PBY Catalina Patrol Aircraft (Battle Stations): Second World War Documentary – WW2 Documentary 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.
- Role Maritime patrol bomber, search and rescue seaplane
- Manufacturer Consolidated Aircraft First flight 28 March 1935
- Introduction October 1936, United States Navy Retired January 1957 (United States Navy Reserve) 1979 (Brazilian Air Force)
- Primary users United States Navy United States Army Air Forces Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force
- Produced 1936–1945
- Number built 3,305 (2,661 U.S.-built, 620 Canadian-built, 24 Soviet-built)
- Unit cost US$90,000 (as of 1935) Adjusted for inflation: US$1644684
- Variants Bird Innovator
