A US company based in Longboat Key, Florida, is aiming to resurrect production of the iconic Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat in the form of the Next Generation Amphibious Aircraft (NGAA) Catalina II. Catalina Aircraft announced the initiative on 25 July 2023 at the AirVenture Oshkosh air show in Wisconsin.
My uncle flew the PBY 5a (BLACK CATS SQUADRON) in the Pacific in 1942-43. Unfortunately, he was shot down during the Solomon Islands campaign. He and 8 of his 11 man crew were lost. Eventual investigation proved he was shot down by a U.S. navy ship while on a night scouting/submarine hunting mission.
I am so sorry for your loss, My dad was also a PBY pilot. He took some flack on a mission, It was thought to be minor (no purple heart). Much later in life he developed kidney problems which ultimately turned out to undetected fragments. It put him trough hell for years. These PBY pilots were great guys, and I regret that you missed all those years with your uncle.
The USA were not the only country to fly ‘Black Cats; they were also flown by the Royal Australian Air Force, mostly mining harbours used by the Japanese.
Giving the fact the US pivot to Indo Pacific, there will be a need for another seaplane. I think it should be wise to resurrect the pby Catalina with new engines to prolong patrol rescue and Combat.
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A US company based in Longboat Key, Florida, is aiming to resurrect production of the iconic Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat in the form of the Next Generation Amphibious Aircraft (NGAA) Catalina II. Catalina Aircraft announced the initiative on 25 July 2023 at the AirVenture Oshkosh air show in Wisconsin.
How many people were in the crew for a 1940 version of this plane ? What was the possible max number of seated people on board ?
My uncle flew the PBY 5a (BLACK CATS SQUADRON) in the Pacific in 1942-43. Unfortunately, he was shot down during the Solomon Islands campaign. He and 8 of his 11 man crew were lost. Eventual investigation proved he was shot down by a U.S. navy ship while on a night scouting/submarine hunting mission.
I am so sorry for your loss, My dad was also a PBY pilot. He took some flack on a mission, It was thought to be minor (no purple heart). Much later in life he developed kidney problems which ultimately turned out to undetected fragments. It put him trough hell for years. These PBY pilots were great guys, and I regret that you missed all those years with your uncle.
@ Thanks very much. I always wish I could have met him. My Mom said that of all his nephews and nieces, I am most like him. He will always be my hero.
The USA were not the only country to fly ‘Black Cats; they were also flown by the Royal Australian Air Force, mostly mining harbours used by the Japanese.
Giving the fact the US pivot to Indo Pacific, there will be a need for another seaplane. I think it should be wise to resurrect the pby Catalina with new engines to prolong patrol rescue and Combat.
The Canadians built PBY's as the Canso. Patrol and SAR roles.
A Gramps1 was PBY's in the Battle for the Atlantic! before Pearl. Yes he was an EWO! another a SEA BEE from pre to end.
So many canadians that seem so desperate to claim credit for the heavy lifting they never did.
Canadian Warplane Heritage has Canso flights available