Canadair CL-1 Catalina (G-PBYA)

ICONIC AIRCRAFT

Many, many years ago, a friend, Herb Shriner, owned one of these. He flew it out of Ft. Lauderdale. As I recall, the Flight Engineers station was in the pylon with a small window on either side.

Many, many years ago, a friend, Herb Shriner, owned one of these. He flew it out of Ft. Lauderdale. As I recall, the Flight Engineers station was in the pylon with a small window on either side.

This airframe has a fascinating history. It came off a Canadian production line (variously reported as Vickers or Boeing Canada) on 27 Oct 1943 and was delivered to the RCAF. Post-war it was a freighter and a fire bomber. Eventually it was acquired by Catalina Aircraft Ltd of Duxford, England and painted as USAAF 44-33915, which has a dramatic story, eventually meeting its demise in the North Sea after being strafed by Me-262s while attempting to rescue a downed P-51 pilot. Good history, including text of the "Air Sea Rescue Mission Report" and amendments (read all the way to end to see the correction of Me-210 to Me-262) here :
https://www.catalina.org.uk/history-of-44-33915/
More history (sometimes conflicting) here [search for the airframe serial number 11005] here :
https://www.catalina.org.uk/our-catalina-g-pbya/
https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframePhotoViewer.php?Serial=84651 http://silverhawkauthor.com/canadian-warplanes-3-consolidated-catalina-boeing-canada-canso-a-and-canadian-vickers-canso-a-_723.html

"Sighted sub; sank same"

Very nice; a Canadian built Consolidated PBY, UK-registered, in U.S. paint!

Keep 'em flying!

My dad was the plane commander on an early-model PBY (non-amphib) that went down not far from the Galapagos Islands on 10-14-1943 while searching for an overdue convoy inbound to Panama. A fuel line burst up in the tower, causing him to have to land in heavy seas before the engines quit from fuel starvation. The fuel was gradually filling the hull. They didn't radio a mayday since they feared a spark from the transmitter might ignite the fuel collecting in the hull. They were eventually located by a search plane as they floated around on the PBY. Eventually an oil tanker was diverted to their location, taking the plane under tow. Slow towing speed caused them to abandon the idea of saving the plane for fear of U-boats in the area. They worked hard with various small arms, trying to sink it, but it finally took the deck gun to make it sink. Very rugged aircraft that survived landing in heavy seas, kept the crew safe for 2-3 days, and then refused to sink easily. I'm glad they all survived, as I wasn't born until 2 and 1/2 years later.

Bill, there are so many incredible untold stories of heroism and survival from WWII,and this is one of them. God bless your father and his shipmates.

One of the Best

In WW II, my dad was a command pilot on PBY patrol bombers and PBMs. Sub patrols would last upwards to 8-10 hours. I have his log books from his first flight at Olathe NAS, KS to the end of the war. Great reading listing all the different a/c he was rated in.

The CAT is part of aviation legends and.. dream..