Customer Reviews

The Fighting Flying Boat: A History of the Martin PBM Mariner

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Bought this book as a birthday present for a WWII Naval veteran of the PBM's. He swears it's the most accurate history of the plane he's ever read.

Extensive list of casualties, each crew member by name. Also extensive bibliography. Covers broad spectrum of Mariner history. Selected action reports. Good history of support ships and Seaplane Tenders.

This book is every Navy seaplane pilot or aircrewman's book. The PBM Mariner was a great airplane, and it's history in naval aviation is without question. Long before aircraft could fly nonstop, the Mariner was always on station running surveillance, SAR missions, combat patrols, and many other missions too numerous to mention. Author Richard Hoffman has done a magnificient job of chronically documenting the Mariner's accomplishments and missions, and pays just tribute to the men who ran the gauntlet of the oceans to keep them free and accessible for all ocean going vessels. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in naval air and seaplane history. It's well worth the price.

Being the nephew of three Navy pilots who were in VP squadrons made this book a "must read" for me. The book is well researched and documented. The Martin PBM had major problems with its engines in World War II and this caused the loss of many Navy personnel. I believe that this book is a must for individuals interested in the true story of World War II.