Maybe not the best nuclear bombers but I'm in love with flying boats! Aviation without being imprisoned by landing gear and runways unleashes it's full potential

Hmmm ... I wish they had kept one for a museum.

Another plane I've never heard of, thanks for sharing this. You should make a video about the PBY Catalina, an amazing sea plane.

The footage of some propeller seaplanes was a bit confusing 🤔

I live in Baltimore and it has always had it's endless locations created and used by the military. The old bases and camps are exciting to tour anytime.

"Nuclear Bombers don´t surf." Colonel Kilgore, drunk.

They should try that with the A10, engines are up high already:) “A swarm of A10s came out of the ocean!!”

Looks like an ekranoplan with proper wings.

Such a beautiful bird. I tried to find a model of it, then tried making one from pictures as a kid. My skills as a preteen we're not up to the task.

I want to see the catamaran built from wingtip floats. That sounds awesome.

Your videos are now my addiction. I LOVE learning about all the planes that I saw as a kid in a book. This is amazing! Thank you

So much aviation innovation was cancelled because it wasn't necessary in a world with ICBMs... Then again, ICBMs got us into space...

Always love learning what's out there. And what happened in the early days. Impressive.

I like these mini-documentaries, but someone REALLY needs to step up their proofreading game.

This and the Sea Dart are two aircraft on my _'Should've been put into full-scale production/use and preserved in museums'_ list. It is a little eyebrow raising when you include film of the Mariner when the Sea Master is the focus. It is obvious that they are two different aircraft.

An advanced technology bomber designed and built in Baltimore. Can you imagine that happening today? I can't.

As a kid I remember seeing and hearing the Seamaster. My dad worked at Glen L. Marting in Middle River. I have many pictures of the Seamaster and built the kit years ago. I am now 77 and buiding another model of the Seamaster that was reissued under the Atlantis Model Company.

The most graceful, beautiful heavy EVER.

I'm digging these sea planes. Let's see more!

Wow, I had no idea the jet-powered, four-engine SeaMaster repeatedly could "morph" into a propeller-driven, two-engine seaplane (a Martin P5M?) LIKE MAGIC!!! [Nb. Unless, of course, that was the usual "Dark Skies" approach, e.g., we don't give a damn if the photos have nothing to do with the content?]

Makes the Ekranoolan seem a little less crazy. Speaking of crazy, I still find the concept of aircraft powered by nuclear engines terrifying

should make a video on the JRM mars flying boats, great history and some are still functional today!

One of my favorites. Its so cool!!

I love these videos, but am put off by a sloppiness in the choice of illustrative videos. For example, in several instances in this presentation, propeller-driven seaplanes are shown, having nothing to do with the topic at hand. Certainly, it is hard to find authentic videos, but obviously irrelevant videos should be avoided. An unnecessarily distraction in an otherwise exemplary presentation.

The last time I saw plumes of exhaust like that it was from a VW

Now you have to do a video on the SeaMaster's escort- the Convair F2Y Sea Dart!

I'm surprised they don't use sea planes more often nowadays....

Always a fan of the background music.

Little known fact about the P6M, Adm Rickover was known to hate the P6M and believed that the Navy had no business having a nuclear capable bomber, surprisingly he had asked to see a demonstration of the plane and it was hoped that after he saw what the plane was capable of, he would give his support and approval of the program, instead he pulled up to the plane,looked at it then drove off, never getting out of his car. Sad to see what could have been.

VERY interesting! I have never heard of this effort. Upon first observation of the craft, I was reminded of the akronoplan design but realized this was a flying boat.

Maybe the best looking flying boat ever

I always thought that the seaplane technology was cool. Too bad they are almost gone.

I love your videos, I really don't comment much here because you do an immaculate job, clean and concise. The music was a tad much this time at about the 1/2 mark. Your voice and style are all that's needed.

Waiting for the dark seas episode on that catamaran

Why are piston engined seaplanes repeatedly interspersed in this report?

Thanks

I’ve always considered that seaplane nuclear weapon delivery system as a smart project for its time. It’s deployment and mobile basing were a plus when considering countering an atomic first strike by the Soviets back during the Cold War. Also the aircraft looked very sleek and powerful considering its really just a floatplane. They also were simultaneously developing a tactical seaplane fighter aircraft, the Martin F2Y Sea Dart to complement it’s “sister” P6M floatplane strike bomber but I understand it was also plagued with technical problems.

After seeing that imagine a B 52 flying boat

Amazing footage.. thanks!

This would have been a great forest fire fighting aircraft.

Fascinating aircraft

Looks like a “watered down” Victor

How many different piston engine powered sea planes are you going to show while talking about the jet powered P6M1? Just curious.

Big like! Undestructible runways... What a thoughtfulness! Destroying an airport's runways makes all the aircrafts sitting ducks!

It was an interesting concept, if flawed.

Kinda looks like and reminds me of a MUCH smaller Soviet Ekranoplan, but being able to fly WAY higher and VERY MUCH faster!

Such a beautiful airframe. Its a shame that the materials and technology of the day hindered its development.

Those aircraft are so badass

It seems like the reason so many planes that never were was because the planned engines weren't available so less than ideal engines are substituted.

For how scary seaplane strike forces are, see the '50s design by Myasischev M-70 supersonic dash seaplane bomber. Seaplane striking forces are dangerous for the defenders and make an attacker's job easier. For every big CVN you can build a dozen LPDs and kits for turning merchant ships into seaplane tenders, and any open water spot can become a temporary airbase with CAP and penetration escort fighters and ASW, AEW and logistics planes supporting a strike. Spot 60 planes and take all of them off at once.

Thanks for this 👍✈️

The knowledge of seaplane limitations have been known since day one.

Neat. I love your videos - thanks for taking the time to make and share them!

Flying experimental aircraft was a dangerous game.

Some Canadian Army CH-47 Chinook Helicopter were painted the same scheme as the Sea master for a couple of years, i know so my cousin was a pilot. His best advice when piloting a Chinook -'' trust your rear end''

Another airplane I knew vey little about. Thanks for the great video.

Must have been a hell of an interesting company to work for, such advanced ideas and the bravado to pursue some out of the box thinking. Great story, well told

Amazing, very interesting, thank you.

The Philippines is developing a sea hovering aircraft will minus the nuclear weapons

I suspect this would have been an aircraft that became quickly obsolete even if it had made it into service but it's a very elegant looking aircraft, and very sad to hear none survive, especially given it was the last aircraft developed by Martin.

Couldn't quite understand why some of the footage switched from jet to prop driven. Was this an early prototype produced prior to the jet version.?

Great concept-love seaplanes

Good show dude!

If it was a swept wing then it surely looks like a B1 Lancer taking a surf

Hold on..... This thing was subsonic even with afterburners?

What a shame no prototype was preserved for history

This was such a neat plane.

This has always been my favorite plane ever

Thank you for reporting.

This aircraft existed solely because the person(s) who created the specification wording in its contract to develop and build it had the word "should" instead of "will" or "shall" in key places, which means that the plane didn't have to meet ANY of those indicated spec results ("It SHOULD work, but if it doesn't, we can give you a more expensive spec contract that says it SHALL work..."). It kept having to be redesigned again and again to finally get it to work at all and even after the fixes it never met them satisfactorily. I was told about this by one of the people who had been involved at the aircraft manufacturer, Martin, design work on this aircraft. This person was giving a talk about how proper spec evaluation is an absolute requirement when doing any contract work. He was VERY serious about how his company had been both an abuser and, later, abused by the mess that this aircraft project became. Essentially, READ THE FINE PRINT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS.

They should build a C141 seaplane for fast beach assaults. It would be dammed hard to know where they'd land troops until the plane touches water. Would need a 20mm Vulcan turret to strafe the treeline as it comes in.

Why do they include clips of other, propellor, seaplanes? Beautiful aircraft, though.

Anybody else just watch the nuclear aircraft carrier?

Totally amazing aircraft. Deserved to have one prototype survive. Has anyone noticed that the narrator sounds like Chakotay from Start Trek Voyager.

Why do you keep showing footage of an old propeller seaplane ??

Great idea

The us in 1950: “bombers don’t surf and we think they should.

Beautiful plane. Wish they kept one.

I love it!

Exceptional machine. Never should have been scraped. With todays tech these things could erase carrier groups. We could also have airport free travel for all coastal cities.

It can still come back!

I love the intense beginning music.

Cool looking aircraft

Better. A major problem with flying boats is the suction the aircraft must overcome from the hull. This was a major challenge for the Hercules, popularly known as Spruce Goose. The power needed to get airborne is vast. Another issue is the anhedral wing, which is inherently unstable. The stresses placed on the airframe would almost certainly have made their lives very short before cracks forced them out of service. The faster the flying boat flies, the worse the stress. Flutter and compressibility would make these problems worse, which explains they these aircraft were unsuccessful. The US should have invested in Ground Effect vehicles, which would have been more viable.

This concept can be use by some modern navies especially those who has aircraft carriers.... they can use these aircraft's as AWAC's or Aerial refueler or Maritime patrol or Submarine Hunting.... and they should modify them like that can Refueled and maintained by a normal fleet support vessels

This would be a great coastline transport

I wish there was more history. My Uncle Bob was the pilot of #2 when it had it's issues.

This project would seem to be well worth bringing back to life. With modern engines, the 1" skin and the possibility they had come up with an amphibious version, a plane like this might have a life span as long as the B52,

Turbo fan engine + sea water...what could possibly go wrong?

dam that looked nice

GAIJIN PLEASE

I just found out about this. Amazing. Wow.

Wouldn't be surprised if the plans went like this: "This will fly, master" "No it won't, son" "Yes it will, see master?"

One of the main thing that killed Seaplanes was the improved reliability of aircraft engines. Back in the 30's many Seaplanes could land on water and do repairs while floating or could limp to any number of primitive operating bases on Pacific islands. Now a aircraft can fly as far as it's fuel. Auto pilots take as some of the load off pilots and reliability is hardly a issue anymore due to mechanical improvements and rigorous inspection and safety standards. Last I knew India, Japan, and Russia operated big flying boats for maritime patrol due to their extensive coastlines. I think China is getting to field a new flying boat as well.

Now make a video in dark seas about the USS United States super carrier

amazing

I really wish you credited the music. it was nice, this one.

Whats with the awkward silent bits

Very cool

Informative. Beautiful isn't always the best.