Specifications

The Martin P5M-2 Marlin has a length of 30.66 m (101 ft).
It has a wingspan of 36.02 m (118 ft).
Its maximum speed is 405 km/h (252 mph).
Typical crew: 11.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The P5M-2 introduced Wright T49 turboprop engines and a redesigned T-tail for improved stability over the P5M-1, entering service in 1954. It represented the pinnacle of American patrol flying boat development before land-based patrol aircraft like the P-3 Orion made flying boats obsolete.

Variants

The P5M-1 was the original piston-powered production version; the P5M-2 brought turboprops and the T-tail. Both marks were redesignated P-5A and P-5B respectively under the 1962 US military designation system.

Where you'll see it

The P5M-2 served with US Navy patrol squadrons until 1967, making it the last flying boat to serve operationally with the US Navy.

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