Warbird Information Exchange

The Fantasy of Flight PBY thread got me thinking...

How many surviving PBY's, airworthy or not, have bonified combat records?
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

the Canso we have here was suposed to have attacked a U-boat, no confirmation of it. It is 11047, ex Buffalo 703.

This particular aircraft was taken on strength (TOS) with the RCAF on 24 Feb 1944 and served until struck off strength (SOS) 26 Apr 1962. It first served with 160 BR Sqn RCAF from its TOS date until June 1945 when 160 squadron was disbanded.

The flying example in Holland has a U-boat kill.

Dave

Catalina A24-88 at the Australian National Aviation Museum has combat mission history as a RAAF "Black Cat" with 42 Squadron as "RK-A" in the Pacific.


http://aarg.com.au/Catalina.htm


regards

Mark Pilkington



The PBY Catalina held in the AARG collection was delivered in March 1944 and served with RAAF 42 Squadron as “RK-A”, a mine laying “Black Cat” and was disposed of in January 1948 at Lake Boga were it was sold and dismantled and used as a house boat for many years on the Murray River until recent acquisition by the Museum.

It is one of 1418 PBY-5A Amphibians built by Consolidated in the USA of a total of 3272 produced, the remainder being pure Flying Boats, the design first flew on 1 September 1936 and remained in production for ten years servicing with most allied airforces including those of USA, Britain, Canada, Australia, NZ and Russia.

It is one of 46 such PBY-5A Amphibians delivered the RAAF during WW2, of a total of 168 of various models, and is the last remaining RAAF PBY-5A of a total of 46 delivered and operated by the RAAF in WW2 in the defence of Australia.

It is the sole remaining example of some 29 such PBY-5A Amphibians modified in Australia by the RAAF through a 1,500 manhour program at RAAF Lake Boga to remove the amphibian undercarriage and convert these aircraft back to pure Flying Boat configuration to increase payload and operational range., these aircraft were re-designated as PBY-5A(M) to denote their modification.

It is considered significant nationally to Australia as the sole remaining participant in the longest minelaying mission of the Pacific war when RAAF Catalina’s flew on a 9000 mile mission with USN Catalinas to mine Manila Harbour, to stop Japanese ships from attacking the forces of General Douglas McArthur.

It is understood to be the only remaining Catalina of any model remaining from RAAF service with any documented operational history as a “Black Cat”.
(Two other ex RAAF Catalina’s survive at Lake Boga, A24-30 PBY-4/PBY-5? Composite, and Powerhouse Museum VH-ASA PB2B, while two other PBY’s exist in Australia from more recent imports)

While A24-88 only exists today as a stripped and incomplete fuselage, the Museum has recently located a large number of Catalina parts available in the USA and has placed a holding deposit on these items with the view undertaking a long term restoration of A24-88 to external complete static display.

These parts include:
Wing Centre Section,
2x Wing Outer Panels,
Ailerons,
Leading and Trailing edges
Wing Floats,
Tailplane, & Elevators,
Fin and Rudder,
Bow Turret
PBY-5 Beaching Gear.

It is hoped to eventually display A24-88 in its modified Flying Boat configuration mounted on its Beaching Gear.

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20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"

The Fighter Factory PBY, 9521C, BU 48294, is a combat veteran. It first flew Oct. 23, 1943, with E. Graham and W. Hammond at the controls. Whats unique about this airplane , is that all the original flight logs from first production test flight thru its combat tours still exist. Initially with VPB-92 as P-3, it flew with depth charge and torpedo racks, from Agadir and Casablanca Morocco.
Hopefully, the airplane will be seen at more events in the future. The Liberty Belle has kept me pretty busy, and I only flew one show with the PBY this past year - Andrews. Over the last 2 yrs, we have actually discussed touring the Cat on a ride program. But, havent acted on that idea. Of all events, I would like to take it back to Reading.

Another thought, although it can be substantiated, Charlie Clements' PBY N287, Bu 48287, is only seven serial #'s earlier than the Fighter Factory Cat. Speculation would suggest it went to a combat theatre. But, know one has been able to determine that with certainty. This Cat was converted to a Super in the late 1950's, and of course sports the 2600's. Previously, I flew it for 2 years. It would be interesting to know if combat history did exist for this airframe.