PBY-4 Catalina

The Consolidated PBY‑4 Catalina was the fourth production variant of the iconic amphibious flying boat that first entered service in the late 1930s. Built by Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego, the PBY‑4 incorporated a more powerful Pratt & Whitney R‑1830‑92 Twin Wasp radial engine, upgraded navigation and radio equipment, and a reinforced hull that improved seaworthiness. First delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1940, the type saw extensive action throughout World II, performing long‑range maritime patrol, anti‑submarine warfare, convoy escort, and air‑sea rescue missions. Its 27‑foot‑wide wing, high‑mounted gull configuration and retractable tricycle landing gear allowed seamless transition between water and land operations, a capability that proved decisive in the Pacific theatre. Over 1,000 Catalinas of all variants were built, and the PBY‑4 alone logged thousands of flight hours, famously rescuing downed airmen during the Battle of Midway and the Guadalcanal campaign. The aircraft’s endurance of up to 15 hours and payload capacity of 4,000 pounds made it a versatile workhorse, influencing post‑war maritime patrol designs and cementing its legacy as one of the most successful flying boats in aviation history.

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