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[color=#000000]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 US military and in the air forces and navies of many other nations. In the United States Army Air Forces and later in the USAF their designation was the OA-10, while Canadian-built PBYs were known as the 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 seventy years after its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as an airtanker in aerial firefighting operations all over the world.
The initialism of "PBY" was determined in accordance with the U.S. Navy aircraft designation system of 1922; PB representing "Patrol Bomber" and Y being the code used for the aircraft's manufacturer, Consolidated Aircraft.

Hi Res

Repaint by Matt Levi


Repaint by Jens-Ole Kj

The first repaint, by Matt Levi, is perfect - airworthy but no frills.

The first repaint, by Matt Levi, is perfect - airworthy but no frills.

[color=#000000]I thought you and a few more would like that one.

Hi Larry...

Certainly brings back some memories.

The old pig boat was a handful to work, everything had to be loaded/unloade through the side dutch doors or blisters if they were installed.

Small boats, 45 gallon drums, food, mail and miscellaneous
all went through those openings.

You see where the Flight Engineer sat, up in the pylon, all he had to look at was the two engines through two little windows on either side.
We took that station out and put in a rubber bladder to haul stove and fuel oil. 

Don't think it didn't stink in the cockpit with all that fuel oil, we still smoked with the windows open...

I did not mind being an instructor pilot on them and the DC3 & 4 but the training was done on operations so there was no break in the work routine, just a little more pay.

Great shots...

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[color=#000000]Thanks Doug.