Consolidated PBY Catalina

Country of Origin: United States | Type: Seven/nine crew long range maritime patrol flying boat

Introduction

The most widely used flying boat of the Second World War, the Consolidated Model 28 first flew on 28th March 1935 under the designation XP3Y-1. Powered by two 825hp (615kW) Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasps, it beat a rival Douglas design for a US Navy order and entered service as the PBY-1 in October 1936. Sixty of these were delivered (with 900hp/671kW Twin Wasps) followed by 50 PBY-2s, 66 PBY-3s and 32 PBY-4s between 1936 and 1939, the latter with 1,050hp (783kW) Twin Wasps.

Increase in Production

That was supposed to mark the end of PBY production but the outbreak of war in Europe saw demand increase considerably with Britain, Canada, the Dutch East Indies and Australia placing orders. In British service, the aircraft was given the universally accepted 'Catalina' name while Canadian built aircraft were known as Cansos. The US Navy ordered more when war broke out and the USAAF applied the designation OA-10 to its aircraft.

Variants

Subsequent production versions were powered by 1,200hp (895kW) Twin Wasps and included the PBY-5 (first with the distinctive amid-ship 'blisters') and the PBY-5A amphibian first flown in November 1939. Between them, these models and their subvariants accounted for nearly three-quarters of all production. The PBY-6A amphibian featured taller vertical tail surfaces while other variants included the Boeing Canada built PB2B-1 and -2 flying boats and the Naval Aircraft Factory's PBN-1 Nomad with taller fin, redesigned nose and other modifications. Many of the later models featured pod mounted radar installations. Soviet built GSTs were powered by 900hp (671kW) M-87 radial engines.

Differing Roles

The Catalina served on all fronts during World War Two in a wide variety of offensive and secondary roles including anti-submarine, air-sea rescue, minelaying, bombing and transport. It was an RAF Catalina which first spotted the Bismarck in the Atlantic and the exploits of US Navy and RAAF 'Black Cats' on night strike and minelaying operations in the Pacific became legendary.

Specification

Dimensions

PBY-5 - Wingspan: 31.70 metres (104 feet)
Length: 19.46 metres (63 feet 10 inches)
Height: 5.74 metres (18 feet 10 inches)

Powerplant

PBY-5/5A - two 1,200hp (895kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radials with three bladed propellers

Weights

Empty: 7,950kg (17,526lb)
Maximum Loaded: 15,422kg (34,000lb)

Armament

up to five 0.30 inch or 0.50 inch machine guns in nose, blister and 'tunnel' positions
Maximum Bomb Load: 1,814kg (4,000lb) comprising bombs, mines or depth charges underwing