Martin P6M SeaMaster

The Martin P6M SeaMaster was an experimental strategic bomber flying boat built by the Glenn L. Martin Company for the United States Navy that almost entered service. It was conceived as part of a Navy Seaplane Striking Force, first flew as the XP6M-1 on 14 July 1955, and used Allison J71 turbojets in overwing pods to keep spray out of the intakes. Production aircraft were built and Navy crews were in operational training, with service entry expected in about six months, when the program was cancelled on 21 August 1959, the SeaMaster having been eclipsed by the Polaris submarine-launched missile. The Navy had been promoting it mainly as a high-speed minelayer, and all six examples were scrapped.