P5M (P5) Marlin
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the P5M to the Martin Company on 26 June 1946. Martin delievered 239 aircraft to the U.S. Navy and an additional 21 for use by other organizations or countries. On 23 April 1952 VP-44 became the first squadron to receive the P5M Marlin. VP-40 was the last squadron to report the P5M (SP-5B) in its inventory on 31 October 1967. The P5M designation was changed to P-5 in 1962.
Modifications to the P5M-1 included replacing the nose turret with a large radome for the APS-80 search radar, removing the dorsal turret and raising the flight deck for better visibility. Uprated engines, 3,250 hp Wright Cyclone R-3350-30WA, were mounted in lengthened nacelles which incorporated weapons bays.
Other modifications included the P5M-2 (P-5B), which had a major redesign with a T-tail, improved crew accomodations, lower bow chine line and 3,450 hp Wright R-3350-32WA engines; the P5M-1S (SP-5A), which was fitted with AN/ASQ-8 magnetic anomaly detection equipment, Julie active echo-sounding and Jezebel passive sonobuoy detection, and the P5M-2G (PSP-5B), which was transferred to the Coast Guard with the ASW equipment removed and equipped for air-sea rescue.
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