Consolidated PBY Catalina Flying Boat
by: RLindsey
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Word Count: 278
Beginning production in the 1930s, the PBY is the most used flying boat in the world. The Catalina was indispensable in both the Atlantic and the Pacific during World War II. The PBY sunk several submarines and engaged in uncounted rescue missions. One Catalina pilot, Lieutenant Nathan Gordon, received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Lt. Gordon pulled within 600 yards (550 meters) of Japanese guns, not once, but four times on the same rescue mission and took off overloaded. One humorous use of these planes is after a night bombing run empty beer bottles would be dropped on the enemy. The falling bottles had a whistling sound like bombs and would allow the planes to make their escape. There always seemed to be plenty of empty beer bottles, and this was a good way to dispose of a few. They last one was retired from United States military service in 1957.
Length: 63 feet 10 inches (20.4 meters)
Wingspan: 104 feet (31.7 meters)
Speed: 169 mph (272 km/h)
Ceiling: 14, 700 feet (4,480 meters)
Range: 2,545 miles (4,095 km)
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp Radials
Crew: 7-9
Fleet Air Arm Patrol Bomber. Series C, Number Forty. Known to our Navy as the Consolidated PBY this patrol bomber is called the “Catalina” by the R.A.F. Two Pratt & Whitney 1050 h.p. Wasps give a top speed of 200 m.p.h. Its exceptionally long range makes it ideal for Britain’s Battle of the Atlantic, protecting convoys against submarines and surface raiders. Service ceiling of 24,000 feet is high for a large boat. Co-operation of Flying and Popular Aviation. This is one of a series of fifty pictures of Modern Airplanes packed with WINGS Cigarettes
About the Author
Robert M. Lindsey http://lindseyfreelancing.com/
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