PBY-4 Flying Boat Catalina

The Consolidated PBY Catalina, also known as the Canso in Canadian service, is 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 escort, 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. As of 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.

PHOTO GALLERY

MODEL KIT

Buy PBY-4 Flying Boat Catalina 1-72 Academy at Amazon

McDonnell Douglas / Boeing F/A-18C Hornet “Ragin’ Bulls”
Messerschmitt BF109F-2/U
Bell AH-1Z “Viper”

Reader Interactions

Comments

The build looks great, but the PBY-4 did not have retractable landing gear or bubbles on the sides. It had sliding flat doors, which made it incredibly difficult for the gunners to hit anything while struggling against the 100+ knot slipstream. After landing, it would taxi close to the ramp, and the maintenance team would attach either a cradle or ‘portable’ landing gear so it could taxi up the ramp onto solid concrete.

Hello, I love the blue you achieved on this build. Do you know which shade and company you used for it? Cheers, -Robb

Primary Sidebar

Search Recent Posts

Airacobra Mk.I RAF (Bell P-39 Airacobra)
Blackburn Buccaneer S.2D
KAI T-50 Golden Eagle
Applying Putty & Sanding
Supermarine Walrus