Company Plans to Build New Version of WWII-Era Catalina Flying Boat

• The PBY Catalina flying boat was one of the crucial iconic Allied plane of World Warfare II.
• PBY Catalinas had been used to patrol coastlines, hunt enemy warships, and rescue sailors and aircrews.
• Now an organization plans to construct an up to date model of the Catalina for civilian and army prospects.

To a downed Allied pilot floating on a raft, they had been lifesavers. To German and Japanese submarines, they had been a menace.

The PBY Catalina flying boat was one of the crucial iconic Allied plane of World Warfare II. And 80 years later, it’s coming again. A Florida-based firm plans to construct a brand new model of the Catalina that it needs to begin delivering in 2029. The announcement comes amid rising curiosity within the US and different nations within the army potential of amphibious plane.

A modernized Catalina has the benefit of tapping into each practicality and nostalgia. The Subsequent Era Amphibious Plane Catalina II “is a contemporary amphibian with superior engines and avionics and can provide capabilities no different amphibian can present at the moment.” Lawrence Reece, president of Catalina Plane, stated in a press launch.

The civilian model, aimed toward civilian and industrial operators, can be a 16-ton plane able to hauling 34 passengers or 6 tons of cargo. It may well land and take off in waters as much as sea state 2, which implies pretty clean seas with waves as much as 20 inches.

The Particular Use model is aimed toward authorities customers such the army, coast guard, and disaster-relief businesses. It will likely be a 20-ton plane able to working in sea state 3, that means waves of 49 inches. Nevertheless, the Catalina Plane announcement supplied few particulars on the plane’s efficiency, apart from to say that each fashions can be powered by twin turboprops.

Neither model can be pressurized, which precludes high-altitude flight. Neither is it clear what facets of the design are being modernized. The announcement did say that the Catalina II will exploit “at the moment’s advances in digitization, methods, supplies, corrosion management, avionics, and engine/propulsion applied sciences.”

Whereas aviation buffs continuously discuss of bringing traditional plane again to life, the return of the Catalina is greater than a visit down reminiscence lane. Catalina Plane announcement listed nearly 60 civilian and authorities missions the Catalina II will have the ability to carry out.

Civilian makes use of embrace passenger and cargo transport, air ambulance, and “journey sports activities transport.” Non-military governmental makes use of embrace maritime search and rescue, border and coastal patrol, firefighting, and “Riot Management (Water/Foam Drop).”

However greater than half of the potential missions are for the army, which is sure to attract probably the most consideration to the Catalina II. Missions embrace amphibious troop transport, anti-submarine and anti-surface ship warfare, reconnaissance missions, aerial tanking, airborne command and management, and flying artillery for floor troops.

A flexible airplane

Catalina Plane’s listing of potential missions is formidable, however the unique Consolidated Plane PBY Catalina was a flexible airplane.

Designed within the mid-Nineteen Thirties as a US Navy patrol bomber, the “Cat” or “Dumbo” served as a search airplane, anti-submarine plane, torpedo bomber, rescue airplane, and troop and cargo service.

The US Navy ordered 200 PBY-5s, the most recent model of the plane, in December 1939 however would purchase lots of of them throughout the struggle. With extra highly effective engines, the PBY-5 had a most pace of about 175 mph and will fly 2,545 miles with out refueling. It was armed with a number of machine weapons and will carry bombs, depth fees, or torpedoes.

In all, some 4,000 Catalinas had been constructed between 1936 and 1945, together with 600 in Canada and 27 within the Soviet Union.

Among the many Catalina’s World Warfare II feats was finding the German battleship Bismarck, enabling the Royal Navy to shut in and sink it, in addition to recognizing approaching Japanese ships on the Battle of Halfway.

Nevertheless, its biggest contribution was as an anti-submarine plane that sank German and Japanese submarines, pinpointed them for Allied floor ships to assault, or saved the subs at bay simply by being current.

After serving in a number of Allied militaries throughout World Warfare II, many Catalinas remained in operation with militaries and civilian customers all over the world. The US army pursued different seaplanes early within the Chilly Warfare, however amphibious plane had misplaced their utility by 1960.

Extra not too long ago, some Catalinas had been used as firefighting plane, although none stay in army or industrial service.

Whereas spectacular, the unique Catalina had its flaws. It was gradual and ponderous within the air, which made utilizing it close to enemy fighters and air defenses a dangerous proposition. Stormy waves might floor seaplanes until in addition they had entry to a paved runway. (The PBY-5 and earlier fashions could not land on something however water.)

These points had been outweighed by the Catalina’s different qualities. Its lengthy vary and talent to land on water had been necessary options within the huge Pacific theater, the place many islands had solely rudimentary floor services. Seaplane tender ships additionally allowed Catalinas to function away from established infrastructure.

With the Pentagon more and more nervous {that a} struggle with China within the Pacific would see Guam and different US airbases pounded by ballistic and cruise missiles, an plane that simply wants some reasonably calm water might be invaluable. Certainly, the Catalina redux is a part of the rising curiosity in seaplanes.

US Air Pressure Particular Operations Command needs an amphibious model of the C-130 Hercules, and DARPA has began growing the Liberty Lifter, an enormous seaplane comparable in measurement and capability to the C-17 cargo airplane.

If the US army had been to get its palms on one other seaplane, it will be small however notable firm. Russia’s army has lengthy operated seaplanes and presently makes use of the jet-powered Be-200. Japan’s Maritime Self-Protection Pressure has the well-regarded US-2. In the meantime, China has the AG600, a 60-ton plane that could be the world’s largest seaplane.

Michael Peck is a protection author whose work has appeared in Forbes, Protection Information, International Coverage journal, and different publications. He holds a grasp’s in political science. Observe him on Twitter and LinkedIn.