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Martin XP6M-1 Seamaster -
Two aircraft were built, i.e. cn XP-1 and XP-2, with USN BuNo 138821 and 138822. According to Baugher:
138821 (c/n XP-1) first flight Jul 14, 1955. Crashed into Potomac River
near junction of St. Mary's River Dec 7, 1955. 4 killed. Accident caused by malfunction in control system which caused violent pitchdown resulting in aircraft disintegration.
138822 (c/n XP-2) first flight May 18, 1956. Crashed near Odessa, Delaware
Nov 9, 1956 due to faulty elevator jack. Crew of 4
ejected safely. |
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1 - XP6M-1 appears to be moving slowly in the water under a low sun. Martin factory photo P-57522 (AM7 $20) |
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2 - XP6M-1 in flight. (An older reprint, AM8 $10) |
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3 - XP6M-1 on the ramp. (A recent reprint, AN2, $6) |
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4 - XP6M-1 sitting quietly, tied to shore, in a low sun. I'm guessing it is the XP6M-1 because it doesn't have a BuNo on the vertical fin, like the YP6M-1's have. Martin photo P-55127. (AN3 $20) |
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Martin YP6M-1 Seamaster - According to Baugher, six aircraft were built with cn YP-1 to YP-6, and USN BuNo 143822 - 143827. He says that all six were scrapped when the program was cancelled. |
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1 - 3822, 143822, cn YP-1, the first YP6M-1, in flight. Note the nose lance, for flight test purposes. A recent reprint. Both 3822 and 3823 had the nose lance. (AM9 $6) (Same photo, older print, 5x7, AN1, $6) |
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2 - Probably 3822, 143822 in the water, shot from above. Note that, as compared to the XP6M-1, the engine inlets are moved back from the leading edge, and the engines are canted outward to get exhaust heat away from the fuselage. Martin photo. (AN5, $20) |
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3 - 3822 kicking up some spray. I suspect they did a lot of water testing before the first actual flight! Martin photo P-59554. (AN6 $20) |
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4 - Kicking up more spray now, and probably soon in flight! Well maybe so, because a documentary movie says it was underpowered and used a lot of water to get up to speed! Martin photo P-59560. (AN7 $20) |
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5 - 3822 in flight. What an incredible looking airplane! Martin photo P-59590 (AN8 $20) |
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6 - 3822 in the water again. What a shot! Martin photo P-59982 (AN9 $20) |
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7 - 3824, 143824, cn YP-3 coming out of the water in it's specially designed beaching gear. Martin photo P-60438 (AO1 $20) |
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8 - 3822 in level flight. Their maximum speed was over 600-mph! Martin photo 8P-60525-A (AO2 $20) |
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9 - 3822 in the water, probably soon after the above photo. Martin photo 8P-60627-A (AO3 $15) |
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10 - The YP6M-1 Seamaster fleet! Martin photo P-61220. (AO6 $25) From this and the next photo I believe they are:
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1:00 – 3827
Center – 3822
4:00 –
6:00 – 3825
8:00 – 3823
11:00 - |
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11 - Five of the YP6M-1 fleet from behind. Martin photo P-61201. (AO5 $25) |
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Martin P6M-2 Seamaster - According to Baugher 24 P6M-2's were originally ordered, with cn P-7 to P-30, and USN BuNo 145876 - 145899. You can see some details on his site including the fact that cn P-15 thru P30 were cancelled. |
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1 - P6M-2 model in a water tank. Note the reflection! Martin photo P-55383. (AN4 $20) |
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2 - P6M-2, probably cn P-9, BuNo 5878, 145878, with the power up! The P6M-2 did not have the anhedral (negative dihedral) of the M-1. Martin photo P-61971 (AO7 $15) |
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3 - 5878, 145878 in the air with a low sun. Martin photo P-61889 (A08 $15) |
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4 - 5878, what lines! Martin photo P-61890. (AO9 $20) (2nd one AP1 $20) |
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5 - 5878 in flight, with a March 3, 1959 press release (scroll down). Martin photo P-61894 (AP2 $20) |
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6 - 5878 crusin' along. Same photo as above but no press release. (AP3 $15) |
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7 - 5878 in the water. Note the modified forward fuselage here with much better visibility than the P6M-1, and you can see the refueling probe. See March 3, 1959 press release (scroll down). Martin photo P61972. (AP4 $25) |
