Martin PBM-1 Mariner

Glenn L. Martin Company · United States · first flew 1939 · transport aircraft

The Martin PBM-1 Mariner is the initial production variant of the PBM Mariner twin-engine patrol flying boat, entering US Navy service in 1940. It features a distinctive inverted-gull wing to raise the engines clear of spray and a twin-tail arrangement.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	23.88 m fuselage
T — Tail	Twin fin

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Spot it by:

Twin-engine gull-wing patrol flying boat with twin tails
Distinctive inverted gull wing mounting engine nacelles
Large WWII US Navy patrol boat with stepped hull

The inverted gull wing — dipping down from the hull and rising to the engine nacelles — is the Mariner's most distinctive recognition feature, combined with the twin-tail unit and large stepped flying boat hull.

Specifications

The Martin PBM-1 Mariner has a length of 23.88 m (78 ft).
It has a wingspan of 35.97 m (118 ft).
Its maximum speed is 340 km/h (211 mph).
Typical crew: 7.

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

History

Martin designed the PBM Mariner in the late 1930s as a replacement for the PBY Catalina in the patrol flying boat role. The first flight in February 1939 demonstrated good performance, and the type entered production as the PBM-1 with 21 aircraft in the initial batch.

Variants

The PBM-1 was followed by the PBM-3 (principal WWII variant) and PBM-5 with more powerful engines; the type served throughout WWII and into the postwar period.

Where you'll see it

The PBM-1 entered US Navy service in 1940 and served in patrol and anti-submarine roles; later marks saw extensive WWII service in both Atlantic and Pacific theatres.

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