Consolidated PBY Catalina
Consolidated Aircraft · United States · first flew 1935 · transport aircraft
The Consolidated PBY Catalina is the archetypal WWII long-range patrol flying boat, a slow but immensely capable amphibian recognisable by its parasol wing and rear-fuselage blisters.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Bulbous side observation blisters on the rear fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High parasol wing on a stub pylon above the hull
- Bulbous side observation blisters on the rear fuselage
- Wingtip floats that retract upward to form the wing ends
Look for the high parasol wing carried on a stub pylon above a single-step hull, two radials along the wing leading edge, and the unmistakable bulbous blisters on each side of the rear fuselage. The upward-folding wingtip floats that form the wing ends seal the identification.
Specifications
- The Consolidated PBY Catalina has a length of 19.46 m (64 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 32 m (105 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 315 km/h (196 mph).
- Typical crew: 8.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown as the XP3Y-1 prototype in 1935, the Catalina became one of the most-produced flying boats ever, with around 3,308 built across all variants. It served in maritime patrol, anti-submarine, convoy escort and air-sea rescue roles throughout the war, and a Catalina famously shadowed the Bismarck in 1941. Amphibious versions added retractable landing gear to the boat hull.
Variants
The PBY-5 was the pure flying-boat version, while the PBY-5A added retractable wheels to become a true amphibian. Canadian-built examples were designated Canso in RCAF service, and US Army versions were the OA-10.
Where you'll see it
The RAF operated the type as the Catalina Mk I to VI in Coastal Command for long-range patrol and anti-submarine work, and it was the RAF that coined the name 'Catalina'. A Canadian Vickers-built Canso, 'Miss Pick Up', flies on the UK warbird circuit and has long been associated with displays at Duxford.
Related aircraft
- Consolidated P-30A
- Consolidated A-11
- Consolidated PBY-4 Catalina
- Consolidated XB2Y-1
- Avro Anson
- Bristol Bombay
- CANT Z.506 Airone
- Dewoitine D.333
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