https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_PBY_Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina, also known as the Canso in Canadian service, was
an American flying boat, and later an amphibious aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s
produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used seaplanes
of World War II. Catalinas served with every branch of the United States Armed
Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other nations.
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 numerous aircraft of its kind and the last
active military PBYs were not retired from service until the 1980s. In 2014,
nearly 80 years after its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as a
waterbomber (or airtanker) in aerial firefighting operations all over the world.
The PBY was originally designed to be a patrol bomber, an aircraft with a long
operational range intended to locate and attack enemy transport ships at sea in
order to disrupt enemy supply lines. With a mind to a potential conflict in the
Pacific Ocean, where troops would require resupply over great distances, the
U.S. Navy in the 1930s invested millions of dollars in developing long-range
flying boats for this purpose. Flying boats had the advantage of not requiring
runways, in effect having the entire ocean available. Several different flying
boats were adopted by the Navy, but the PBY was the most widely used and
produced.
Although slow and ungainly, Catalinas distinguished themselves in World War II.
Allied forces used them successfully in a wide variety of roles for which the
aircraft was never intended. They are remembered for their rescue role, in which
they saved the lives of thousands of aircrew downed over water. Catalina airmen
called their aircraft the "Cat" on combat missions and "Dumbo" in air-sea rescue
service
Specifications (PBY-5A)
General characteristics
navigator, radar operator, two waist gunners, ventral gunner
Length: 63 ft 10 7/16 in (19.46 m)
Wingspan: 104 ft 0 in (31.70 m)
Height: 21 ft 1 in (6.15 m)
Empty weight: 20,910 lb (9,485 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 35,420 lb (16,066 kg)
(895 kW each) each
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0309
Aspect ratio: 7.73
Performance
Maximum speed: 196 mph (314 km/h)
Cruise speed: 125 mph (201 km/h)
Range: 2,520 mi (4,030 km)
Service ceiling: 15,800 ft (4,000 m)
Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
Power/mass: 0.034 hp/lb (0.056 kW/kg)
Lift-to-drag ratio: 11.9
Armament
3 .30 cal (7.62 mm) machine guns (two in nose turret, one in ventral hatch at
tail)
2 .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns (one in each waist blister)
4,000 lb (1,814 kg) of bombs or depth charges; torpedo racks were also available
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