On Thursday, August 6, tune in as LCDR Robert “Kim” Sheldon, USN (Ret.) spotlights the Museum's PBY Catalina. Leave your questions and comments in the Facebook events page and he will answer them during the broadcast.
My father flew these in the war and always spoke about this plane with a reverence. It's been only in later years I came to understand the amazing skills the pilot and crew possessed in making these wonderful planes operate.
I'm here, born in 1944, because my Dad (CPO Norman Grant, USN) was stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station (San Francisco Bay) 1942-45, after teaching at NAS Corpus Christi 1941-42, and flew as a PBY RADAR Operator on Pacific Coast patrols and more (he said they twice flew to Midway), returning to base every 3-6 weeks. He survived THREE plane crashes during WWII, leaving him with back problems the rest of his life. I never could get him to talk about his war experiences; it was too painful for him emotionally.
My dad was a "flight engineer" in a PBY in Pensacola Florida during WWII. I remember he kept his microphone and headset in his drawer when I was a young boy. The flight engineer sat in the small crawl space in the middle of the fuselage just below the wings. He would monitor the engine instruments and tell the pilot if anything was wrong. One day he and his buddy put in a request for sea duty in the pacific and his CO said to them, "are you guys crazy? You're going to stay right here and put airplane engines together and that's that". He was also an airplane engine mechanic when not flying as a flight engineer. I am so proud of all those men and women of WWII.
We had many cats operating from Scotland and still have slipways built for them. Still useable a lifetime later! They were ferried from Bermuda to Largs just up the road from my house. One crashed and became an interesting scuba dive near the Island of Cumbrae Just off Largs. After landing they taxied across the main road to be serviced on what is now a putting green for the tourists! Sadly a number flew into our mountains. At the wars end there were several hundred cats and Sunderlands collected at Stranraer, no doubt sadly scrapped. Great presentation by the way!!
I should think that a Catalina re-engined with some turboprops would still be a viable machine today. Did I have the money, I would sure like one. I could go from lake to lake in Quebec (we have a hella lotta lakes), sleeping in it and fishing from it. I think the Cat was the most beautiful of the flying boats/amphibians, and one of the best all-round designs in aviation.
be more than viable-- one of best firefighters ever made and absolute ideal island hopper. Giver her new build from new materials and new engines. very useful plane.
With Russia being a viable opponent again I could see many useful purposes for the PBY. However they would end up having to re-manufacturer the design considering the age of the current air frames we have. But it would be much better in maneuverability compared to our current, the P-3 Orion. We can only dream. God Bless America
There were a series of conversions, that were known as flying yachts. They were completely redesigned like a motor home or luxury yacht. Very cool concept, check them out if you're interested.
I have been around the Navy a good part of my life. My Dad was in the US Navy during WW2 and served as a Machinist Mate on Carriers in the Pacific. One time in the early 1950s he was Stationed at NAS Corpus Christi and I remember going to work with him and I could still see the PBYs near the ramps. After I retired from the military, I had a chance to attend a computer class in Pensacola and visited the Naval Aviation Museum, I was only going to spend a short time there, but it was so interesting that I stayed until it closed. There was a huge amount of Naval history in the Museum. A great place to visit for those who enjoy Naval Aviation History.
Don't forget that every one of these great warriors were at the time of their service handsome young strapping soldiers who offered up their lives to their country at the very beginning of their lives. So much to lose. Thank you for your service, each and every one of you.
On an airline flight long ago, I was seated beside a former coast watcher who worked alone watching the "slot". He slept by day to be alert at night to learn the Japanese schedules through the slot. On an earlier airline flight, he met a Black Cat officer who warmly welcomed him to their reunions. They really admired and appreciated the dangerous work Coast Watchers did. It took a very special person who could stay hidden alone during the day to report as needed.
Kiwis too. RNZAF Hudson Light Bombers Guadalcanal, October 1942 for Recce Up The Slot. The Japs Triangulated for Rsdiin Signals ans Executed some of those Coast Watchers.
An extremely knowledgeable lecturer (thank you LCDR Sheldon). Fascinating nuggets at every turn. I flew Canso in Canada in the early to mid-70s. It was a great experience and using this heavy ruddered aircraft in the forest fire environment was well... interesting. I loved it. Water landings and pickups were frequent and my most productive day was on a very big fire with 103 pickups (13.3 hour day). I'm old now... but the memories are fresh. Thank you, Sir.
One of the most unsung heroes of WWII was the PBY Catalina. There was nothing sexy about her, just a solid, functional airplane that excelled beyond anyone's expectations. Saved many sailors and combat pilots. Great presentation by LCDR (retired) Sheldon.
Wonderful half hour spent. Just goes to show there's still value watching a knowledgeable individual, and some well chosen pics and vids for slide show.
With veterans getting fewer and fewer in number with each year, their stories become more and more precious...no one could tell their stories the way they do.
Agreed. I worked in a hospital 10 years ago and one of my patients was a bomber pilot that got shot down in Europe. I stayed after hours and listened to his story for 4 hours.
On this Veterans Day 2021 I remember my late father, Aeronautical Engineer, Naval Aviation, Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer), NAS Kaneohe Bay HI 1943-45. He was responsible for Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul for all PBY squadrons passing thru there during the height of the War in the Pacific. Though technically a civilian employed by the Navy he served his country when he was needed. Prior to his Kaneohe assignment he was Inspector of Naval Aircraft at the Consolidated Aircraft construction facility for PBYs in San Diego CA (1939-42). Keep’em flying Dad!
I never pass up a documentary on the Catalina. Pilots have an old expression "It if looks right, it will fly right." and the Cat fills that bill perfectly. It is a pragmatic and beautiful piece of work. There were no power assists for the flight controls. It was all cables and I've read that the Cat pilots had to have wrists of steel to fly the thing.
I had a flight instructor who flew them in WWII. He said that, to make a turn, you first jammed the rudder as hard as you could, then you used aileron to roll the plane into the turn. Strong legs were also necessary along with strong wrists.
My dad learned to fly Catalinas at Pensacola during the war. He went on to fly them for the RAF in an Air Sea Rescue capacity around the Middle East. He also flew Wellington bombers that had been converted for use as rescue planes with rubber boats suspended below.
My grandfather served as a flight engineer on PBY's during WW2. If I recall correctly, he was apart of a flight of new PBY's heading to Hawaii during the Japanese attack and fortunately avoided that event. I would like to know more of my grandfather's services but realize much will be left to my imagination. As a child my grandfather and I alone would travel every year to Wright Patterson AFB museum to marvel over there PBY display. It gave my bragging rights over his 3 other grandson's. Good times.
My wife's late Grand Father was WW II Navy Pilot. He flew PBY Catalina during WW II. I wish I could listen his WW II stories, but I knew what he had been through. Rest in peace, E. Bruce Johnson. I wish I was a pilot so I could fly one of this amazing plane.
Such a well put together video about this amazing machine. My Dad, who served with the RAAF, was a huge fan of the Catalina and I can now see why. I have seen them up close & personal, but this video shone a whole new light on this truly remarkable aircraft.
One of the things that always amazed me about the pby was that it had greater range then subsequent designs. This was probably the best design that Consolidated ever came up with.
The PBY used 57 gph of fuel an hour, giving it a maximum of 30hours flying time from the 1700 gallons on board, it cld fly from, San Diego, CA. to Hawaii & have enough fuel left to patrol the entire length of the Hawaiian Islands.
The Catalina was also vital to Australia in keeping contact with the UK after the Japanese occupied Singapore. (Thus cutting the normal air route) Catalinas flew from Western Australia to a lake in Ceylon (Now Sri lanka) to pass documents and other vital items (even some passengers) on to RAF operated flights onwards to Britain. These were known as the "Double Sunrise flights" because having left at night they experienced two sunrises enroute. The longest flight took 31 hours and 15 minutes to cover the 4000 miles...
A PBY burns 57 gph with 2400 hp. A Beech 18 burns 48 gph with 900 hp. Seems odd. Usually fuel burn is more proportional to hp. Apparently the long wingspan on the PBY allowed them to cruise at a VERY low power setting and still get an acceptable cruise speed.
My Dad always said, Take off at 90, Climb at 90, Cruse at 90, Land at 90, Live tell 90. Was what they were teased at. He was flight mechanic on the Atlantic Submarine Patrol and Weather/Submarine patrol out of Greenland, Iceland and Coast of Norway during WW II. They would drop paper bags of Lampblack Carbon Powder on the Ice to better gauge landing on the Ice. Where they captured a secret German Weather Station crew on Iceland. His plane is still visible although heavily weathered on the coast of Saudi Aribia now high and dry. Left there by the owner who purchased it as a Flying Travel Home after the war.
My pop was a gunner on a PBY. Ship's name was Pegasus 2. They flew from the Galapagos to Guantanamo Bay. Pop was 17 y.o.. He went to Alaska at first but got double pneumonia and after recovering was stationed way down South. Big thanks to all Vets who we feel saved the world! Bless you all!!
Pray, hope and/or work for a world that no longer produces veterans of war. Aspire toward peace. My father served on an LST, collected body parts of his buddies. He was badly and permanently damaged by the experience.
This video was extremely well done and very informative. I am currently reading the book "RAAF Black CATS" by Robert Clemworth and John Sutter Linton. This video helps to explain the workings of the PBY and how crew members worked in and around this great plane. LCDR Sheldon did an excellent job of narrating this video with great detail.
I was so ecstatic about the beginning of GREYHOUND! That PBY was cool. My grandpa flew one of those against Nazis and Japanese Imperials from 41-45. Great spot light on a major part of the war. Cool to see it mentioned with a movie. The battle of the Atlantic was major!
Good Stuff, my father was on Fiji with 8 Brigade Group, Royal New Zealand Army from April 1941 to August 1942. Repulse and Prince of Wales went down, Singapore and Philippines fell, but Five USN Carriers at Coral Sea and Midway did the job with Help from PBY. My Uncle Eddie Sandford was later a Blister Gunner for RNZAF Squadron and was Trained in USA, maybe San Diego.
Early in his naval career, my father was a crew chief on the PBY. Not too many years ago I had a opportunity to fly one of these beauties in Georgia. It was quite a thrill, and made me think of my dad and what it must have been like to be a part of this awesome aircraft's life.
Thoroughly enjoyed the cutaway PBY. I built a Catalina scale model when I was a young lad. Alwyas loved the concept. Very informative. Thanks for the great video.
My friend's father served in the black cats as a flight engineer remember the story about the sharpened pencils for repairing popped out rivet on hard landings, but also using condom prophylactics on the machine gun barrel ends to waterproof them and then being able to shoot thru them when needed. What ingenuity. Good documentary thank you.
Thank you for this presentation. My friends at the RAAF Australian Catalina Memorial would be very interested in this. As far as I know, this would be the first time we we were even recognized.
During my Naval career as an Aircrewman in P-3 Orion Patrol Squadrons, one of my duty stations was with VP-91 at Moffett Field, CA. In the late 80's, the squadron changed their nickname to the "Black Cats", in tribute to the squadron's history tracing back to NVP-91, a "Black Cat" squadron. I've always loved the PBYs. As an ASW Systems Operator, I followed in the huge footsteps of those who flew them, and all those who continued in follow-on aircraft.
That was a superb description of the layout and functions of this Catalina. I was hanging on for details and pics of the radio room but all we got was where it was! Radio Hams of my generation..born from beginning to the end of Hitler's War would be interested in details of the Radio comms. installations. Why? Because when they matured as young adults, the radio equipment available to them as newly licenced hams, was generally what appeared on the world's War Surplus Markets. I'm sure that an item about the Cat's radio and antenna systems would be well received by hams around the world. It would need an experienced ham to collate any collected info. and stories. Thanks for an ACE video. 73 de G3NBY. diddy di dah di dah. We also listened to Willis Conover's "Jaaaaazzzzz Hour" on the Famous Voice of America.
Many regards for the story. I'm here because they were there. My Father, (SSgt Lester Steinberg Bendix upper turret gunner), another crewman, and KIA radio-gunner were rescued by a RNZAF Sdn 6 (Flying Boat) Dumbo when shot down (18Feb1944) , strafing Buka Is in the Solomons. The B-25H and experimental 75mm cannon (13th USAAF, 42nd BG(M), 69th BS) were hit by Japanese ground fire and ditched off Cape Hanpan. The pilot, Lt Col observer, and cannoneer never made it out of the downed aircraft front section, & still remain aboard. See Jenny Scott's "Dumbo Diary" history of her Dad's Kiwi squadron War record and particulars of the Buka mission. Larry Seth Steinberg
My Father was also in the Black Cat Squadron..in the So. PACIFIC. .he was a gunner and a top mechanic..he and his crew were shot down , but rescued by another Dumbo..unfortunately..my Dad was shot by a sniper on the island they were paddling to from their downed plane. He died in Balboa Navy HOSPITOL here in San Diego..I never knew my Dad..but I 'he always missed him..his name was Jerry( Jerome ) Magnes ..he was 33 when he died. He was tall, very Nordic blond curly hair, blue eyes and dimples in both cheeks. If anyone knew my Dad..you knew a man..worth knowing according to my Mom.
He showed us pictures of him sitting at the little window in the pylon, just below the wing, waving to someone on the ground. He spent his entire time in the navy at Pearl, doing search missions for anything approaching Hawaii.
My first time at this museum, I was not prepared. There is a Lot of good stuff. Need to go back. I could have spent 1-2 full days there. Best Air museum I've been to so far (haven't been to the USAF museum or the National Air and Space museum yet though).
One of the best museums in the country for naval aviation. Been there several times and will go again. I love anything aviation specially navy aviation.
My stepfather was a fly chief PET offered during World War III right when the war began. He was a aviation, machinist mate. He had to bill a taxi to the aircraft from the bay after injury repairs, but it broke out. They took a bunch of enlisted men, and they pilots out of him. He was there when a few flying chief officers, the World War III.
Thank you for your great life saving service. I'm not a pilot but have flown in sevreal PBYs in SE Alaska, Coastal Ellis and my good friend here, where I live now, in Eugene Oregon owns one of the birds too.
Lost an uncle, LtJG Richard Rasmussen, co-pilot up at the Solomon Islands. Only survivor, last name Pugh, sent letters to all surviving families. Fascinating recall of their tours and missions. True and unsung heroes.
Pensacola has fond memories in my heart. I was pinned to Navy Chief there at the museum in 2004. It was supposed to be in September but was postponed until October due to hurricane Ivan wrecking the base.
Excellent historical review and seasoned presentation. I knew quite a bit about the major WW II aircraft prior to this and nothing about this important airplane. This video was a great addition to my knowledge of the subject. Thank you very much.
This Cat was part of the backdrop of my Commissioning ceremony from AOCS at the Naval Aviation museum back in 1987. I’ve always loved the Black Cat. My dad did some duty with a beaching crew during the war as well, he enjoyed seeing her there as well.
my dad was an aviation machinist mate 1st class ADR1, he served on lighter than air (blimps) and PBY in the North Atlantic during WW2. he was the flight engineer and always maintained his wings, he served 1941-1978.
For the WW2 Allies the Catalina PBY was created at the time and place in history, for the Axis Powers it was an enemy aircraft they never would have thought could be so devastating to them. In fact, I don't think even the Allies realized how effective Catalina was going to be in the war. It surprised everybody!
My father was a radioman/radio repair on the PBY Catalina for the Army Air Forces, 13th Air Force. His squadron was officially Air/Sea Rescue but he told stories of running arms and ammunition to Filipino guerrillas and other exploits. He told me he never had to kill anyone a year or two before he passed.
Live in Old Harbour Jamaica, I was a member of the PBYCIA. Not far from my town was a US naval air base call Little Goat Island wear flying boat squadrons were based during the war or make stops for refueling. Squadrons like VP-32, 33,81,206 to name afew.
To the NavalAviationMuseum, thank you for another great video on WWII war birds. I would like to ask to do presentation about the SB2C Curtis Helldiver, the most underrated attack bomber shipping but close ground cover for the marines and Gl's on the island hopping campaign. The accomplishments far outweigh the fact that it had so many problems in the beginning as many aircraft did at that time. Was it hard to fly, yes, was it effective , fast and deadly? Yes. Please do a segment on this great aircraft. Thanks
My cousin flew PBY Catalinas, blimps, and F4U Corsairs when he was in the Navy in World War II. He also taught mathematics at Annapolis later in his career. I never knew any of that, until after he died, and his local paper published a story about him. He also did a bunch of awesome and cool stuff, when he wasn't in the Navy. My mother's family was bad about not bragging on one another's accomplishments, so all I ever knew was that cousin Herman was in the Navy. ...Mom always made out, like he was just some desk jockey (Not that there's anything wrong with that)!
