Martin P5M Marlin Models

[caption id="attachment_173645" align="alignnone" width="849"] By Cdr. T. L. Bigley, USNR-TAR (Retired), VP-40 1963-1966 - U.S. Navy Cdr. Bigley website [1], Public Domain,[/caption]

The Martin P5M Marlin: A Legendary U.S. Navy Flying Boat

The Martin P5M Marlin, later known as the P-5 Marlin, was a twin-engine, piston-powered flying boat built by the Glenn L. Martin Company in Maryland. It was designed as an improved successor to the PBM Mariner, featuring stronger engines, a redesigned hull, and a single vertical fin tail. The Marlin entered service in 1951 and became a key aircraft for the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol missions throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

Upgraded Design & Variants

The first prototype, called the XP5M Marlin, was built from the last PBM-5 Mariners. Martin continued improving the design, leading to the P5M-2 (later redesignated SP-5B), which featured even better performance and technology. Some early P5M-1 models were also converted into training aircraft and renamed TP-5A after 1962.

U.S. Navy Service & Missions

The P5M Marlin played a major role in naval patrol and surveillance during the Cold War era. It was primarily used for: ✈ Maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare ✈ Search and rescue missions ✈ Reconnaissance and surveillance One of its most notable missions was during Market Time patrols in Vietnam. Starting in February 1965, VP-40 squadron used the Marlins to monitor enemy supply routes along the South Vietnamese coast. These aircraft operated from seaplane tenders and patrolled between Phú Quốc and Vung Tàu, helping to prevent North Vietnamese forces from transporting weapons and supplies.

The Final Flights of the P5M Marlin

The last U.S. Navy flying boat missions were carried out by VP-40, marking the end of an era for seaplane operations.

• November 6, 1967 – VP-40 flew the final Marlin flight to San Diego Bay.
• July 12, 1968 – The last P5M (now designated SP-5B) was sent to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland for storage.

Although originally intended for display at the Smithsonian Institution, the final Marlin was later moved to the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, Florida, where it remains on display today as a tribute to U.S. Navy aviation history.

Why the Martin P5M Marlin Was Special

✅ Last operational flying boat of the U.S. Navy ✅ Improved design for better patrol and reconnaissance ✅ Served in Cold War and Vietnam War surveillance missions ✅ Now preserved in a museum for future generations to admire The P5M Marlin remains an iconic symbol of U.S. Navy seaplane operations, bridging the gap between World War II-era flying boats and modern land-based patrol aircraft like the P-3 Orion. LOCKHEED MARTIN, P-5 Marlin™, associated emblems and logos, and vehicle body designs are registered trademarks or trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation in the USA and/or other jurisdictions, used under license by Squadron Nostalgia LLC.