1941 Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

The Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina was a twin-engined flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s. It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II. It was developed by the Consolidated Aircraft Company of San Diego, California, and was produced under license by Boeing in Seattle, Washington.

The Catalina was used by all branches of the United States military and by many allied forces. It was used for patrol, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and anti-submarine warfare. The PBY-5A was the most widely-produced variant of the Catalina, with 1,366 built. The aircraft featured a large, high-mounted wing and two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 radial engines. It had a range of 3,200 nautical miles and a maximum speed of 200 mph. It could carry up to 6,000 pounds of bombs, depth charges, or other ordnance.

The PBY-5A saw extensive use in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters of war. It proved to be a versatile and capable platform, and played an important role in maritime operations during World War II.