Consolidated PBY Catalina

Avgeek 🇬🇧

1h ago · © Unknown

Front view of a rare Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat in US Navy WWII-era livery on display at an airshow.

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Aircraft

PBY Catalina PBY5A

US Navy WWII-era markings

Manufacturer

Consolidated

Gear

Canon PowerShot SX530 HS 4.3-215.0 mm

Achievements

Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Military Maverick

3 badges earned

Photo grade

Bronze

Score: 71.0

Aircraft is impressive but people, cones, and tents clutter the frame, pulling focus from the subject.

Insights

Aviation History

The PBY Catalina was one of the most versatile and iconic flying boats of World War II, used extensively for reconnaissance, search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare, and patrol.

Fleet Rarity

Fewer than 30 airworthy examples exist worldwide, though hundreds were built.

Record Flights

The model was involved in notable long-range reconnaissance and rescue missions over the Pacific and Atlantic during WWII.

Safety & Events

PBY Catalinas were instrumental in the rescue of downed airmen and survivors of shipwrecks; they also spotted the Japanese fleet at Midway.

Future Outlook

Most surviving airframes are in museums, private collections, or flown in airshows.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines

Engine

31.7 meters

Wingspan

19.46 meters

Length

4,030 kilometers

Range

178 kilometers per hour

Speed

6-10 crew (maximum 22 with troops)

Capacity

16,066 kilograms

MTOW

6.15 meters

Height

Not applicable—radial piston engines (each approx. 1,200 hp)

Thrust

NA (Pre-ICAO noise regulation era)

Noise