Skiplanes & Seaplanes | PBY Catalina Flying Boat
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | PBY Catalina Flying Boat The numerous PBY Catalina flying boats, one of the most recognizable WWII warbirds, are still being flown today. PBY was the most widely used patrol plane in WWII. Nicknamed the “Cat,” or “P-boat,” or the “Canso” in Canadait, it saw combat in every theater of the war. In the Pacific theater with Its ability to stay airborne for hours and its 2500+ mile range, it served as the eyes of the fleet. Armed with bombs, depth charges and torpedoes, the PBY took the war to the enemy protecting merchant ships from submarine attack and raiding enemy ships using night radar. Still, it will likely be most remembered as a search and rescue (SAR) aircraft that could land in the water to pick up survivors of sunken ships or pilots shot down in combat.
The Back Story This PBY Catalina Flying Boat was on the ramp when I visited Fantasy of Flight located about half way between Tampa and Orlando. They have about 200 restored aircraft including a B-26 bomber, a B-25 bomber, and a B-24 bomber as well as many other WWII warbirds. And, most of their warbirds are airworthy. My time was limited for photog activities, but this PBY was just too cool to pass up.
