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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new feature.
Today, I am presenting the very last seaplane to serve with the French Navy: the P5M-2 Marlin.
In the mid-1950s, French naval aviation was operating a number of seaplanes from the African coast for patrol, anti-ship, and anti-submarine missions. However, these aircraft were aging, and their maintenance had become a major issue; the primary aircraft in use was the Sunderland, a British seaplane dating back to before World War II. Consequently, an order was placed with the United States, which was then operating the latest version of the Marlin: the P5M-2. This version differed significantly from the World War II-era model; re-engined to carry a heavier payload, the aircraft now lacked defensive armament and focused exclusively on anti-ship and anti-submarine roles.
In 1957, the French Navy ordered around ten Marlin aircraft; several crews were sent to the United States for training before returning in 1959 with the first planes destined for France, which were drawn from US military stocks. Assigned to Flotilla 27F, the Marlins were deployed to bases in the Maghreb; at the time, France was in the midst of the Algerian War, and foreign vessels were making night-time approaches to land weapons, supplies, and equipment for Algerian independence forces. The Marlins were tasked with patrolling the Atlantic and the Mediterranean to detect and identify any ships present in these areas. The aircraft will receive various camouflage schemes and markings during their service, making them particularly easy to distinguish.
The Marlins’ service career with the French forces was remarkably uneventful; indeed, not a single aircraft was lost or even seriously damaged before their retirement, earning them a reputation as robust and exceptionally reliable planes. In 1964, following the conclusion of operations in the Algerian War, the Marlins were returned to the United States—flown back by their French crews. This marked the end of seaplane operations within the French military and the disbanding of Flotilla 27F.
Characteristics
Length : 30.18 m
Width : 36.00 m
** Height :** 10.60 m
Mass :
- Empty : 21 310 kg
- Max : 33 180 kg
The aircraft is powered by two 3,700 hp Wright T.3350-32 engines, enabling it to reach a top speed of 395 km/h at sea level and a service ceiling of 7,300 m. Its range at a cruising speed of 240 km/h is 5,000 km unladen and 3,300 km fully loaded. For short takeoffs, the aircraft is equipped with two sets of four JATO units to accelerate more quickly to lift-off speed. It should be noted that the landing gear found on the initial version was removed during the aircraft’s service life to convert it into a pure seaplane.
The crew is composed of 11 persons.
Equipment
One of the aircraft’s key features is the use of the AN/APS-44 radar housed in the large nose radome; this I-band radar enables the detection of ships and submarine periscopes in the forward sector, thereby significantly enhancing the aircraft’s capabilities.
Weapons
This version of the Marlin simply lacks defensive armament, as all turrets have been removed to make way for either radars or observation posts.
Offensive armament:
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In hold :
- 4 x 980 kg torpedoes
- 4 x 900 kg bombs
- 4 x 900 kg mines
- 8 x 450 kg mines
- 16 x 230 kg bombs
- 16 x 150 kg depth charges.
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Under the wings :
- 8 x 450 kg mines
- 8 x 450 kg bombs
- 8 x rockets launcher
In-game, this aircraft would be an interesting addition, introducing an anti-submarine warfare plane that is highly effective in its role but completely devoid of defensive capabilities—making for compelling gameplay and a balancing challenge that would not be straightforward.
