Consolidated PBY Catalina (likely PBY-5A variant)

SoonerAlum93 🌵

10 Aug 2026 · © SoonerAlum93

Here is an oldie sitting at the San Carlos Apache Airport in Arizona

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Aircraft

PBY Catalina (likely PBY-5A variant) PBY5A

White with thin red stripe (appears to be plain/utility livery, possibly ex-firebomber or private owner)

N4768M

Registration

Manufacturer

Consolidated

Gear

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Apple iPhone 15 Pro back triple camera 9mm f/2.8

Achievements

Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager

2 badges earned

Photo grade

Bronze

Score: 74.0

Great clarity on the aircraft, but the fence blocks the lower fuselage and draws attention from the eye-catching mountain backdrop.

Insights

Aviation History

The Consolidated PBY Catalina is a famous World War II flying boat and amphibian used for maritime patrol, search and rescue, and air-sea rescue. It is one of the most widely produced and recognizable flying boats.

Fleet Rarity

Very rare – fewer than 30 airworthy PBYs remain worldwide.

Record Flights

The Catalina made historic transoceanic ferry flights and conducted long-range missions throughout WWII.

Safety & Events

Surviving Catalinas have featured in Hollywood films and have performed notable rescues during and after WWII. Some have been preserved at museums worldwide.

Future Outlook

Frames like this are typically preserved, restored, or occasionally operated at airshows/firefighting. May be stored or in restoration.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial piston engines

Engine

31.7 m

Wingspan

19.5 m

Length

4,030 km

Range

179 km/h

Speed

8–9 crew, or up to 20 passengers (civilian), or 1,800 kg payload (varied by mission)

Capacity

16,065 kg

MTOW

6.15 m

Height

895 hp (668 kW) each (typical for R-1830-92)

Thrust

Typically unclassified – vintage piston aircraft

Noise