Martin PBM Mariner

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox aircraft

The Martin PBM Mariner is a twin-engine American patrol bomber flying boat of World War II and the early Cold War era. It was designed to complement the Consolidated PBY Catalina and PB2Y Coronado in service. A total of 1,366 PBMs were built, with the first example flying on 18 February 1939, and the type entering service in September 1940, with the last of the type being retired in 1964.

A Mariner, otherwise noted for its WW2 and post-War service, was the type that vanished searching for Flight 19. Flight 19 vanished in the Bermuda Triangle; it and the Mariner that searched for it were never found with its 14 crew, though it was thought to have suffered a mid-air explosion. Another noted crash was the 1946 Antarctica PBM Mariner crash in December 1946.

Design and development

A transport Mariner takes off in 1942

In 1937 the Glenn L. Martin Company designed a new twin-engined flying boat, the Model 162, to succeed its earlier Martin P3M and complement the PBY Catalina and PB2Y Coronado. It received an order for a single prototype XPBM-1 on 30 June 1937.<ref name="Swan Navy p318">Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p. 318.</ref>

To test the PBM's layout, Martin built a three-eighths scale flying model, the Martin 162A Tadpole Clipper with a crew of one and powered by a single Template:Convert Chevrolet engine driving two airscrews via v-belts; this was flown in December 1937.<ref name="Dorr p122"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This was followed by an initial production order for 21 PBM-1 aircraft on 28 December 1937.<ref name="Green v5 p177">Green 1968, p. 177.</ref> The first genuine PBM, the XPBM-1, flew on 18 February 1939.<ref name="Swan Navy p318"/>

The aircraft had multiple gun positions including single mounts at each midship beam and stern above the tail cone. Additional guns were positioned in the nose and dorsal turrets, each fitted with two-gun turrets. The bomb bays were in the engine nacelles. The gull wing was of cantilever design, and featured clean aerodynamics with an unbraced twin tail. The PBM-1 was equipped with retractable wing landing floats that were hinged outboard, with single-strut supported floats that retracted inwards to rest beneath the wing, with the floats' keels just outboard of each of the engine nacelles. The PBM-3 had fixed floats, and the fuselage was three feet longer than that of the PBM-1. Martin also developed the even larger 4-engined Martin JRM Mars in this period.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Operational history

File:PBM-1 Mariner VP-56 1940.jpg
A U.S. Navy PBM-1 of Patrol Squadron 56 (VP-56) in 1940.
File:Martin PBM-5 Mariner of VPB-26 aboard USS Norton Sound (AV-11) off Saipan in April 1945 (80-G-K-16079).jpg
A PBM-5 on the deck of USS Norton Sound in April 1945 off Saipan
File:PBM Mariner USS Curtiss (AV-4).jpg
A U.S. Navy PBM of Fleet Air Wing 6 is hoisted aboard the seaplane tender Template:USS after a mine-hunting patrol off North Korea during the Korean War (1950-1953).
File:Lot-799-15 (34970532473).jpg
PBM Mariner leaves a wake (August 1943)

The first PBM-1s entered service with Patrol Squadron Fifty-Five (VP-55) of the United States Navy on 1 September 1940.<ref name="Green v5 p177"/> Prior to the entry of the United States into World War II in December 1941, PBMs were used (together with PBYs) to carry out Neutrality Patrols in the Atlantic, including operations from Iceland. Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, PBMs were used on anti-submarine patrols, sinking their first German U-boat, U-158, on 30 June 1942.<ref name="Dorr p115">Dorr 1997, p. 115.</ref> PBMs were responsible, wholly or in part, for sinking a total of ten U-boats during World War II.<ref name="Dorr p115"/> PBMs were also heavily used in the Pacific War, operating from bases at Saipan, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and the South West Pacific.<ref name="Dorr p116">Dorr 1987, p. 116.</ref>

The United States Coast Guard acquired 27 Martin PBM-3 aircraft during the first half of 1943. In late 1944, the service acquired 41 PBM-5 models and more were delivered in the latter half of 1945. Ten were still in service in 1955, although all were gone from the active Coast Guard inventory by 1958 (when the last example was released from CGAS San Diego and returned to the U.S. Navy). These flying boats became the backbone of the long-range aerial search and rescue efforts of the Coast Guard in the early post-war years until supplanted by the P5M Marlin and the HU-16 Albatross in the mid-1950s.<ref>"1943: Coast Guard Acquires Martin PBM-3/-5 Flying Boats."US Coast Guard. Retrieved: 8 Dec 2018.</ref>

PBMs continued in service with the U.S. Navy following the end of World War II, flying long patrol missions during the Korean War.<ref name="Dorr p118">Dorr 1987, p. 118.</ref> It continued in front line use until replaced by its successor, the P5M Marlin. The last Navy squadron equipped with the PBM, Patrol Squadron Fifty (VP-50), retired them in July 1956.<ref name="DANAS v2 app 1 p671">Roberts 2000, Appendix 1, p. 671.</ref>

The British Royal Air Force acquired 32 Mariners, but they were not used operationally, with some returned to the United States Navy.<ref name="March p172">March 1998, p. 172.</ref> A further 12 PBM-3Rs were transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force for transporting troops and cargo.<ref>A70 Martin Mariner Template:Webarchive. RAAF Museum:RAAF Point Cook. Retrieved: 24 May 2009.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Royal Netherlands Navy acquired 17 PBM-5A Mariners at the end of 1955 for service in Netherlands New Guinea.<ref name="Hoffman p74">Hoffmann 2002, p. 74.</ref> The PBM-5A was an amphibian with retractable landing gear. The engines were Template:Convert Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34. After a series of crashes, the Dutch withdrew their remaining aircraft from use in December 1959.<ref name="Hoffman p76-7">Hoffman 2002, pp. 76–77.</ref>

Variants

File:Martin XPBM-1 Mariner in flight c1939.jpeg
The XPBM-1 showing the original retractable floats.
XPBM-1 (Model 162)
Prototype. Powered by two 1,600 hp (1,194 kW) R-2600-6 engines.<ref name="Dorr p122">Dorr 1997, p. 122.</ref>
PBM-1 (Model 162)
Initial production version. 5× .50 inch (12.7 mm) machine guns. Two R-2600-6 engines; 21 built.<ref name="Dorr p122"/>
XPBM-2 (Model 162)
Conversion of one PBM-1 as experimental catapult-launched long-range strategic bomber.<ref name="Dorr p123">Dorr 1997, p. 123.</ref>
PBM-3 (Model 162B)
Improved version. 1,700 hp (1,270 kW) R-2600-12 engines; 32 built.<ref name="Dorr p123"/>
PBM-3R (Model 162B)
Unarmed transport version of PBM-3. 18 new build plus 31 converted from PBM-3.<ref name="Dorr p123"/>
PBM-3C (Model 162C)
Improved patrol version with twin .50 in machine guns in nose and dorsal turrets, and single guns in tail turret and waist positions. AN/APS-15 radar in radome behind cockpit; 274 built.<ref name="Dorr p124">Dorr 1997, p. 124.</ref>
PBM-3B (Model 162C)
Designation for ex-RAF Mariner GR.1A after return to U.S. Navy.<ref name="Dorr p124"/>
PBM-3S (Model 162C)
Dedicated anti-submarine aircraft with reduced armament and weight for improved range. Six were prototyped from the PBM-3C with radar and standard armament less the dorsal turret. Later a light weight nose armament was fitted (2× fixed 0.50 in machine guns in nose. Retained were single machine gun in port waist position.; 62 conversions plus 94 built as new plus .<ref name="Dorr p125">Dorr 1997, p. 125.</ref><ref name="Swan Navy p320">Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p. 320.</ref>
PBM-3D (Model 162D)
Patrol bomber with increased power (two 1,900 hp (1,417 kW) R-2600-22s) and increased armament (twin 0.50 in machine guns in nose, dorsal, and tail turrets, plus two waist guns). 259 built.<ref name="Dorr p125"/>
PBM-4 (Model 162E)
Proposed version with two 2,700 hp (2,015 kW) Wright R-3350 engines; unbuilt.<ref name="Dorr p126">Dorr 1997, p. 126.</ref>
PBM-5 (Model 162F)
Version with 2,100 hp (1,566 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines;<ref name="Donald p184">Donald 1995, p. 184.</ref> 628 built.<ref name="Dorr p126"/>
PBM-5E
Variant of PBM-5 with improved radar.<ref name="Donald p184"/>
PBM-5S
Lightened anti-submarine variant of PBM-5.<ref name="Dorr p126"/>
PBM-5S2
Improved anti-submarine aircraft with revised radar installation.<ref name="Dorr p126"/>
PBM-5A (Model 162G)
Amphibian version of PBM-5, with retractable tricycle undercarriage; 36 built plus four conversions.<ref name="Dorr p126"/>
Mariner I
British designation for 32 PBM-3B supplied to the Royal Air Force.

Operators

File:41 Sqn (AWM NEA0565).jpg
A 41 Sqn RAAF Mariner in 1944
File:Martin Mariner 524 Sqn RAF at Oban 1943.jpg
A 524 Sqn RAF Mariner I at Oban, Scotland (UK), in October 1943.
File:PBM Mariner water takeoff.jpg
A U.S. Coast Guard PBM takes off from the water assisted by RATO.
File:Martin PBM-3 Mariner in flight c1942.jpg
Martin PBM Mariner in US service in 1942
Template:ARG
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  • Royal Air Force ordered 33 aircraft but only 28 were delivered.<ref name="South p33">Hoffman 2003, p. 33.</ref>
    • 524 Squadron operated 28 Mariner Is from October–December 1943<ref name="Jefford96">Jefford 1988, p. 96.</ref> under command of No. 15 Group Coastal Command.
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Template:URY
  • National Navy of Uruguay purchased three PBM-5S2s in 1956, with the last retired on 3 February 1964.<ref name="South p31-2">Hoffman 2003, pp. 31–32.</ref>

Surviving aircraft

File:Martin PBM 5-A Mariner at the Pima Air and Space Museum.jpg
Martin PBM-5A Mariner on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum near Tucson, Arizona

Accidents and incidents

File:USSChandeleur(AV-10) UpoluIslandSamoa.jpg
A damaged PBM Mariner is loaded on Template:Nowrap's aft deck in Apia Harbor, Samoa, on 15 February 1943.

Specifications (PBM-1)

File:Martin PBM-5S Mariner 3-view line drawing.png
3-view line drawing of the Martin PBM-5S Mariner

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See also

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References

Citations

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Sources

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  • Bridgeman, Leonard. "The Martin Model 162 Mariner." Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. Template:ISBN.
  • Donald, David, ed. American Warplanes of World War II. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1995. Template:ISBN.
  • Dorr, Robert F. "Variant Briefing: Martin Flying Boats: Mariner, Mars and Marlin". Wings of Fame, Volume 7, 1997, pp. 114–133. London: Aerospace Publishing, Template:ISBN.
  • Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War: Volume Five Flying Boats. London: Macdonald, 1968. Template:ISBN.
  • Hoffman, Richard A. "Dutch Mariners: PBMs in Service with the Netherlands Navy". Air Enthusiast, No. 97, January/February 2002, pp. 73–77. Stamford, UK:Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Hoffman, Richard A. The Fighting Flying Boat: A History of the Martin PBM Mariner. Annapolis, Maryland: US Naval Institute Press, 2004. Template:ISBN.
  • Hoffman, Richard A. "South American Mariners: Martin PBMs in Argentina and Uruguay". Air Enthusiast, No. 104, March/April 2003, pp. 29–33. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Jefford, C. G. RAF Squadrons. Ramsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, UK, First edition, 1988. Template:ISBN.
  • March, Daniel J. British Warplanes of World War II. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1998. Template:ISBN.
  • Martin PBM-3C US Navy Pilot's Handbook (MTPBM3C-POH-C). Washington, D.C.: The Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, 1944.
  • Martin PBM-3D 1943 Pilot's Handbook of Flight Operating Instructions (AN 01-35QF-1). Washington, D.C.: The Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, 1944.
  • Martin PBM-3D 1945 Pilot's Handbook of Flight Operating Instructions (AN 01-35EE-1). Washington, DC: The Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, 1944.
  • Martin PBM-5 1947 Navy Model Pilot's Handbook (AN 01-35ED-1). Washington, D.C.: The Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, 1944.
  • PBM-3S PNM-3D Handbook of Structural Repair Navy Model (A.N. 01-35QG-3). Washington, D.C.: The Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, 1944.
  • Roberts, Michael D. Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons: Volume 2: The History of VP, VPB, VP(HL) and VP(AM) Squadrons. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, 2000.
  • Smith, Bob. PBM Mariner in action - Aircraft No. 74. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1986. Template:ISBN.
  • Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. London: Putnam, 1976. Template:ISBN.
  • Sweet, Donald H. et al. The Forgotten Heroes: The Story of Rescue Squadron VH-3 in World War II.Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey:DoGO, 2000. Template:ISBN.

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Further reading

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