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Science & Technology
Wheels on Water - The Slow, Ugly, and Incredibly Successful Consolidated PBY Catalina
2021-09-24
A fella I worked on aircraft engines with, way back in another lifetime, said that Navy pilots called them 90-90-90.

90 knots takeoff speed, 90 knots cruise speed, 90 knots landing speed



Summer of 1984 I believe. I was walking the flight line at the old Ladd AFB, Fort Wainwright, Alaska one evening and saw a PBY parked there. I walked over for a closer look and the pilot climbed out. He asked me if I wanted to take a tour. He was a crusty old Texan who had flown them in WWII. It was outfitted with fire retardant chemical tanks. He had a three month BLM contract. He's had the contract for several years. He was sure proud of that old bird.
Posted by:badanov

#4  Ugly?

I know, right?
Posted by: badanov   2021-09-24 18:48  

#3  Ugly?
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2021-09-24 18:34  

#2   The PBY was the most numerous aircraft of its kind, with around 3,300 aircraft built.
Posted by: Bertie Crains2651   2021-09-24 08:49  

#1  There's a PBY fuselage covered in blue tarps awaiting restoration at Jack Bolt Field here in NSB.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2021-09-24 08:42  

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