To: Snow Bunny; All
Good afternoon, Snow! Good afternoon, EVERYBODY!
68 posted on
10/26/2002 11:25:48 AM PDT by
tomkow6
To: Mr_Magoo
Catalina Bump
![](http://www.feightstudios.com/images/ASW%20Images/Large/Cats%20Have%20Claws.jpg)
"Cats Have Claws"
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was considered obsolete by the U.S. Navy in 1939. However, the "Cat" turned out to be the best anti-sub aircraft available at the start of the Battle of the Atlantic because of it's range, capacity, and durability and was employed by many countries for ASW. This print features a U.S. Navy PBY-5A Catalina in early W.W.II markings engaged in a running battle with the scourge of the North Atlantic - a German type VII U-Boat.
![](http://www.leicestershireaeroclub.com/images/PBY.jpg)
The PBY Catalina which first flew in 1935 was ordered by the United States Navy as a naval patrol seaplane, capable of a 3000 mile range at 100 miles per hour. The Royal Air Force also used Catalinas as well as the Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand Air Forces. Post-war they were provided to many countries including France, Norway, Sweden & Denmark to rebuild their depleted air forces. There are still numerous aircraft in service around the world, although its peacetime role as a fire fighter is a far cry from its original designed role.
![](http://www.daveswarbirds.com/blackcat/blackcat.jpg)
"Black Cat" PBY Catalina stalks enemy shipping as night falls in the far reaches of the Pacific.
![](http://www.daveswarbirds.com/navalwar/morepics/flighth.jpg)
Flight Out of Hell" by Nicholas Trudgian. Lt. Nate Gordon's Black Cat takes off after having rescued the downed crew of a B-25 bomber. The PBY is under fire from Japanese ground units on the nearby island. Gordon received the Medal of Honor for his rescues that day.
72 posted on
10/26/2002 11:38:45 AM PDT by
SAMWolf
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