Consolidated PBY Catalina

The Flying Eye of the Pacific — The Longest-Serving Flying Boat in History.

Overview

Consolidated United States ICAO: CAT 1936–1945 Active

Few aircraft can claim a legacy as enduring as the Consolidated PBY Catalina. From anti-submarine patrols to daring rescues, this graceful flying boat became a symbol of persistence and reach — the eyes and lifeline of Allied forces across the world’s oceans.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder
Engine type
Piston
Power
2 × 1,200 hp · 895 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
10
Crew
—
Cabin width
12 ft 2 in  ·  3.70 m
Cabin height
10 ft 2 in  ·  3.10 m
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
64 ft 0 in  ·  19.50 m
Tail height
21 ft 1 in  ·  6.43 m
Fuselage diameter
11 ft 2 in  ·  3.40 m
Wing span
105 ft 0 in  ·  32.00 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
35,400 lb  ·  16,100 kg
Max landing weight
28,000 lb  ·  12,700 kg
Max payload
—
Fuel capacity
1,750 gal · 6,600 L · 4,800 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
109 kt  ·  125 mph  ·  202 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
90 kt  ·  104 mph  ·  167 km/h
Range
2,190 nm  ·  2,520 mi  ·  4,060 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
15,800 ft  ·  4,800 m
Rate of climb
1,000 ft/min  ·  5 m/s
Takeoff distance
1,750 ft  ·  530 m
Landing distance
1,290 ft  ·  390 m
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Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina.

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Operational Context

Consolidated PBY Catalina — The Maritime Workhorse of World War II

The Consolidated PBY Catalina was one of the most successful and widely used flying boats in history. First flown in March 1935, it was adopted by the U.S. Navy in 1936 and went on to serve with more than 30 allied nations during World War II.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines producing 1,200 horsepower each, the Catalina could reach speeds of about 179 mph (288 km/h) and fly up to 2,520 miles (4,050 km) — an extraordinary range that allowed it to patrol vast ocean areas for up to 20 hours at a time. Its crew of eight operated a mix of .30- and .50-caliber machine guns, and it could carry 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) of bombs, depth charges, or torpedoes.

The Catalina performed virtually every maritime role imaginable: submarine hunting, reconnaissance, convoy escort, air-sea rescue, and long-range transport. Its ability to land on open water made it invaluable for downed aircrew rescues — missions that earned it the affectionate nickname “Dumbo.”

More than 3,300 Catalinas were built in the United States, Canada, and under license in other Allied countries. They served not only throughout the war but well into the 1950s, with some continuing in civilian roles for decades afterward as water bombers and survey aircraft.

Elegant, reliable, and astonishingly durable, the PBY Catalina remains one of aviation’s most beloved icons — the flying boat that turned the world’s oceans into runways.