Martin P6M SeaMaster

The Martin P6M SeaMaster was a large, swept‑wing, jet‑propelled flying boat developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company for the United States Navy in the early 1950s. Intended to replace the older P5M Marlin, the SeaMaster combined the range of a strategic aircraft with the ability to operate from water, promising long‑range maritime patrol, anti‑submarine warfare, and strike missions without dependence on conventional runways. Its six Allison J33 turbo‑jets were mounted in twin pods under the high‑mounted wing, giving a maximum speed of about 590 mph and a service ceiling near 35 000 ft. The hull featured a stepped design and retractable wingtip floats, while a large internal bomb bay accommodated torpedoes, depth charges, and nuclear weapons. First flight occurred on 2 March 1954, and the prototype entered service trials in 1955. Although the program showed promise, escalating costs, the emergence of land‑based jet patrol aircraft, and the 1957 “Bomber Gap” cancellation led to the order’s termination in 1959 after only three airframes were built. The SeaMaster remains a unique example of Cold‑War‑era ambition, illustrating the transitional period between propeller‑driven seaplanes and modern carrier‑based jet operations.

Glenn L. Martin Company

Martin P6M SeaMaster

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