What was the PBY Catalina used for?

The amphibious Consolidated PBY Catalina was a versatile, highly-effective military aircraft before, during and after WWII. They were used in anti-submarine warfare, bombing missions, convoy escort duties, search-and-rescue missions, and cargo transport.

How many PBY Catalinas shot down?

In the aftermath of the battle the PBYs rescued 41 American airmen shot down over the sea. In 1942 the Catalina also operated in support of the landings on Guadalcanal….Deployment of PBY Squadrons, 7 December 1941.

How many flying PBY Catalinas are still?

four flyable Catalinas
Only four flyable Catalinas survived, three of them because they had been aloft at the time of the Japanese attack. One of those became the first U.S. aircraft to attack the Japanese, when it bombed a midget submarine an hour before the main assault.

Was the PBY a good plane?

PBY Catalina 5A The PBY was an incredibly versatile airplane that could land on both water and land runways. They could drop torpedoes, depth charges, and bombs, while defending themselves with multiple high-caliber machine guns.

Is the PBY Catalina still used?

The Consolidated PBY Catalina is a flying boat and amphibious aircraft that was produced in the 1930s and 1940s. As of 2021, 86 years after its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as a waterbomber (or airtanker) in aerial firefighting operations in some parts of the world. None remain in military service.

What is a Naval PBY?

PBY: Catalina Designated PBY-1, sixty of the aircraft were manufactured. For the PBY designation “PB” means patrol bomber, and “Y” was the code assigned to the manufacturer, Consolidated Aircraft. When the United States entered World War II, Catalina aircraft were the principle patrol bomber utillized by the U.S. Navy.

What type of plane is a PBY?

The Consolidated PBY Catalina is a flying boat and amphibious aircraft that was produced in the 1930s and 1940s. In Canadian service it was known as the Canso. It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II.

What is the range of a PBY?

2,504 mi
Consolidated PBY Catalina/Range

What replaced the PBY?

Black Cat squadrons
The Black Cat squadrons continued to be active into 1944 with the PB4Y-2 beginning to come in service in greater numbers and replacing the PBYs, the last Black Cat squadrons returning to the U.S. in early 1945.

Can I buy a PBY Catalina?

Does TCPS plan on purchasing and operating an airworthy PBY Catalina? Yes, we are actively fundraising to purchase PBY Catalina C-FUAW from Pacific Flying Boats Ltd.

How far can a PBY fly?

The XPBY-1 had its maiden flight on 19 May 1936, during which a record non-stop distance flight of 3,443 mi (2,992 nmi; 5,541 km) was achieved.

What are Catalinas used for in the military?

Catalinas were employed by every branch of the U.S. military as rescue aircraft. A PBY piloted by LCDR Adrian Marks (USN) rescued 56 sailors in high seas from the heavy cruiser Indianapolis after the ship was sunk during World War II. When there was no more room inside, the crew tied sailors to the wings.

What is the Catalina firebomber in the opening scene?

The opening features a Catalina firebomber in one of the most memorable aviation movie intros ever shot. PBYs were slow, but they carried a substantial load, and their low-speed capability enhanced the accuracy of retardant drops.

What was the name of the Consolidated PBY Catalina?

Consolidated PBY Catalina. The Consolidated PBY Catalina, also known as the Canso in Canadian service, is an American flying boat, and later an amphibious aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft.

What happened to the Catalina flying boat?

With the end of the war, all of the flying boat versions of the Catalina were quickly retired from the U.S. Navy, but the amphibious versions remained in service for some years. The last Catalina in U.S. service was a PBY-6A operating with a Naval Reserve squadron, which was retired from use on 3 January 1957.