The Catalina seaplane, which dominated the water during World War II, has a wide range of uses
Seaplanes, referred to as water planes, are mainly used for reconnaissance, anti-submarine, rescue activities, transportation, forest firefighting, etc. . It can be used on rivers, lakes, rivers, and sea surfaces with vast water areas. The safety performance of the water jet is good, and the aircraft tonnage is not limited, but it is not suitable for high-speed flight, and the maintenance and manufacturing costs are also high.
China has also developed its own seaplane, the Water H-5 water anti-submarine bomber. The first airplane to take off from the water was made by the famous early French aviators and aircraft designers, the Voisin brothers. During World War II, there was a seaplane that became the most produced, most widely used, and the most famous seaplane in history due to its outstanding performance. It was the Catalina seaplane, also referred to as PBY.
However, because the PBY Catalina seaplane was the slowest aircraft during World War II, it was also called the most useless aircraft. Some people even joked that what the PBY navigator needed was not a radio and a stopwatch, but a book. calendar.
In the history of World War II, it can be said that no other seaplane can challenge the status of the Catalina seaplane. Its strong adaptability and extremely wide range of uses are loved by all countries. It became one of the most widely used seaplanes during World War II. In addition to the US army, the British, Soviet and Canadian armies are also equipped with this aircraft.
It is a military seaplane developed by the United Aircraft Company of the United States. It is mainly used for ground bombing, anti-submarine, reconnaissance, anti-ship attack, and transport of commandos. A type of seaplane that was widely equipped in the U.S., British, naval and air forces and the Soviet aviation during World War II. It performed outstandingly in the U.S. Navy and Air Force for 20 years. It can be said to have played an indispensable role in the victory in World War II.
Its excellent record has made its number even more than the sum of other seaplanes in World War II. It has become the largest production, most widely used and most famous seaplane in history, and has developed several seaplanes based on the original Different derivative models. It can be said to be the aircraft with the most extensive combat capabilities during World War II, and it is also the most influential seaplane in the world to this day.
At that time, the U.S. Navy launched a design tender for the next generation of water patrol aircraft, with special emphasis on greatly expanding the performance envelope. The new aircraft is required to have a range of 4,827 kilometers while cruising at a maximum weight of 11,340 kilograms and a speed of 161 kilometers per hour. Mike Rutton and his engineering team at United were confident that they would be invited to take on the design challenge based on their experience gained from P2Y and its record-breaking performance in actual use.
In this design, they jointly designed a brand-new seaplane, and applied for a patent because of its great innovation. The United's main competitor, Douglas, is an improved YB-11 amphibious bomber designed for the Army. Its size is slightly smaller than the PBY Catalina, and its performance such as climb rate, speed and range is also slightly inferior.
However, both models successfully completed and met all performance indicators during the flight test program without major defects. Due to the equal performance, United finally won the contract with a price lower than Douglas by $20,000.
The PBY Catalina series has good performance and reliability. In its first "routine" large-scale delivery flight, all its flights were completed on time without any accidents or mechanical failures, causing a sensation. During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, enemy planes were discovered immediately. However, in air combat, the PBY had poor resistance and was very easy to damage. In addition, it lacked armor and self-sealing fuel tanks to protect personnel. It was seriously damaged after being attacked by Japanese planes. .
But of all the Catalina's development and history, its most spectacular tactical use came during what was known as Operation Black Cat, the 1942 nighttime search attack in the Western Pacific. Operation "Black Cat" reached its climax at the end of 1943, and at that time it could be said to dominate the water.
After the war, Catalina was quickly eliminated by the U.S. Navy. After the last Catalina in service was officially retired on January 3, 1957, it also meant that the real military horse in the history of U.S. naval aviation in World War II became history. . However, its record is irreplaceable by other seaplanes, and it also contributed greatly to the victory of World War II.
The Catalina seaplane also deeply influenced the development of subsequent seaplanes. For example, the technical parameters of our country's purchase of 6 Be-6 seaplanes from the Soviet Union were developed based on the American PBY "Catalina" seaplanes. .