RAF Warplanes: Martin Mariner I (PBM-3B)
(IWM Photo, ATP 12363F)
Martin Mariner I, No. 524 Squadron RAF.
No. 524 Squadron was formed at RAF Oban, Argyll and Bute in Scotland on 20 October 1943 to operate the Martin PBM Mariner flying boat. The squadron’s role was to introduce the Mariner into RAF service. By the end of 1943 the aircraft was ready for operations but the RAF had decided not to operate the type and the squadron was disbanded on either 7 December 1943 or 29 January 1944. (Wikipedia)
Developed during the late 1930s, the Mariner was designed to complement the Consolidated PBY Catalina and PB2Y Coronado then in service with the United States Navy (US Navy). The Mariner entered service with the US Navy in September 1940; it was the principal customer for the type, of which 1,366 flying boats were built. In addition to the US Navy, various other operators for the type emerged, including the United States Coast Guard, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and the Argentine Navy. Only one fully-intact example has been preserved. (Wikipedia)
(Dave Smith Photo)
Martin Mariner PBM-3B (Serial No. JX103) outside Fryars House, North Wales, UK.
(IWM Photo, MH 5017)
Royal Air Force Coastal Command Martin PBM-3B Mariner I (Serial No. JX103) of No. 524 Squadron at Oban, Scotland, in October 1943. The squadron was assessing the aircraft, but in the end the type was not adopted by the RAF, and in 1944 No. 524 re-equipped with the Vickers Wellington XIII.
The RAF acquired 32 Mariners, designated Mariner I, (PBM-3B), but they were not used operationally, with some returned to the United States Navy. The Martin PBM Mariner is a twin-engine patrol bomber flying boat designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Glenn L. Martin Company. It was active during both the Second World War and the early Cold War era.
The initial Mariner made an appearance in August 1943, but it was decided that as the aircraft received was not fully representative of the type, Saro would not undertake modifications. Nevertheless, a further ten of the type were delivered to Beaumaris.
A pilot from 524 Squadron test flew JX105 on October 27, 1943, and flew it to its new base at Oban a few days later. However, trials at Helensburgh revealed shortcomings in the Mariner’s operational capabilities and the programme was halted as rapidly as it had begun. (Dave Smith)