1/144 Martin P4M-1/-2 Mercator

Anigrand Craftswork - 1/144 Martin P4M-1/-2 Mercator. Includes BONUS kits of Grumman XTB2F-1, Douglas XSB2D-1 Destroyer, Brewster SB2S-4 Buccaneer In 1944, the U.S. Navy experienced that faster land-planes like the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and Consolidated PB4Y Privateer had been useful as well in the war, this need not be limited to flying boats only. The requirement for a much more formidable ocean patrol land-plane, with longer range, better sensors, and greater weapons load was issued. Martin proposed the unusual featured P4M Mercator that was powered by a combination of piston engines and turbojets to the Navy. Other design included in the competition was the Lockheed P2V Neptune. The Navy chose the cheaper P2V Neptune for the maritime patrol requirement, but nineteen P4M Mercators were ordered in 1947 for high-speed minelaying purposes as the fast and heavily armed Mercators were better suited to bombing and mine-laying missions in hostile airspace than to antisubmarine patrol. In 1950. most Mercators were stationed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland and later Port Lyautey in Morocco. Beginning in 1951, they were modified for electronic reconnaissance as P4M-1Q's.