Consolidated P2Y

The Consolidated P2Y was a twin‑engine patrol seaplane built by Consolidated Aircraft in the early 1930s for the United States Navy. Developed from the earlier P2M and XPB‑1 prototypes, the P2Y first flew in 1931 and entered service in 1933 as the Navy’s primary long‑range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Its hull was of all‑metal construction, a departure from the wooden designs of the era, and it featured a high‑mounted wing with a large, retractable water‑plane for easy take‑off from open seas. Powered by two 750‑horse‑power Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial engines, the aircraft could reach 150 mph and a range of over 2,000 miles, allowing it to patrol the vast Pacific theater. Defensive armament consisted of several dorsal and ventral gun stations, while its bomb bays could carry depth charges or torpedoes for anti‑submarine warfare. The P2Y’s reliability and endurance proved crucial during the interwar period, providing the Navy with valuable experience in long‑duration over‑water operations that later informed the design of World War II flying boats such as the PBY Catalina. Though only 30 units were built, the P2Y established Consolidated’s reputation for robust, ocean‑capable aircraft and marked a significant step in the evolution of American maritime patrol aviation.

Consolidated Aircraft

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