

Martin Mariner PBM-5 , the forgotten Crew Killer.
 The career of the Martin Mariner PBM fell between that of the PBY-5A Catalina and the HU-16 Albatross, as it entered service in late 1940. While both the Catalina and Albatross became flying legends of name and fame, the Mariner failed. 
 Allegedly due to the accident prone design of an under powered aircraft. too large for even 2x R-2800 engines with 4 blade props in PBM-5 versions. As with the Catalina design, wheels were added later for an amphibian version, but the added weight and further aft CoG made this version extremely vulnerable during water landings. 
 The type was used by the US Coast Guard, US Navy, RAF & RAAF, Argentina and Uruguay and the Dutch Naval Aviation Services (MLD). They had to defend New Guinea against Guerilla intruders, sent by the Indonesian Army after their territorial claims for West Papua. For coastal patrols, MLD bought 17 'pre-owned' Mariners from the US Navy.The reputation of Crew killer was at that moment a far cry, but between 1955 and 1960, MLD lost 6 of its Mariners, most of them with fatalities.
 The aircraft was grounded after the final accident and the Dutch finally lost West Papua to Indonesia some years later. 


Martin Mariner PBM-5 

I sometimes tire of the efforts of philosophers (I would never have survived Philosophy in University) to produce a satisfactory, comprehensive definition of "Fascism".  The truth seems to be that the regimes described as "Fascist" by Left-wing agitators encompass a range of loosely connected ideologies.  Their common features are Right-wing orientation, nationalism and authoritarianism.  Beyond that, there are many variations.

Dr Salazar's Portuguese "New State" is usually regarded as "Fascist".  Well, perhaps.  It was, however, very different in many respects from other purportedly "Fascist" regimes;- even that of Italy, and certainly that of Germany.  Apart from Right-wing orientation, nationalism and authoritarianism, the "Novo Estado" was characterized by reactionary Roman Catholicism, a "ruralist" approach to the economy and to social policy, and paternalism.  Also, the gap between the official ideology and the reality was much greater than, say, in Germany.  The reality, in Portugal, was that of a prerogattive state run on pretty loose principles, largely for the benefit of a small clique of businessmen, bankers and - not to put a tooth in it - criminals willing to co-operate with state objectives in the interests of profit.  Were Germany or Italy much different ?  A big topic.  It can only be noted that official ideology (in its mature form) and reality were rather more closely connected with actual practice than was the case in Portugal.

The attached postcard/poster image was one of a series issued to Portuguese schools in 1938.  Illustrating "The Lessons of Salazar", these images reflect the official ideology of the régime.  This particular image shows the key "lesson" - that of the official slogan of the régime  "God, Fatherland and Family".  Hardly requires more comment.  Except to say that there is no mention of the Secret Police, bankers, smugglers et cetera... not sure that "God" would have felt comfortable in that company ... Best regards, JR.

"New State".

So "Join the British Union and work for PEACE". BUF manifesto, late 1939 - first 1940.
DVX