The M-5 was a development of the earlier Maule M-4 with improved STOL performance.

The M-5 is a steel-tube and fabric high-wing braced-monoplane with a cantilever tailplane with a single fin and rudder.

It has a fixed-tailwheel landing gear and an enclosed cabin with two rows of side-by-side seating for a pilot and three passengers.

A generally similar M-6 Super Rocket was also developed with a 3-foot-longer (0.91 m) wingspan and more fuel capacity, smaller ailerons and larger flaps.

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83[1]General characteristics Performance