Plane Sailing's Catalina PBY-5A, based at Duxford seen at Farnborough Airshow 2010
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other nations. In the United States Army Air Forces and later in the United States Air Force their designation was OA-10. A Canadian-built PBY would be familiarly called a Canso. During World War II, PBYs were used in anti-submarine warfare, patrol bombing, convoy escorts, search and rescue missions (especially air-sea rescue), and cargo transport. The PBY was the most successful aircraft of its kind; no other flying boat was produced in greater numbers. The last active military PBYs were not retired from service until the 1980s. Even today, over 70 years after its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as an airtanker in aerial firefighting operations all over the world. The initialism of "" was determined in accordance with the Navy aircraft designation system of 1922; PB representing "Patrol Bomber" and Y being the code used for the aircraft's manufacturer, Consolidated Aircraft. Plane Sailing's Catalina PBY-5A, based at Duxford in the United Kingdom, is among the most impressive World War II aircraft still flying in Europe today. Thanks to its size, it has a presence which few planes can match, and combines this with an impressive and surprisingly tight routine. its amphibious nature allows it to be presented in different configurations, which is another rare feature which airshow audiences always appreciate. The aircraft is also an interesting static exhibit, which the public can also admire from the inside.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Farnborough Hampshire UK
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: aircraft, airshow, boat, catalina, flying, pby-5a, preserved, white
