PB2B-2 Catalina

The PB2B‑2 Catalina was Boeing’s licensed version of the Consolidated PBY‑5A flying boat, produced for the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945. Built at Boeing’s Seattle plant, the aircraft combined the robust hull and twin‑engine configuration of the original design with Boeing’s manufacturing expertise, resulting in over 250 units that served primarily in anti‑submarine warfare, maritime patrol and search‑and‑rescue missions during World War II. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑1830 Twin Wasp radial engines, the PB2B‑2 could cruise at 150 kt and achieve a range exceeding 2,500 nm, allowing prolonged ocean‑screening patrols. Its large, unobstructed hull housed a crew of five to eight, equipped with radar, depth‑charge racks, and .50‑calibre machine guns, while a spacious internal bay accommodated up to 4,800 lb of bombs, torpedoes, or rescue equipment. The aircraft’s amphibious capability enabled land‑based operations from runways as well as water takeoffs and landings, greatly expanding operational flexibility. The PB2B‑2 Catalina proved decisive in sinking enemy submarines, protecting convoys, and rescuing downed airmen, cementing its reputation as a versatile workhorse. Its legacy endures as a benchmark for multi‑role maritime aircraft, influencing post‑war designs such as the P‑3 Orion and modern amphibious platforms.

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