Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
Consolidated Aircraft · United States · first flew 1941 · transport aircraft
The PBY-5A is the definitive amphibious variant of the Consolidated Catalina, adding a retractable tricycle undercarriage to the flying boat hull to enable operations from both water and land.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Mid-fuselage observation blisters, large rudder above waterline |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Amphibious Catalina with retractable tricycle undercarriage in hull sponsons
- Twin R-1830 radials on strut-mounted parasol wing above hull
- Mid-fuselage observation blisters, large rudder above waterline
The retractable wheeled undercarriage stored in sponsons on either side of the lower hull is the clearest differentiator from the pure flying-boat PBY-5; otherwise silhouette is identical.
Specifications
- The Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina has a length of 19.45 m (64 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 31.7 m (104 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 288 km/h (179 mph).
- Typical crew: 8.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Consolidated developed the amphibious PBY-5A in response to operational demand for greater flexibility, with the first examples delivered to the US Navy in late 1941. It saw extensive service in the Pacific and Atlantic theatres in patrol, search-and-rescue, and anti-submarine roles. Production continued into 1945, with examples built by Boeing Canada (PB2B) and Naval Aircraft Factory (PBN-1).
Variants
The -5A added the wheeled amphibious capability missing from the pure flying-boat -5; the Canadian Canso A was an equivalent amphibian built by Canadian Vickers and Boeing Canada.
Where you'll see it
Served with the US Navy, USAAF (OA-10), RAF Coastal Command, RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF, and many other operators; surplus examples became fire-fighters and bush transports post-war.
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