View source for Consolidated PBY Catalina

{{short description|American 1930s flying boat}}
{{Redirect|OA-10|the forward air control aircraft|Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
| name = PBY Catalina
| image = File:RIHB 2022 PBY Catalina.jpg
| caption = A restored OA-10 Catalina in [[United States Army Air Forces]] colors
| type = [[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime patrol bomber]], [[search and rescue]] [[seaplane]]
| national_origin = United States
| manufacturer = [[Consolidated Aircraft]]
| builder = [[Boeing Canada]] (PB2B) <br/>[[Canadian Vickers]] (PBV) <br/>[[Consolidated Vultee]] (PB4)<ref name="PB4"/> <br/>[[Naval Aircraft Factory]] (PBN) <br/>[[Soviet Union|Soviet]] Gidrosamolet Transportnii factory at [[Taganrog]] (GST)
| designer = 
| first_flight = 21 March 1935
| introduction = October 1936, [[United States Navy]]
| retired = January 1957 ([[United States Navy Reserve]]) <br/>1962 ([[Royal Canadian Air Force]]) <br/>1982 ([[Brazilian Air Force]])
| primary_user = [[United States Navy]]
| more_users = [[United States Army Air Forces]] <br/>[[Royal Air Force]] <br/>[[Royal Canadian Air Force]]<!-- Limited to three only --->
| produced = 1936–1945
| number_built = 3,308 (2,661 U.S.-built,<ref>Legg 2002, p. 285.</ref> 620 Canadian-built, 27 Soviet-built)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kinville |first1=Patrick |title=The Soviet PBY Catalinas of WWII |url=https://vvsairwar.com/2017/03/07/the-soviet-pby-catalinas-of-wwii/ |access-date=4 September 2020 |work=VVS AIR WAR - The Soviet Air Forces at War |publisher=VVS Warbirds |date=7 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512120802/https://vvsairwar.com/2017/03/07/the-soviet-pby-catalinas-of-wwii/ |archive-date=12 May 2019}}</ref>
| variants = [[Bird Innovator]]
}}

The '''Consolidated Model 28''', more commonly known as the '''PBY Catalina''' (U.S. Navy designation), is an American [[flying boat]] and [[amphibious aircraft]] designed by [[Consolidated Aircraft]] in the 1930s and 1940s. In [[U.S. Army]] service, it was designated as the '''OA-10''' and in Canadian service as the '''Canso''', and it later received the [[NATO reporting name]] '''Mop'''.<ref>Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1955-56 p. 188</ref> 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.  The last military PBYs served until the 1980s.

== Design and development ==
=== Background ===
The PBY was originally designed to be a [[Maritime patrol aircraft|patrol bomber]], an aircraft with a long operational [[Range (aeronautics)|range]] intended to locate and attack enemy transport ships at sea to disrupt enemy [[Military logistics|supply line]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PBY Catalina |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/aircraft-us/aircraft-usn-p/pby-catalina-aircraft.html |access-date=29 April 2024 |website=Naval History and Heritage CommandPBY: Catalina}}</ref> With a mind to a potential conflict in the [[Pacific Ocean]], where troops required resupply over great distances, the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] invested millions of dollars in the 1930s developing long-range [[flying boat]]s, which had the advantage of being able to land in any suitable waters.

=== Initial development ===
As American dominance in the Pacific Ocean began to face competition from Japan in the 1930s, the U.S. Navy contracted Consolidated, [[Glenn L. Martin Company|Martin]], and [[Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas]] in October 1933 to build competing [[prototype]]s for a patrol flying boat.<ref name="greatac">Cacutt 1989, pp. 187–194.</ref> Naval doctrine of the 1930s and 1940s used flying boats in a wide variety of roles that today are handled by multiple special-purpose aircraft. The U.S. Navy had adopted the [[Consolidated P2Y]] and [[Martin P3M]] models for this role in 1931, but both aircraft were underpowered and hampered by inadequate range and limited payloads.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Consolidated and Douglas both delivered single prototypes of their new designs, the XP3Y-1 and [[Douglas P3D|XP3D-1]], respectively. Consolidated's XP3Y-1 was an evolution of the XPY-1 design that had originally competed unsuccessfully for the P3M contract two years earlier and of the XP2Y design that the Navy had authorized for a limited production run. Although the Douglas aircraft was a good design, the Navy opted for Consolidated's because the projected cost was only $90,000 per aircraft.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1978-04-01 |title='Cause a PBY Don`t Fly that High |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1978/april/cause-pby-dont-fly-high 
| publisher = U.S. Naval Institute | journal = Proceedings| volume= 104/4/902| language=en}}</ref>

[[File:PBY Gun Blister.jpg|thumb|PBY waist gunner mounting port side gun blister (1942)]]
Consolidated's XP3Y-1 design (company ''Model 28'') had a [[parasol wing]] with external bracing struts, mounted on a pylon over the fuselage. Wingtip stabilizing floats were retractable in flight to form streamlined wingtips and had been licensed from the [[Saunders-Roe]] company. The two-step hull design was similar to that of the P2Y, but the Model 28 had a cantilever [[cruciform tail]] unit instead of a strut-braced [[twin tail]]. Cleaner aerodynamics gave the Model 28 better performance than earlier designs. Construction was all-metal, [[stressed-skin]], of [[aluminum]] sheet, except the [[aileron]]s and wing [[trailing edge]], which were [[Aircraft fabric covering|fabric covered]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://catalinaflying.org.au/catalina.htm|title=Catalina Aircraft – Description – Specifications|website=catalinaflying.org.au|access-date=31 January 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Female mechanics work on R-1830 of PBY at NAS Corpus Christi 1942.jpg|thumb|Two technicians servicing the Twin Wasp engine of a Catalina, August 1942]]
The prototype was powered by two {{convert|825|hp|kW|abbr=on}} [[Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp|Pratt & Whitney R-1830-54]] Twin Wasp [[radial engine]]s mounted on the wing's leading edge. Armament comprised four {{convert|.30|in|mm|abbr=on}} [[Browning Model 1919 machine gun|Browning]] AN/M2 machine guns and up to {{convert|2000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of bombs.

The XP3Y-1 had its maiden flight on 21 March 1935,<ref name="weggp70">Wegg 1990, p. 70</ref> after which it was transferred to the U.S. Navy for service trials. The XP3Y-1 was a significant performance improvement over previous patrol flying boats. The Navy requested further development to bring the aircraft into the category of "patrol bomber", and in October 1935, the prototype was returned to Consolidated for further work, including installation of {{convert|900|hp|kW|abbr=on}} R-1830-64 engines. For the redesignated XPBY-1, Consolidated introduced redesigned vertical tail surfaces, which resolved a problem with the tail becoming submerged on takeoff, which had made lift-off impossible under some conditions. The XPBY-1 had its maiden flight on 19 May 1936, during which a record nonstop distance flight of {{convert|3443|mi|nmi km|lk=on|abbr=on}} was achieved.

The XPBY-1 was delivered to VP-11F in October 1936. The second squadron to be equipped was [[VP-33|VP-12]], which received the first of its aircraft in early 1937. The second production order was placed on 25 July 1936. Over the next three years, the design was gradually developed further and successive models were introduced.

The aircraft eventually bore the name Catalina after [[Santa Catalina Island (California)|Santa Catalina Island, California]]; the name was coined in November 1941, as Great Britain ordered their first 30 aircraft.<ref name="Creed-p48">Creed 1985, [https://archive.org/details/pbycatalinaflyin00cree/page/48 p. 48].</ref>

=== PBN Nomad ===
The [[Naval Aircraft Factory]] made significant modifications to the PBY design, many of which would have significantly interrupted deliveries had they been incorporated on the Consolidated production lines.<ref name=janes2>Bridgeman 1946, p. 247.</ref> The new aircraft, officially known as the '''PBN-1 Nomad''', had several differences from the basic PBY. The most obvious upgrades were to the bow, which was sharpened and extended by two feet, and to the tail, which was enlarged and featured a new shape. Other improvements included larger fuel tanks, increasing range by 50%, and stronger wings permitting a 2,000&nbsp;lb (908&nbsp;kg) increase in gross takeoff weight. An auxiliary power unit was installed, along with an improved electrical system, and the weapons were upgraded with continuous-feed mechanisms.<ref name=janes2/>

After the NAF transferred ownership via Project Zebra (1944–1945), 138 of the 156 PBN-1s produced served with the Soviet Navy.<ref name="wt">{{cite book |last1=Trimble |first1=William |title=Wings for the Navy: a history of the Naval Aircraft Factory, 1917-1956 |date=1990 |publisher=United States Naval Institute |location=Annapolis |isbn=9780870216633 |pages=248–249}}</ref> The remaining 18 were assigned to training units at [[NAS Whidbey Island]] and the Naval Air Facility in [[Newport, Rhode Island]].<ref name=aeroweb>[https://archive.today/20120630020939/http://www.aero-web.org/specs/naf/pbn-1.htm "Naval Aircraft Factory PBN-1 Nomad."] ''Aviation Enthusiast Corner''. Retrieved: 14 November 2017.</ref> Later, improvements found in the PBN, such as the larger tail, were incorporated into the amphibious PBY-6A.

=== Naming ===
The designation "PBY" was determined in accordance with the [[1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system|U.S. Navy aircraft designation system of 1922]]; PB represented "Patrol Bomber" and Y was the code assigned to [[Consolidated Aircraft]] as its manufacturer. Catalinas built by other manufacturers for the U.S. Navy were designated according to different manufacturer codes, thus [[Canadian Vickers]]-built examples were designated PBV, [[Boeing Canada]] examples were PB2B (a [[Boeing XPBB Sea Ranger|Boeing PBB]] already existed), [[Consolidated Vultee]] examples were PB4<ref name="PB4">{{cite web |title=Inglasat fotografi på Tp 47 |url=https://digitaltmuseum.se/021025517930/tavla |website=digitaltmuseum.se |publisher=Swedish Air Force |access-date=2024-05-16 |quote=Inglasat foto på Tp 47 - The Consolidated Vultee Consolidated PB4-54 "Catalina" 1946-1958.}}</ref> and Naval Aircraft Factory examples were PBN. In accordance with contemporary British naming practice of giving seaplanes service names after coastal port towns, [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (RCAF) examples were named Canso, for [[Canso, Nova Scotia|the town of that name]] in [[Nova Scotia]].<ref>Gunston 1986, p. 63.</ref> The [[United States Army Air Forces]] and later the [[United States Air Force]] used the designation OA-10. U.S. Navy Catalinas used in [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|the Pacific]] against the Japanese for night operations were painted black overall; as a result, these aircraft were sometimes referred to locally as "Black Cats".

== Operational history ==
[[File:PBY-5A VPB-6(CG) over Narssarsuak Greenland 1945.jpeg|thumb|A radar-equipped PBY-5A from VP-6(CG) over Greenland, in 1945]]

=== Roles in World War II ===
The PBY was the most numerous aircraft of its kind, with around 3,300 examples built. During World War II PBYs were used in [[antisubmarine warfare]], patrol bombing, [[Convoy#Naval convoys|convoy escort]], [[search and rescue]] missions (especially [[air-sea rescue]]), and [[cargo aircraft|cargo transport]]. The type operated in nearly all operational theatres of World War II. The Catalina served with distinction and played a prominent and invaluable role in the war against Japan.

These patrol aircraft shared combat roles with land-based patrol bombers, while the very-long-range [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator|Consolidated LB-30 Liberator]] and the [[Consolidated PB2Y Coronado|Consolidated Coronado]] were pressed into service to increase the all-important logistical strategic air lift capability in the vast Pacific theater. The pairings allowed the Catalina to take on the role of eyes of the fleets at longer ranges than the [[floatplane]] scouts. Several different flying boats were adopted by the Navy, but the PBY was the most widely used and produced.

[[File:PBY 5A Catalina.jpg|thumb|PBY riding at [[sea anchor]]]]
Although the Catalina was slow, [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] forces used the aircraft in a wide variety of roles for which it was never intended. PBYs are remembered for their rescue role, in which they saved the lives of hundreds of aircrew downed over water. Catalina airmen called their aircraft the "Cat" on combat missions and "[[Dumbo (air-sea rescue)|Dumbo]]" in air-sea rescue service.<ref name="P2">Weathered, William W. "Comment and Discussion". ''United States Naval Institute Proceedings'', October 1968.</ref>

The Catalina scored the U.S. Navy's first credited air-to-air "kill" of a Japanese airplane in the Pacific War. On 10 December 1941, the Japanese attacked the [[Naval Station Sangley Point|Cavite Navy Yard]] in the Philippines. Numerous U.S. ships and submarines were damaged or destroyed by bombs and bomb fragments. While flying to safety during the raid on Cavite, Lieutenant Harmon T. Utter's PBY was attacked by three Japanese [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero]] carrier fighters. Chief Boatswain Earl D. Payne, Utter's bow gunner, shot down one, thus scoring the U.S. Navy's first kill. Utter, as a commander, later co-ordinated the carrier air strikes that led to the destruction of the Japanese battleship ''[[Japanese battleship Yamato|Yamato]]''.<ref name="USN WW2 Chronology">{{cite web | title=The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II--1941 | website=The Public's Library and Digital Archive | date=9 March 1941 | url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-Chron/USN-Chron-1941.html | access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="Catalina Martime Patrol">{{cite journal |title=Maritime Patrol Innovation: USN PBY Catalina Squadrons in the Pacific Area of Operations. 1941-1945 |journal=USMC Command and Staff College |date=15 April 2011 |last=Hollenbach |first=Jeffrey |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a600728.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127201109/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a600728.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=27 January 2021 |accessdate=2021-01-18 }}</ref>

The Catalina performed one of the first offensive operations against the Japanese by the U.S. On 27 December 1941, six Catalinas of [[VPB-29|Patrol Squadron 101]] bombed Japanese shipping at [[Jolo|Jolo Island]] against heavy fighter opposition, with four Catalinas lost.<ref name="USN WW2 Chronology" />

==== Antisubmarine warfare ====
Catalinas were the most extensively used antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft in both the [[Battle of the Atlantic|Atlantic]] and Pacific theaters of World War II, and were also used in the Indian Ocean, flying from the [[Seychelles]] and from [[Ceylon]]. Their duties included escorting the [[Arctic convoys of World War II|Arctic convoys]]  to [[Murmansk]]. By 1943, [[U-boat]]s were well-armed with antiaircraft guns and two [[Victoria Cross]]es were won by Catalina pilots pressing home their attacks on U-boats in the face of heavy fire: Flying Officer [[John Cruickshank]] of the RAF, in 1944, received the award for sinking what was believed to be [[German submarine U-347|''U-347'']] (although now known to have been [[German submarine U-361|''U-361'']]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/dieboote/u0347.html |title=''U 347'' |last=Hofmann |first=Markus |website=Deutsche U-Boote 1935–1945 – u-boot-archiv.de |language=de |access-date=26 December 2014}}</ref>) and in the same year RCAF Flight Lieutenant [[David Ernest Hornell|David Hornell]] received the decoration posthumously for the sinking of [[German submarine U-1225|''U-1225'']]. Their aircraft was damaged in the fight before it sank the U-boat, and Hornell (with two other crew) died from exposure. Catalinas destroyed 40 U-boats, but not without losses of their own. A Brazilian Catalina attacked and sank [[German submarine U-199|''U-199'']] in Brazilian waters on 31 July 1943. Later, the aircraft was baptized as ''Arará'', in memory of the merchant ship of that name, which was sunk by another U-boat.<ref>[http://www.naval.com.br/blog/2008/11/08/o-brasil-na-segunda-guerra-mundial-o-catalina-que-destruiu-o-u-199/ "O Brasil na WWII: ‘Arará’, o Catalina que destruiu o U-199" (in Portuguese).] ''naval.com,'' 8 November 2008. Retrieved: 15 February 2011.</ref>

==== Maritime patrol ====
[[File:PBY-5A VP-61 Aleutians Mar 1943.jpg|thumb|PBY-5A of [[VPB-61|VP-61]] over the [[Aleutian Islands]], 1943]]
In their role as patrol aircraft, Catalinas participated in some of the most notable naval engagements of World War II. The aircraft's [[Monoplane#Parasol wing|parasol wing]] and large waist blisters provided excellent visibility, and combined with its long range and endurance, made it well suited for the task.

An [[RAF Coastal Command]] Catalina flying from [[RAF Castle Archdale|Castle Archdale Flying boat base]], [[Lough Erne|Lower Lough Erne]], Northern Ireland, located the German battleship [[German battleship Bismarck|''Bismarck'']] on 26 May 1941, some {{convert|690|nmi|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Brest, France|Brest]]. ''Bismarck'' was attempting to evade Royal Navy forces as she sought to join other [[Kriegsmarine]] forces in Brest.{{sfn|Miller|1997|p=162}}<ref>Smith, Leonard B. [http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq118-3.htm "Bismarck: The Report of the Scouting and Search for Bismarck by Ensign Smith."] {{webarchive |url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20101205192505/http%3A//www%2Ehistory%2Enavy%2Emil/faqs/faq118%2D3%2Ehtm |date=5 December 2010 }} ''Naval History & Heritage (Frequently asked questions)'', 9 June 1941. Retrieved: 18 June 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq118-1.htm "Bismarck: British/American Cooperation and the Destruction of the German Battleship."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206202449/http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq118-1.htm |date=6 December 2010 }} ''Naval History & Heritage (Frequently asked questions)'', 4 November 2009. Retrieved: 18 June 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.iwn.iwai.ie/v29i1/ "Flying-boats in Fermanagh."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720024433/http://iwn.iwai.ie/v29i1/ |date=2012-07-20 }} ''Inland Waterways News, Inland Waterways Association of Ireland'', Spring 2002. Retrieved: 20 May 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/archdale.shtml "Castle Archdale Country Park."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501041959/http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/archdale.shtml |date=2009-05-01 }} ''Northern Ireland Environment Agency''. Retrieved: 19 July 2009.</ref> This sighting eventually led to the destruction of the German battleship.

On 7 December 1941, before the [[Battle of Kota Bharu|Japanese amphibious landings on Kota Bharu, Malaya]], their invasion force was approached by a Catalina flying boat of [[No. 205 Squadron RAF]]. The aircraft was shot down by five [[Nakajima Ki-27]] fighters before it could radio its report to air headquarters in Singapore.<ref name="Alan Warren, page 86">Alan Warren (2007), page 86</ref> Flying Officer Patrick Bedell, commanding the Catalina, and his seven crew members became the first Allied casualties in the war with Japan.<ref name="Klemen">{{cite web |first1=Klemen |last1=L |first2=Bert |last2=Kossen |first3=Pierre-Emmanuel |last3=Bernaudin |first4=Dr. Leo |last4=Niehorster |first5=Akira |last5=Takizawa |first6=Sean |last6=Carr |first7=Jim |last7=Broshot |first8=Nowfel |last8=Leulliot |url=https://warfare.gq/dutcheastindies/kota_bharu.html |title=Seventy minutes before Pearl Harbor – The landing at Kota Bharu, Malaya, on December 7, 1941 |date=1999–2000 |work=Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 1941–1942}}</ref> Patrol Wing 10 of the [[United States Asiatic Fleet#Aircraft of the Asiatic Fleet: 8 December 1941|U.S. Asiatic Fleet]] had 44 Catalinas under its command, but lost 41 within 90 days. Patrol Wing 10 also lost its main [[seaplane tender]], [[USS Langley (CV-1)|USS ''Langley'']], to Japanese aircraft during the [[Dutch East Indies Campaign]], while she was transporting 32 [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk]] fighter planes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-003/h-003-3.html |title=H-003-3 the Valor of the Asiatic Fleet |website=www.history.navy.mil |access-date=18 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.warfare.ihostfull.com/dutcheastindies/patrol_wing10.html|title=US Patrol Wing 10 in the Dutch East Indies, 1942|website=warfare.ihostfull.com|access-date= 18 September 2021}}</ref>

A flight of Catalinas spotted the Japanese fleet approaching [[Midway Island]], beginning the [[Battle of Midway]].<ref>. [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/midway/mid-1m.htm "Scouting and Early Attacks from Midway, 3–4 June 1942".] {{webarchive |url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20100413174102/http%3A//www%2Ehistory%2Enavy%2Emil/photos/events/wwii%2Dpac/midway/mid%2D1m%2Ehtm |date=13 April 2010 }} ''United States Naval Historical Center'', 1999. Retrieved: 18 June 2010.</ref>

[[File:Leonard birchall.jpg|thumb|Squadron Leader [[Leonard Birchall]] aboard a Consolidated Catalina before being shot down and captured by the Japanese near Ceylon]]
A RCAF Canso flown by Squadron Leader [[Leonard Birchall|L.J. Birchall]] foiled [[Easter Sunday Raid|Japanese plans to destroy]] the Royal Navy's Indian Ocean fleet on 4 April 1942, when it detected the Japanese carrier fleet approaching Ceylon.<ref>Greenhous et al. 1994, p. 386.</ref>

==== Night attack and naval interdiction ====
During the Battle of Midway, four U.S. Navy PBYs of Patrol Squadrons 24 and 51 made a night torpedo attack on the Japanese fleet on the night of 3–4 June 1942, scoring one hit, which damaged the fleet oiler ''[[Kawasaki-type oiler|Akebono Maru]]'', the only successful American torpedo attack in the entire battle.<ref>{{cite web |title=Online Library of Selected Images: World War II in the Pacific: Battle of Midway |url=https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/events/wwii-pac/midway/mid-1m.htm |website=Hyperwar |publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command |access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref>

During the [[Guadalcanal campaign]], some U.S. Navy PBYs were painted matte black and sent on night bombing, torpedoing, and strafing missions against Japanese supply vessels and warships, including conducting interdiction raids on the [[Tokyo Express]]. These PBYs were later called "Black Cats". Subsequently, special squadrons of Black Cats were formed, commencing in December 1942 with [[VP-20|VP-12]], with an additional 13 squadrons coming into service thereafter.<ref group=note>Black Cat squadrons included then designated as VP-11, VP-12, VP-23, VP-24, VP-33, VP-34, VP-44, VP-52, VP-53, VP-54, VP-71, VP-81, VP-91, and VP-101.</ref> Flying slowly at night, dipping to ship-mast height, the Black Cats bombed, strafed, and torpedoed all kinds of Japanese vessels, sinking or damaging thousands of tons of shipping. The Black Cats also performed bombing, strafing, and harassment regarding land-based Japanese installations, as well as conducting reconnaissance and search and rescue operations. The Black Cat squadrons continued to be active into 1944, with the [[Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer|PB4Y-2]] beginning to come in service in greater numbers and replacing the PBYs, the last Black Cat squadrons returning to the U.S. in early 1945.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Mike |title=Military History- Black Cats Rule the Night |url=https://sofrep.com/news/black-cats-rule-the-night/ |access-date=31 August 2020 |work=SOFREP |publisher=The SOFREP Media Group |date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831082522/https://sofrep.com/news/black-cats-rule-the-night/ |archive-date=31 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Crocker |first1=Mel |title=Black Cats and Dumbos: WWII's Fighting PBY's |date=1987 |publisher=Crocker Media Expressions |location=Huntington Beach, CA |isbn=0971290105 |pages=232–237, 246–247 |edition=Second |url=https://crockermediaexpressions.com/PBY/index.htm |access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref>

The [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) also [[Consolidated PBY Catalina in Royal Australian Air Force Service|operated]] Catalinas as night raiders, with four squadrons Nos. [[No. 11 Squadron RAAF|11]], [[No. 20 Squadron RAAF|20]], [[No. 42 Squadron RAAF|42]], and [[No. 43 Squadron RAAF|43]] laying mines from 23 April 1943 until July 1945 in the southwest Pacific deep in Japanese-held waters, bottling up ports and shipping routes and forcing ships into deeper waters to become targets for U.S. submarines; they tied up the major strategic ports such as [[Balikpapan]], which shipped 80% of Japanese oil supplies. In late 1944, their mining missions sometimes exceeded 20 hours in duration and were carried out from as low as {{convert|200|ft|m|abbr=on}} in the dark. Operations included trapping the Japanese fleet in [[Manila Bay]] in assistance of General [[Douglas MacArthur]]'s landing at [[Mindoro]] in the Philippines. RAAF Catalinas also operated out of [[Jinamoc Seaplane Base|Jinamoc]] in the Leyte Gulf, and mined ports on the Chinese coast from [[Hong Kong]] to as far north as [[Wenzhou]]. Both USN and RAAF Catalinas regularly mounted nuisance night-bombing raids on Japanese bases, with the RAAF claiming the slogan "The First and the Furthest". Targets of these raids included a major base at [[Rabaul]]. RAAF aircrews, like their U.S. Navy counterparts, employed "terror bombs", ranging from scrap metal and rocks to empty beer bottles with razor blades inserted into the necks, to produce high-pitched screams as they fell, keeping Japanese soldiers awake and scrambling for cover.<ref>Gaunt and Cleeworth 2000.</ref> There was a Catalina base on [[Drimmie Head]] on the [[Gove Peninsula]] in the Northern Territory.<ref name=pastmaster>{{cite web | title=Gunyangara | website=PastMasters | date=26 February 1978 | url=https://www.pastmasters.net/gunyangara.html | access-date=6 October 2020 | archive-date=10 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010103915/https://www.pastmasters.net/gunyangara.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== Search and rescue ====
[[File:CatalinaUSAF-Museum.JPG|thumb|left|Search and Rescue OA-10 at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]]]]
Catalinas were employed by every branch of the U.S. military as rescue aircraft. A PBY piloted by [[Lieutenant Commander (United States)|LCDR]] Adrian Marks (USN) rescued 56 sailors in high seas from the [[heavy cruiser]] {{USS|Indianapolis|CA-35|2}} after the ship was sunk during World War II. With no more room inside, the crew tied sailors to the wings. The aircraft could not fly in this state; instead, it acted as a lifeboat, protecting the sailors from exposure and the risk of [[shark attack]], until rescue ships arrived. Catalinas continued to function in the search-and-rescue role for decades after the end of the war.

==== Early commercial use ====
[[File:1949.01. Washing up on Catalina (Suva-Sydney) copy.jpg|thumb|upright|Flight steward Max White at work on board a commercial [[Qantas|Qantas Empire Airways]] Catalina aircraft en route from [[Suva]] to [[Sydney]] in January 1949]]
{{further|The Double Sunrise}}

Catalinas were also used for commercial air travel. For example, [[Qantas|Qantas Empire Airways]] flew commercial passengers from [[Suva]], [[Fiji]], to [[Sydney]], a journey of {{convert|2060|mi}}, which in 1949 took two days.<ref name="Max">{{cite journal |title=Jennifer Grey Goes by Air |journal=Qantas Empire Airways |date=March 1949 |volume=15 |issue=3 |page=11}}</ref> The longest commercial flights (in terms of time aloft) ever made in aviation history were the Qantas flights flown weekly from 29 June 1943 through July 1945 over the Indian Ocean, dubbed the Double Sunrise. Qantas offered nonstop service between [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] and [[Colombo]], a distance of {{convert|3592|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}}. As the Catalina typically cruised at {{convert|110|kn|mph km/h|lk=on|abbr=on}}, this took 28 to 32 hours and was called the "flight of the double sunrise", since the passengers saw two sunrises during their nonstop journey. The flight was made in radio silence because of the possibility of Japanese attack and had a maximum payload of {{convert|1000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} or three passengers plus {{convert|143|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of military and [[Diplomatic bag|diplomatic mail]].<ref>[http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/history-catalinas/global/en "The Catalinas."] ''Qantas history''. Retrieved: 26 October 2011</ref>

=== Post-World War II employment ===
[[File:PBY Catalina NAS Whidbey Seaplane Base.jpg|thumb|left|Civilian Catalina, modified for [[aerial firefighting]], arrives at the Seaplane Base, [[NAS Whidbey Island]], [[Oak Harbor, Washington]], 18 September 2009]]

An Australian PBY named "Frigate Bird II", an ex-RAAF aircraft, registered VH-ASA, made the first trans-Pacific flight across the South Pacific between Australia and [[Chile]] in 1951 by Sir [[Gordon Taylor (aviator)|Gordon Taylor]],<ref>THE SKY BEYOND, Sir Gordon Taylor</ref> making numerous stops at islands along the way for refueling, meals, and overnight sleep of its crew, flown from Sydney to Quintero in Chile after making initial landfall at Valparaiso via Tahiti and Easter Island.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://qam.com.au/qam-content/aircraft/sandringham/F-OBIP.htm |title=SHORT SANDRINGHAM F-OBIP |work=qam.com.au |access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>  One of six ordered by the RAAF was used as part of the air route across the Pacific from Sydney to Valparaiso, is in the collection of the [[Powerhouse Museum|Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences]] in Sydney.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Simpson|first=Margaret|title=Catalina flying boat 'Frigate Bird II'|url=https://collection.maas.museum/object/207900|website=Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences}}</ref>

With the end of the war, all of the flying-boat versions of the Catalina were quickly retired from the U.S. Navy, but the amphibious versions remained in service for some years. The last Catalina in U.S. service was a PBY-6A operating with a Naval Reserve squadron, which was retired from use on 3 January 1957.<ref name="greatac"/> The Catalina subsequently equipped the world's smaller armed services into the late 1960s in fairly substantial numbers.

The U.S. Air Force's [[Strategic Air Command]] used Catalinas (designated OA-10s) in service as scout aircraft in 1946 and '47.

The [[Brazilian Air Force]] flew Catalinas in naval air patrol missions against German submarines starting in 1943. The flying boats also carried out air-mail deliveries. In 1948, a transport squadron was formed and equipped with PBY-5As converted to the role of amphibious transports. The 1st Air Transport Squadron (ETA-1) was based in the port city of Belem and flew Catalinas and C-47s until 1982. Catalinas were convenient for supplying military detachments scattered along the Amazon. They reached places that were otherwise accessible only by helicopters. The ETA-1 insignia was a winged turtle with the motto, "Though slowly, I always get there". Today, the last Brazilian Catalina (a former RCAF one) is displayed at the Airspace Museum <!-- (MUSAL) --> in [[Rio de Janeiro]].<ref>[http://www.musal.aer.mil.br/catalina.htm "Consolidated Vultee 28 (PBY-5A/C-10A) Catalina."] ''MUSAL''. Retrieved: 18 June 2010.</ref>

[[File:US Navy 090925-N-9860Y-006 A PBY-6A Catalina drops a load of water from its bomb-bay doors over Crescent Harbor.jpg|thumb|A PBY-6A Catalina drops a load of water from its bomb bay.]]

Oceanographer [[Jacques-Yves Cousteau]] used a PBY-6A (N101CS) to support his diving expeditions. His second son, [[Philippe Cousteau|Philippe]], was killed in an accident in this aircraft that occurred on the Tagus River near Lisbon. The Catalina nosed over during a high-speed taxi run undertaken to check the hull for leakage following a water landing. The aircraft turned upside down, causing the fuselage to break behind the cockpit. The wing separated from the fuselage and the left engine broke off, penetrating the captain's side of the cockpit.<ref name="ASN">[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19790628-0 "ASN Aircraft accident Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina N101CS Alverca."] ''Aviation Safety Network''. Retrieved: 30 October 2011.</ref>

Air-race champion, stunt pilot, and airline operator [[Paul Mantz]] converted an unknown number of surplus Catalinas to flying yachts at his Orange County California hangar in the late 1940s and early 1950s.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

[[File:Consolidated 28-ACF N4760C FLL 14.10.75 edited-2.jpg|thumb|left|OA-10A converted by Steward-Davis Inc to their ''Super Cat'' standard. It is additionally fitted out for survey work for Geoterrex Inc]]

Steward-Davis converted several Catalinas to their '''Super Catalina''' standard (later known as '''Super Cat'''), which replaced the usual {{convert|1200|hp|kW|abbr=on}} [[Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp]] engines with [[Wright R-2600 Cyclone 14]] engines of {{convert|1700|hp|kW|abbr=on}}. A larger, squared-off rudder was installed to compensate for the increased yaw which the more powerful engines could generate. The Super Catalina also had extra cabin windows and other alterations.<ref>Legg 2002, p. 31.</ref>

[[China Airlines]], the official airline of the [[Republic of China]] ([[Taiwan]]), was founded with two Catalina amphibians.<ref>Best 2013, p. 107</ref>

===Possible revival===
In July 2023, a company called Catalina Aircraft, current holder of the type certificates for the Catalina, announced an intent to build the Catalina II, a new aircraft on the basic design principles of the original Catalina, but using turboprop engines and other modern aviation tools.<ref name=Aero>{{cite web|url= https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/catalina-aircraft-rebirth-ww2-flying-boat |title= Catalina Aircraft announces rebirth of iconic WW2 amphibious aircraft|publisher=Aerotime Hub, July 25, 2023|accessdate=October 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/iconic-catalina-flying-boat-to-be-resurrected-as-new-production-transport-category-turboprop.html |title= Iconic Catalina Flying Boat To Be Resurrected as New Production Transport Category Turboprop|publisher=Vintage Aviation News, August 4, 2023|accessdate=October 1, 2023}}</ref>  Deliveries are said to commence by 2029.<ref name=Aero/>

=== Catalina affair ===
{{main|Catalina affair}}
[[File:Catalina affair 1952 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Swedish Catalina after being shot down by Soviet MiG-15 fighters in June 1952: The air crew was saved by a nearby ship.]]
The Catalina Affair is the name given to a [[Cold War]] incident in which a [[Swedish Air Force]] search-and-rescue/maritime patrol Catalina (Swedish designation "TP 47") was shot down by Soviet [[MiG 15]] fighters over the [[Baltic Sea]] in June 1952 while investigating the disappearance of a Swedish [[Douglas DC-3]] (later found to have been shot down by Soviet MiG-15s while on a [[signals intelligence]] mission; it was found in 2003 and raised 2004–2005).

== Variants ==
An estimated 4,051 Catalinas, Cansos, and GSTs of all versions were produced between June 1937 and May 1945 for the U.S. Navy, the United States Army Air Forces, the [[United States Coast Guard]], Allied nations, and civilian customers.

=== US Navy ===
[[File:PBY-XP3Y-1 prototype NAN7-61.jpg|thumb|Prototype Model 28 XP3Y-1 flying boat, later modified and redesignated XPBY-1]]
;XP3Y-1
:Prototype Model 28 [[flying boat]] for the U.S. Navy, with two {{cvt|825|hp}} [[Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp|Pratt & Whitney R-1830-54 Twin Wasp]] engines, later modified and redesignated XPBY-1, one built (USN Bureau No. 9459).
;XPBY-1
:The Model 28 XP3Y-1 prototype modified and redesignated for the United States Navy's "patrol bomber" role, re-engined with two {{cvt|900|hp}} R-1830-64 engines, one built. Later fitted with a {{convert|48|ft}} diameter ring to detonate magnetic [[Naval mine|sea mines]]. A {{cvt|550|hp}} [[Ranger Engines|Ranger]] engine drove a generator to produce the magnetic field.<ref name="p24">Hayward, John T., VADM USN. "Comment and Discussion" ''United States Naval Institute Proceedings,'' August 1978, p. 24.</ref>
;PBY-1 (Model 28-1)
:Initial production variant with two {{cvt|900|hp}} R-1830-64 engines, 60 built.
;PBY-2 (Model 28-2)
:Equipment changes and improved performance, 50 built.
;PBY-3 (Model 28-3)
:Powered by two {{cvt|1000|hp}} R-1830-66 engines, 66 built.
;PBY-4 (Model 28-4)
:Powered by two {{cvt|1050|hp}} R-1830-72 engines, 33 built (including one initial as a XPBY-4 which later became the XPBY-5A).
;{{visible anchor|PBY-5}} (Model 28-5)
:Either two {{cvt|1200|hp}} R-1830-82 or −92 engines and provision for extra fuel tanks (with partial self-sealing protection). 683 built (plus one built at New Orleans), some aircraft to the RAF as the Catalina IVA and one to the United States Coast Guard. The PBY-5 was also built in the Soviet Union as the GST.
;XPBY-5A
:One PBY-4 converted into an amphibian and first flown in November 1939.
[[File:PBY-5A USCG at French Frigate Shoals 1953.jpeg|thumb|A United States Coast Guard PBY-5A at [[Tern Island (Hawaii)|Tern Island]] in the northwestern Hawaiian archipelago in 1953]]
;{{visible anchor|PBY-5A (Model 28-5A)}}
:Amphibious version of the PBY-5 with two {{cvt|1200|hp}} R-1830-92 engines, first batch (of 124) had one {{cvt|0.3|in}} bow gun, the remainder had two bow guns; 803 built including diversions to the United States Army Air Forces, the RAF (as the Catalina IIIA) and one to the United States Coast Guard.
;PBY-5R
:The XPBY-5A converted into a staff transport, with amphibious gear and nose turret removed and additional windows added.
[[File:PBY-6A(JMSDF).jpg|thumb|[[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] PBY-6A]]
;PBY-6A
:Amphibious version with two {{cvt|1200|hp}} R-1830-92 engines and a taller fin and rudder. Radar scanner fitted above cockpit and two {{cvt|0.3|in|1}} bow guns; 175 built including 21 transferred to the Soviet Navy.
;PBY-6AG
:One PBY-6A used by the United States Coast Guard as a staff transport.
;PB2B-1
:Boeing Canada built PBY-5 flying boat for the RAF and [[Royal Canadian Air Force|RCAF]] from 1942. 240 built.
;PB2B-1A
:Boeing Canada built PBY-5A [[amphibious aircraft]] for the RCAF from 1943. 55 built.<ref name="E. R. Johnson">{{cite book |author1=E. R. Johnson |title=American Flying Boats and Amphibious Aircraft, An Illustrated History |date=2009 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company, Inc.]] |pages=100–101 |url=https://ftp.idu.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/ebook/tdg/AMPHIBIOUS%20VECHICLE%20DESIGN/American%20Flying%20Boats%20and%20Amphibious%20Aircraft%20An%20Illustrated%20History%20by%20E.%20R.%20Johnson%20(z-lib.org).pdf |access-date=2022-10-12}}</ref>
;PB2B-2
:Boeing Canada version of the PBY-5 but with the taller PBN-1 fin. 67 built. Most to the RAF as the Catalina VI.
;PB4-54
:Consolidated Vultee version of the PBY-5A.<ref name="PB4"/>
;PBN-1 Nomad
:Naval Aircraft Factory version of the PBY-5 with major modification including a {{cvt|2|ft}} bow extension, modified hull lines and step, re-designed tip floats and tail surfaces and a revised electrical system. 155 were built for delivery to the RAF as the Catalina V although 138 were Lend-Leased to the Soviet Navy as the KM-1
;PBV-1A
:Canadian Vickers built version of the PBY-5A, 380 built including 150 to the RCAF as the Canso "A" and the rest to the USAAF as the OA-10A.

=== United States Army Air Forces ===
[[File:USAFCatalina.jpg|thumb|USAAF OA-10 with crew]]
[[File:Canadian Vickers SA-10A Catalina 44-33939 (cropped).jpg|thumb|SA-10A, USAF 4th Rescue Group, Hamilton AFB, California, 1952. Sold in 1958 to [[Cuban Air Force]] as 191]]
[[File:SA-10A 43-43847.jpg|thumb|SA-10A painted to resemble an OA-10A]]
;OA-10
:USAAF designation for the PBY-5A (OA = observation/amphibian). 105 built (56 transferred from the US Navy). 58 surviving aircraft were redesignated to '''A-10''' on 11 June 1948 (A = amphibian). Search and rescue versions were designated '''SA-10''' (SA = search/amphibian).<ref name="Jos Heyman">{{cite web |author1=Jos Heyman |title=UNITED STATES MILITARY AIRCRAFT |url=https://usmilitaryaircraft.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/airf-oa.pdf |website=usmilitaryaircraft.files.wordpress.com |access-date=2023-02-11}}</ref>
;OA-10A
:USAAF designation for the PBV-1A. 230 transferred from the US Navy. Surviving aircraft were redesignated to '''A-10A''' on 11 June 1948. Search and rescue versions were designated '''SA-10A'''. Three additional aircraft were transferred from the US Navy in 1949 as SA-10As.<ref name="Jos Heyman"/>
;OA-10B
:USAAF designation for the PBY-6A. 75 transferred from the US Navy. Surviving aircraft were redesignated to '''A-10B''' on 11 June 1948. Search and rescue versions were designated '''SA-10B'''.<ref name="Jos Heyman"/>

=== Royal Air Force ===
[[File:PBYs 205 Sqn RAF in hangar Singapore 1941.jpg|thumb|[[No. 205 Squadron RAF]] Catalina Is being serviced at [[RAF Seletar]], [[Singapore]]]]
;Catalina I
:[[British Purchasing Commission|Direct purchase aircraft for the Royal Air Force]], same as the PBY-5 with six {{cvt|0.303|in|1}} guns (one in bow, four in waist blisters and one aft of the hull step) and powered by two {{cvt|1200|hp}} R-1830-S1C3-G engines, 109 built.
;Catalina IA
:Operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force as the Canso, 14 built.
;Catalina IB
:Lend-lease PBY-5Bs for the RAF, 225 aircraft built.
;Catalina II
:Equipment changes, six built.
;Catalina IIA
:Vickers-Canada built Catalina II for the RAF, 50 built.
;Catalina IIIA
:Former U.S. Navy PBY-5As used by the RAF on the [[North Atlantic Ferry Service]], 12 aircraft. These were the only amphibians that saw RAF service.
;Catalina IVA
:Lend-lease PBY-5s for the RAF, 93 aircraft.
[[File:Consolidated PB2B-1 (Boeing Canada Catalina Mk. IVb) JX286 Mar44 (16161355180) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Boeing Canada built PB2B-1 in Canadian service as a Catalina IVB]]
;Catalina IVB
:Lend-lease PB2B-1s for the RAF, some to the Royal Australian Air Force.
;Catalina VI
:Lend-lease PB2B-2s for the RAF, some to the RAAF.

=== Royal Canadian Air Force ===
[[File:Pbv-1a canso flying boat g-pbya arp (cropped).jpg|thumb|Restored ex-RCAF ''Canso A'' (PBV-1A) in US Navy colors, England, 2009]]
;Canso
:PB2B-1 flying boats for the RCAF. 17 built.<ref name="Cansostory">{{cite book |last=Wikene |first=I. |editor-first=Les |editor-last=Wilkinson |title=I'll Never Forget...Canadian Aviation In The Second World War |publisher=Canadian Aviation Historical Society |location=Willowdale, Ontario |year=1979 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/illneverforgetca0000unse/page/48 48] |chapter=Canso & Catalina In The R.C.A.F |isbn=0-920610-00-5 | chapter-url-access=registration |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/illneverforgetca0000unse/page/47 }}</ref><ref name="W.A.B. Douglas 87">{{cite book |author1=W. A. B. Douglas |author1-link=W. A. B. Douglas |title=La creation d'une aviation militaire nationale, Histoire officielle de 1'Aviation royale du Canada, Tome II |date=1987 |publisher=Ministère de la Défense Nationale du Canada |location=Canada |isbn=9780660925059 |page=443 |url=https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/themes/defence/caf/militaryhistory/dhh/popular/creation-aviation-militaire-nationale-4.pdf |access-date=2023-02-11 |language=French |quote=Ces 50 avions comportaient des modifications prescrites par Mat-major de 1'Air canadien et etaient les premiers de ce type h porter la designation "Canso" - Canso "A" pour la version amphibie - au sein de 1'ARC (les neuf Catalina que la RAF avait prztks avaient 6t6 construits selon des specifications britanniques quelque peu differentes et continukrent donc de porter ce nom).}}</ref>
;Canso A
:PBV-1A and PB2B-1A amphibious aircraft produced for the RCAF (A = amphibious). 150 PBV-1A and 55 PB2B-1A built.<ref name="Cansostory"/><ref name="W.A.B. Douglas 87"/>
;Canso 2F
:Canso A rebuilt as unarmed [[cargo aircraft]] (F = freight). Some fitted with [[Rebecca/Eureka transponding radar|Rebecca]] transponding radar for navigation and some aircraft also carried [[LORAN]].<ref name="EO 05-60A-1">{{cite book |title=EO 05-60A-1, Pilots operating instructions, Canso 2F and 2SR, Issued on Authority of the Chief of the Air Staff |date=1954 |publisher=Royal Canadian Air Force |url=https://pbycatalina.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Pilots-Operating-Instructions-May-1953.pdf |access-date=2023-02-11 |language=English }}</ref>
;Canso 2SR
:Canso A rebuilt as unarmed search and rescue aircraft (SR = search/rescue). Some fitted with Rebecca transponding radar for navigation and some aircraft also carried LORAN.<ref name="EO 05-60A-1"/>

===Other users===
;GST
:Soviet designation for transport versions of the PBY-5 ("''Gydro Samoliot Transportnyi''" - transport seaplane).
[[File:Consolidated TP47 Catalina.jpg|thumb|Swedish Air Force "TP 47" Catalina on display at the Swedish Air Force museum in Linköping, Sweden]]
;TP 47
:Swedish designation for three unarmed Consolidated Vultee PB4-54 amphibious aircraft used by the Swedish air force from 1946 to 1958 (TP = transport).<ref name="PB4"/> These were modified with [[search radar]]s in the nose turret during the early 1950s.
;C-10
:[[Brazilian Air Force]] designation for the PBY-5.  Originally designated '''PA-10''' and later '''CA-10''' (not to be confused with civilian CA-10).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Brazilian Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/brazil.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>
;C-10A
:Brazilian Air Force designation for the PBY-5A.  Originally designated '''CA-10A'''.<ref name=":0" />
;CA-10
:In the 1950s several civilian Catalinas were converted as CA-10 cargo transport aircraft, the name being derived from the USAF A-10 (C = cargo).<ref name="Jos Heyman"/>
;Steward-Davis Super Catalina ("Super Cat")
:Catalina converted to use {{cvt|1700|hp}} [[Wright R-2600 Cyclone 14]] engines, with enlarged rudder and other changes.
;Avalon Turbo Canso
:A proposed turboprop conversion of Canso water bombers, powered by two [[Rolls-Royce Dart]] engines.
;NGAA Catalina II
:A proposed modernized version of the Catalina ("Next Generation Amphibious Aircraft"), developed by Catalina Aircraft Systems which holds ownership of the PBY-5's [[type certificate]] as of 2023. The design has been proposed in civil and military versions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/aviation-company-relaunching-pby-5-as-modern-military-aircraft|publisher=The Drive / The War Zone|first=Howard|last=Altman|date=July 25, 2023|title=Reviving the PBY Catalina for Modern Warfare is This Company's Goal}}</ref><ref name="Niles27Jul23">{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/287624/|title= Company Plans To Build New PBY Catalinas|access-date= 27 July 2023|last= Niles|first= Russ|work= AVweb|date= 27 July 2023|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230727134217/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/287624/|archive-date= 27 July 2023|url-status= live}}</ref>

== Production ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+deliveries of production Consolidated variants to US Navy only
!Model
!Production period
!Quantity
|-
|PBY-1||Sep 1936 – Jun 1937||{{right|60}}
|-
|PBY-2||May 1937 – Feb 1938||{{right|50}}
|-
|PBY-3||{{nowrap|Nov 1936 – Aug 1938}}||{{right|66}}
|-
|PBY-4||May 1938 – Jun 1939||{{right|32}}
|-
|PBY-5||Sep 1940 – Jul 1943||{{right|684}}
|-
|PBY-5A||Oct 1941 – Jan 1945<ref name=janes>Bridgeman 1946, p. 218.</ref>||{{right|802}}
|-
|PBY-6A||Jan 1945 – May 1945<ref name=janes/>||{{right|175}}
|}

== Operators ==
{{Main|List of PBY Catalina operators}}
{{div col}}
* {{ARG}}
* {{AUS}}
* {{BRA}}
* {{flag|Canada|1921}}
* {{CHL}}
* {{COL}}
* {{CUB}}
* {{DNK}}
* {{DOM}}
* {{ECU}}
* {{FRA}}
* {{flag|Greece|old}}
* {{ISL}}
* {{IDN}}
* {{ISR}}
* {{JPN}}
* {{MEX}}
* {{NLD}}
* {{NZL}}
* {{NIC}}
* {{NOR}}
* {{PRY}}
* {{PER}}
* {{PHL}}
* {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
* {{flag|Spain|1938}}
* {{SWE}}
* {{flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
* {{TWN}}
* {{GBR}}
* {{USA}}
* {{URY}}
{{div col end}}

== Surviving aircraft ==
{{main|List of surviving Consolidated PBY Catalinas}}

== Specifications (PBY-5A) ==
[[File:Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina 3-view line drawing.svg|300px|right|Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina drawing]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Encyclopedia of World Air Power'',<ref>Gunston, Bill, ed. ''Encyclopedia of World Air Power.'' London: Aerospace Publishing Ltd, 1981. {{ISBN|0-517-53754-0}}.</ref> ''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II'',<ref name="janes"/> ''Handbook of Erection and Maintenance Instructions for Navy Model PBY-5 and PBY-5A Airplanes'',<ref>''Handbook of Erection and Maintenance Instructions for Navy Model PBY-5 and PBY-5A Airplanes''</ref> PBY: The Catalina Flying Boat,<ref>Creed 1986, p. 306.</ref> ''and'' Quest for Performance.<ref>Loftin, L. K., Jr. [http://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-468/cover.htm "Quest for Performance: The Evolution of Modern Aircraft."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529231420/https://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-468/cover.htm |date=29 May 2018 }} ''NASA SP-468.'' Retrieved: 18 June 2010.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--   General characteristics
-->
|crew=8 &mdash; pilot, co-pilot, bow turret gunner, flight mechanic, radioman, navigator and two waist gunners
|length ft=63
|length in=10
|length note=
|span ft=104
|span in=
|span note=
|height ft=21
|height in=1
|height note=
|wing area sqft=1400
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=7.73
|airfoil=<!--'''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>-->
|empty weight lb=20910
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=35420
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity={{cvt|1850|usgal|l impgal}} with self-sealing liner
|more general=<br>
* '''[[Zero-lift drag coefficient]]:''' 0.0309
* '''[[zero-lift drag coefficient|Drag area:]]''' 43.26 ft<sup>2</sup> (4.02 m<sup>2</sup>)
<!--   Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp]]
|eng1 type=14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines
|eng1 hp=1200
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=3
|prop name=constant-speed propellers
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--   Performance
-->
|max speed mph=196
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=125
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed note=
|range miles=2520
|range note=
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=15800
|ceiling note=
|lift to drag=11.9
|climb rate ftmin=1000
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=25.3
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.067|hp/lb}}
|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=<br/>
:* 3 × [[M1919 Browning machine gun|.30 cal (7.62 mm) machine gun]]s (two in nose turret, one in ventral hatch at tail)
:* 2 × [[M2 Browning machine gun|.50 cal (12.7 mm) machine gun]]s (one in each waist blister)
|bombs=
4,000 lb (1,814 kg) of bombs or depth charges under the wings; torpedo racks were also available

|avionics=
}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
* [[Hasvik Municipality#History|The crash in Norway during Project ZEBRA in 1944]]
{{Aircontent
|related=
* [[Bird Innovator]] -- a 4 engine Catalina
* [[Consolidated P2Y]]
* [[Consolidated PB2Y Coronado]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Aichi H9A]]
* [[Blackburn Sydney]]
* [[Dornier Do 24]]
* [[Douglas XP3D]]
* [[Kawanishi H6K]]
* [[Latécoère 300]]
* [[Martin PBM Mariner]]

|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
* [[List of Consolidated PBY Catalina survivors]]
* [[List of flying boats]]
* [[List of PBY Catalina operators]]
|see also=
}}

== References ==
=== Notes ===
{{reflist|group=note}}

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* Best, Martin S. "The Development of Commercial Aviation in Chine: Part 21A: The Chine Airlines Group". ''Air-Britain Archive'', Autumn 2013. pp.&nbsp;107–122. {{ISSN|0262-4923}}.
* Bridgeman, Leonard. "The Consolidated Vultee Model 28 Catalina." ''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II''. London: Studio, 1946. {{ISBN|1-85170-493-0}}.
*Cacutt, Len, ed. "PBY Catalina: Ocean Patroller." ''Great Aircraft of the World''. London: Marshall Cavendish, 1989. {{ISBN|1-85435-250-4}}.
*Creed, Roscoe. ''PBY: The Catalina Flying Boat''. Annapolis, Maryland: US Naval Institute Press, 1986. {{ISBN|0-87021-526-4}}.
*Crocker, Mel. ''Black Cats and Dumbos: WW II's Fighting PBYs''. Huntington Beach, California: Crocker Media Expressions, 2002. {{ISBN|0-9712901-0-5}}.
*Dorny, Louis B. ''US Navy PBY Catalina Units of the Pacific War''. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2007. {{ISBN|1-84176-911-8}}.
*{{cite book |last=Freeman |first=Elmer |title=Those Navy Guys and Their PBY's: The Aleutian Solution |year=1984 |publisher=Kedging Publishing Co. |location=Spokane, Wash. |isbn=0-9632463-0-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/thosenavyguysthe00free }}
*Gaunt, Coral and Robert Cleworth. ''Cats at War: Story of RAAF Catalinas in the Asia Pacific Theatre of War.'' Roseville, NSW Australia: J.R. Cleworth, 2000. {{ISBN|978-1-86408-586-0}}.
*Greenhous, Brereton et al. ''The Crucible of War 1939–1945: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Vol. III.''  Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1994. {{ISBN|978-0-8020-0574-8}}.
*{{cite book |last=Gunston |first=Bill |title=American Warplanes |year=1986 |publisher=Crown Publishers Inc. |location=New York |isbn=0-517-61351-4 }}
*Hendrie, Andrew. ''Flying Cats: The Catalina Aircraft in World War II''. Annapolis, Maryland: US Naval Institute Press, 1988. {{ISBN|0-87021-213-3}}.
* Howard, Paul. ''French Pacific 'Cats': Flying-boat Services in the Pacific, 1946–1971''. ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'' 111, May/June 2004, pp.&nbsp;38–44. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Howard|first1=Paul|title=Island 'Cats: Commercial Catalina Operations in New Guinea, Part One|journal=Air Enthusiast |date=March–April 2001|issue=92|pages=54–58 |issn=0143-5450}}
*Kinzey, Bert. ''PBY Catalina in Detail & Scale''. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 2000. {{ISBN|1-888974-19-2}}.
*Knott, Richard C. ''Black Cat Raiders of World War II''. Annapolis, Maryland: US Naval Institute Press, 2000. {{ISBN|1-55750-471-7}}.
* {{cite book |last=Lawrence |first=Joseph |title = The Observer's Book Of Airplanes |location = London and New York |publisher = Frederick Warne & Co |year = 1945}}
* {{Cite book |last=Legg |first=David |year=2002|title=Consolidated PBY Catalina: The Peacetime Record |location=Annapolis, Maryland|publisher= US Naval Institute Press|page= |isbn= 1-55750-245-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Miller |first=Nathan |title=War at Sea: A Naval History of World War II |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-19-511038-8 }}
* {{cite journal|title=Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation|journal=Air Enthusiast Quarterly |date=n.d. |issue=2 |pages=154–162 |issn=0143-5450}}
*Petrescu, FLorian Ion and Reilly Victoria Petrescu. ''The Aviation History''. Stoughton, Wisconsin: Books on Demand, 2012. {{ISBN|978-3-84823-077-8}}.
* {{cite magazine|last=Prins|first=François|title=Pioneering Spirit: The QANTAS Story |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |date=Spring 1994|issue=53 |pages=24–32 |issn=0143-5450}}
*Ragnarsson, Ragnar. ''US Navy PBY Catalina Units of the Atlantic War''. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2006. {{ISBN|1-84176-910-X}}.
*Scarborough, William E. ''PBY Catalina in Action'' (Aircraft number 62). Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1983. {{ISBN|0-89747-149-0}}.
*Scarborough, William E. ''PBY Catalina: Walk Around''. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1996. {{ISBN|0-89747-357-4}}.
*Wagner, Ray. ''The Story of the PBY Catalina'' (Aero Biographies Volume 1). San Diego, California: Flight Classics, 1972. {{ISBN|978-0-911721-30-0}}.
* Wegg, John. ''General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors''. London:Putnam, 1990. {{ISBN|0-85177-833-X}}.
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite journal |last1=Mormillo|first1=Frank B.|title=Call for Fire Attack!: A 'One-two' Formation by Mars and PBY Might Still Outclass the Modern Options |journal=Air Enthusiast |date=March–April 1999 |issue=80 |pages=5–11 |issn=0143-5450}}
*{{Cite book |last1=Núñez Padin |first1=Jorge Felix |title=JRF Goose, PBY Catalina, PBM Mariner & HU-16 Albatros |year=2009 |editor-first=Jorge Felix |editor-last=Núñez Padin |publisher=Fuerzas Aeronavales |series=Serie Aeronaval |volume=25 |language=es |isbn=9789872055745 |location=Bahía Blanca, Argentina |url=http://www.fuerzasaeronavales.com/?product=libro-jrf-goose-pby-catalina-pbm-mariner-hu-16-albatros-serie-aeronaval-no25 |access-date=2015-01-26 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221549/http://www.fuerzasaeronavales.com/?product=libro-jrf-goose-pby-catalina-pbm-mariner-hu-16-albatros-serie-aeronaval-no25 |archive-date=2016-03-03 }}
*{{cite magazine|last=Pomeroy|first=Colin A.|title=Bermudian 'Boats: Snapshots of the RAF Flying-boat Era in Bermuda |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |date=July–August 2002|issue=100 |pages=40–45 |issn=0143-5450}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
*[http://media.nola.com/175years/other/ot.1944consolidated.pdf PBY Catalina Foundation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020155511/http://media.nola.com/175years/other/ot.1944consolidated.pdf |date=20 October 2017 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20210304052555/http://www.seawings.co.uk/images/manuals/Catalina%20Manuals/Handbook%20of%20Structural%20Repair%20Catalina%20PBY%205%20-%20PBY-5A%20-%20PBY-6A%20&%20OA-10.pdf (1945) AN 01-5M-3 Handbook of Structural Repair for Navy Models PBY-5, PBY-5A, PBY-6A Army Model OA-10 Airplanes]
* [http://www.catalinaaircrafttrust.com/ Catalina Aircraft Trust]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=xdYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA19 ''Popular Mechanics'', February 1943, ''"Here Comes The Cats"''] very large and detailed article
* [http://americanaeroservices.com/pby5acatalina2459grphc2.html High-resolution spherical panoramas of the restoration to 1943 WW II configuration of Catalina 2459 by the Collings Foundation]
* https://www.catalina.org.uk/

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