The Martin P5M Marlin

Published in 1994 as a Limited Edition, The Martin P5M Marlin is the first to cover this last of its kind naval flying boat. The P5M Marlin was the last in a long line of military seaplanes produced by the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company between 1909 and 1960. Designed in 1946 to replace the venerable Martin PBM Mariner, the P5M-1 was the first U.S. Navy aircraft built specifically for ASW use. Although many new designs were considered throughout the 1950s, the P5M-2 was the last production flying boat used by the U.S. Navy. At the onset of the Vietnam conflict, the Navy’s four remaining seaplane patrol squadrons VP-40, 47, 48 and 50 were called into action and played a significant role as part of Operation Market Time, from 1964 to 1967. The Marlins were officially retired in 1967, ending 57 years of Naval Seaplane Aviation. Only one example survives today!