Evergreen Aviation Museum: The Catalina, a patrol flying boat (photo diary)

by Ojibwa for Kossack Air Force

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Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 at 7:15:03am PDT

In the 1930s, faced with competition from Japan in the Pacific, the U.S. Navy began looking for a patrol flying boat. The Consolidated Catalina first flew in 1935 and became the most famous seaplane in aviation history.

It was designed as a patrol bomber (hence the designation PB). During World War II, about 3,300 PBY aircraft were built and operated in all theaters of the war. In the Atlantic, the PBY was an anti-submarine and maritime patrol aircraft and was a significant factor in defeating German U-boats.

In addition to being used by the U.S. Navy, was also used by Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Netherlands, and the Soviet Union.

This aircraft has a cruising speed of 125 mph, a top speed of 195 mph, a ceiling of 18,100 feet, and a range of 2,520 miles.

The Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon has a Canadian-made PBY named the Vickers Canso. This airplane was delivered to the RCAF in 1943.

Note: These photographs were taken on October 16, 2024.