The Consolidated PBY Catalina is an American flying boat and amphibious aircraft that entered United States Navy service in 1936, used extensively during the Second World War for long range maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare and air-sea rescue. Its long endurance and ability to operate from open water made it valuable across every theater of the war, and it was produced in greater numbers than any other flying boat in aviation history.
Facts
SignificanceThe PBY Catalina was one of the most widely used flying boats and amphibious aircraft of World War II, serving with every branch of the United States armed forces and many other nations' air forces and navies. 1 Manufacturer or Builder FAQs
Why is the PBY called the Catalina?
The Royal Air Force named it after Santa Catalina Island, California.
The name came from Britain. The Royal Air Force named the aircraft the Catalina, after Santa Catalina Island, California.
How did the PBY Catalina operate from land when early versions were true flying boats?
The PBY-5A added a retractable undercarriage in 1939, giving it the amphibian ability to come down on land as well as water.
The PBY-5 and all earlier versions could land only on water, and sailors had to wrestle them ashore on wheeled beaching gear, a slow and difficult process. Consolidated first flew an improved PBY-5A with a retractable undercarriage in November 1939, and that amphibian capability made the Catalina ideal for rescue squadrons.
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Sources
1. Wikipedia: Consolidated PBY Catalina
WikipediaInfobox aircraft, manufacturer field
manufacturer = Consolidated Aircraft
Lead section, paragraph 2
On 21 March 1935, the XP3Y-1 made its maiden flight; service trials commenced soon thereafter.
Lead section, paragraph 1
It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II. Catalinas served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces as well as in the air forces and navies of many other nations.
In Group: Patrol and Bomber Flying Boats, Lead sentence
The Consolidated Model 28, more commonly known as the PBY Catalina (United States Navy designation), is an American flying boat and amphibious aircraft designed by Consolidated Aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s.
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