The Most Underrated US Combat Plane Of WW2

[@charliekendall4288]

While delivering mail one day I delivered a package to a open front door then seeing a model PBY on a table. I walked to the back yard and saw the homeowner about 85-90 years old. "Did you fly that PBY", I asked. "You recognize the PBY", he asked "Yes sir" I replied. He was very happy to have been remembered , in small way for his WW2 service. I was working on a route which wasn't mine so I never saw him again.

[@zedoktor979]

Who is cutting onions? It’s not me🥹

[@Chris_at_Home]

I was in a Patrol Squadron in Navy from 71-75. My avionics Chief when I first got to the squadron was a 30 career man that served in a PBY squadron in the Pacific.

[@richardbenjamin8341]

Hey! I can help on the pronunciation of that sea plane tender. My father served on it just after WW2. Timber as in wood. Leer as in stare. It was a very comfortable ship. He saw a lot of China from it. PX cigarettes were better than money in post war China and he brought back some fascinating trinkets. Dad said he lived better than Truman.

[@ericsissenwein3601]

I had the same conversation while I was doing telephone repair work many years ago. The model plane was a P61. He couldn’t believe I was able to identify it. We had a wonderful conversation. We were both happy that day.

[@MakerBoyOldBoy]

This airframe is timeless and beautiful. The origin and it's development is fascinating. I was lucky to have met a Black Cat driver and briefly spoke with him. I now kick myself for not making the time to listen to his memories. Bad on me.

[@catherinekelley1026]

My grandfather. Douglas T Kelley, was the first person to ever fly the plane that was later called the PBY. He donated several hundred personal photos to the San Diego Museum of Flight that can be viewed on line. Most of the photos are of his time at PSA Airlines [ he was one of the three founders ] There is one photo of him in the pilots seat, on a lake, in front of his mothers house. He only shows up in one photo at PSA because he was the photographer. Thank you Greg for doing such a great job. Douglas E Kelley

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Wow, thanks Catherine.

[@michaelkinville177]

What a significant family legacy he created.

[@WanderCampesino]

Thanks for sharing! My first flight was aboard a PSA plane!

[@anim8torfiddler871]

My dad got to be friends with Stan Mahoney, one of Consolidated PB2Y Pilots flying missions in the Pacific theater. Stan worked at PSA after the war. in the late 1980s Stan wrote and self-published his autobiography "I'm in Aviation Now!" I think the cut-away view of the PBY shown at 14:49 is one of the sketches from his book. Stan was one of the Navy pilots starting before Pearl Harbor checking each new flying boat rolling down the concrete apron from the Factory. He and another pilot would taxi around the bay, take off and fly around San Diego for a check flight to certify the aircraft before it was delivered to a squadron in the Pacific. Later I think my dad was either his bombardier, or in the same squadron. There's a picture in his book with my dad and another crew member, sitting at a table in their Khakis in one of the officer's messes on some freshly liberated atoll, with bottles of cold beer. *_I think Stan did mechanical drafting and illustrations and exploded views of aircraft and systems for PSA._*

[@reidbronson6358]

Greg, thank you so much for this video. I will show it to my Mom, age 97, when I visit her in June in Atlanta. You see, my Dad was the Flight Engineer on a Catalina at Dutch Harbor. He attended a training program in Chicago earlier in 1941. That’s where he met Mom. Mom was an 18 year old bank teller at a large Chicago Downtown bank. Dad was cashing his paycheck and picked the prettiest teller. While she was cashing his check, he asked her for a date. Since he was a sailor, she said no. During his entire training, he kept cashing his paychecks at her window and kept asking her out. After a few months, she finally accepted. Dad was a Southern boy from Louisiana and a Methodist. Her family was German Catholic. It took a while for Dad to win them over. A few months before the attack on Pearl, he graduated and became a Flight Engineer on Cats. Half his class went to Pearl. Half went to Dutch Harbor. Dad went to Dutch Harbor. Mom and Dad were already talking marriage. Dad said he would convert to Catholicism to satisfy her family. He started taking lessons from a Catholic Navy Chaplain. Well, I believe it was June 2, 1942. Admiral Nimitz had all the Catalinas at Dutch Harbor, Midway and Pearl looking for the Japanese. All the Dutch Harbor Cats were notified by Dutch Harbor that the base was being heavily attacked by Japanese Carrier planes. The Cats were told not to return to base. They were on their own. They did not have the fuel to reach any other Navy base. They decided to keep looking for the Japanese knowing full well they would end their mission in the North Pacific waters. As they exhausted their fuel, they radioed their final position and landed in the rough seas. They almost immediately floundered but were all able to make it into a life raft. They rode the waves for three days. Fortunately, a Tin Can found them before the Japanese did. They all had to spend time in the hospital for exposure. I don’t believe all the Dutch Harbor Catalina crews returned safely. The crew eventually received Survivors’ Leave. When Dad made it to Seattle, he called Mom. He officially asked for her hand in marriage. She said yes. He said he would arrive in three days by train. They agreed to marry the day after he arrived in Chicago. The women at Mom’s church organized a wedding in those three days. The Catholic Church waved the religious requirements for men returning to combat. The City of Elmhurst waived the blood test and issued a quick Marriage License for men returning to combat. Mom already had her wedding dress. It was in her Hope Chest. Like most Moms, her Mother had made her a beautiful wedding dress several years earlier and placed it Mom’s hope chest. After a beautiful wedding and reception(in the church hall), they spent a week at a fancy Downtown Hotel. Hotels were giving combat veterans incredible deals on hotel rooms. Then Dad said goodbye to Mom and boarded a train heading west. Back to Dutch Harbor. Back to the war. Dad passed in 2013 at the age of 93. 27 years in the Navy. 20 years with McDonnell Douglas building F-4s and F-15s. Mom and Dad were married for 71 years. 5 kids. Mom’s still going strong at 97 and living in their home outside Atlanta. One tough Navy wife. What a magnificent generation. We are all so lucky. Greg, thank you so much for your video. I will also show it to my son next week when I visit him in Florida. Like his Grandfather, he is also in military aviation. Today, he is on the team designing and building the nation’s next stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider. I’m sure he’ll enjoy your video.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Hi Reid, great post, I'm grateful you shared all that with us.

[@throatpunch4789]

Thank you for sharing that story

[@davidmanning7912]

Great story, romance, persistence, drama and a happy ending. Thanks for sharing

[@thomasstevenrothmbamd2384]

Wow! What a phenomenal personal story to enhance this excellent aviation history presentation.

[@southronjr1570]

I saw your other post on the other PBY video. I have a question, your parents story sounds incredibly familiar to me being so similar to one I heard from an old friend of mine. Did your father by any chance live on Lake Oconee in the early 2000's ?

[@easygoing2479]

The PBY-5 Catalina is the most 'colorful' plane of WWII, one of the most ever in my opinion. They have such an organic look to them, tons of character. And the utilitarian service they provided was second to none.

[@johnreynolds7996]

One often overlooked point about the Catalina's war on Japanese shipping is that their impact goes beyond simply toting up the tonnage that they sank. Their minelaying efforts in inshore waters would often force Japanese ships to go out into deep water to avoid the minefields, which in turn made them more vulnerable to US submarines. So in that sense the Catalina nicely complimented the efforts of the submarines.

[@Scepticalasfuk]

*complemented

[@finecutpost]

What a delightful knowledgeable video. I imagine it took you a lot of time. Thank you for your time

[@markdurham5062]

Dad was on a PBY crew doing SAR based out of New Caledonia and Guam. Dad trained at Pensacola NAS, the pilot landed hard and the plane dug into the wave. It submerged up to the blisters then breached. Dad said the pilot was a great officer but was kidded afterward for trying to go Sub service.

[@wwmoggy]

my grandfather was a machinist and made some replacement parts for one in the 70s and scored a ride for me just around the field for 5 min or so for my 16th birthday.

[@michaelkonieczny863]

i went to see one at a local museum on my 30th birthday and told the staff it was a favorite of mine, and that it was my birthday. They gave me an inside tour. it was a good day. no flight though. :)

[@tonyb7615]

u are a person i'd like to know

[@horseyhorselips3501]

Interesting my Dad worked civil service at NF Air Force Base and on my 9th Birthday he brought me to work with him and the pilot of an F-101 VooDoo Fighter Jet took me for a ride in his Jet. Best Birthday gift I ever had

[@gordonober7047]

In 1939 we lived in Pine Bluff, Ark. My Dad took us three boys to Little Rock, Ark, airport and let us take a 5 min ride in a Ford triplane, it was covered with tin . Look one up real cool. I was 5 bros 7&9.

[@tonyb7615]

@@horseyhorselips3501 call him. give him a hug.

[@keystonebrotherb]

Very informative video. I thank you for archiving this information. My father served on the USS John Rodgers DD-574 during the war as a 17 year old and said the PBY’s were invaluable as rescues during battles. He also said they were collateral damage more than downed by enemy fire. His destroyer rescued quite a few crews downed by friendly fire. The John Rodgers was sold to Mexico and was the last active Fletcher class boat. When my father joined the Navy, he’d never been out of a three county area around Madison Florida. He retired in 1964 and led an honorable life as a marine instructor for HVAC systems. Smartest man I ever knew.

[@mortdk]

What I like about your videos is that you take the time to explain things technically and historically, so everybody can understand it. And I think it also shows how skilled people back in the past really were.

[@daffidavit]

I'm proud to say my dad was a part time flight engineer in a PBY while in the Navy during WWII in Pensacola Fl. He was about 18 or 19 years old near the end of the war. His main job was an aircraft mechanic who installed engines on airplanes at the base. But his skipper would need him occasionally as a flight engineer to do practice sub hunts off the coast of Florida. One day, my dad and his buddy decided to put in for sea duty in the Pacific. It was toward the end of the war and his CO told my dad and his buddy: "Are you guys crazy? You're going to stay right here in Florida and put airplanes and engines together". All I can say to his CO is, Thank you sir.

[@brandyf4088]

What a story, thanks for sharing.

[@edwardhalpin7503]

Sounds crazy nowadays, but back then most young servicemen in support units wanted to "see some action"

[@kdrapertrucker]

I always loved how the wing floats fold up to become the wingtips, seemed like a great way to eliminate drag.

[@donherley1811]

Yes indeed. This is my favorite aspect of the aircraft, too. Not only reduced drag but gained a little lift in the transition. It's a very cunning design.

[@andersmusikka]

@@donherley1811 Where the floats lowered only after water contact? Otherwise, wouldn't the aircraft lose som lift just when it needed it the most, during landing?

[@andersmusikka]

Oh wait, I see now that lowering the floats only decreases the span marginally.

[@maxsmodels]

I actually jumpseated in an early 767 that had a deplumbed FE station.

[@nigeh5326]

The Catalina and the Sunderland made a big contribution in the battle of the Atlantic and their crews performed heroically. Its a shame people aren’t more aware of their role in WW2

[@donhoward3770]

Also called the Canso in Canada?

[@undertoad13]

Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@abrahamdozer6273]

@@donhoward3770 Not quite. My Dad was a Catalina pilot and he explained the difference to me. The Catalina had no undercarriage. They landed in the water, only in the water and were "beached" on big dollies, like a small sailboat is. The Canso, the made-in-Canada version has a retractable wheeled undercarriage and it can land on water, tarmac and grass. They are different aircraft and the RCAF operated both Catalinas (see 413 Squadron Koggala Ceylon) and Cansos. He ended the war in command of an RAF Sunderland with it's 29 man combined air and ground crew.

[@bumblebob5979]

A long time since I was this excited! This must have been the most valuable aircraft in the pacific conflict! How did i miss this so blindly? Im amazed! I also want to be a Cat crew member! They really won the pacific horrible war. Im lifting my hat for these hidden heroes!

[@PeteSty]

You're right. What have we become?

[@jetvalmonte6574]

I wish all the other KZbin channels’ authors could speak as clearly as Greg. His voice is pleasant to listen to, like a professional announcer or master of ceremonies. His narratives are exceptionally well written and organized. Well done, Greg!

[@CR-xl7zu]

Same here. I speed him up a bit, but I agree about his clarity in enunciation and in choice of words.

[@Marci124]

That's the great shame about Dark Skies. Few inaccuracies, nothing that cannot be forgiven, but the diction of the presenter is unbearable to me. He's apparently a professional VA as well, and doesn't operate the channel alone.

[@Hero101010]

@@Marci124 Same, I can't bear listening to more than a couple of minutes of Dark Skies. I love listening to Greg, though! His speech is amazing!

[@clockworkbadger2363]

He has an excellent voice for this, and reminds me of Cave Johnson!

[@tommythompson6156]

Greg does well but of course he IS reading. One could say he is no Charlton Heston but NOBODY is like Charlton Heston.

[@maxsmodels]

At Midway, one Catalina was shot down and one was lost after it did an open ocean landing following the torpedo attack. That crew was rescued.

[@spammerwhammer5526]

I truly enjoyed watching this. My father was a pilot in the RAF during WW2 and his log books include some stints in Catalinas/PBY5s. He would never describe his experiences other than happy times and on occasions would wake my mother during nightmares, so this history lesson is invaluable for me. VERY MANY THANKS!

[@ivancho5854]

@ Barrel rolls with that span of wing! Crazy.

[@stephaniewilson3955]

There is a romance about Catalinas that is overlooked. They were phenomenal machines and so versatile.

[@IvorMektin1701]

My dad's favorite WWII plane.

[@zorankalina6100]

AH...like the look and utilytie of Catalina Something like DC3/skaytrain...in his frame

[@b.griffin317]

So true.

[@jjhead431]

I've had "Above an Angry Sea" in my Amazon wishlist, probably time for time for one of the Catalina books.

[@roderickcampbell2105]

Amazing aircraft. I was sort of hoping for Catalinas but thought they performed recon/patrol and rescue. Didn't know about combat capabilities. In any case, beautiful aircraft (okay, flying boat) and clearly the crews were remarkable. Brilliant video.

[@tonycrabtree3416]

As a young boy playing with airplanes, the Catalina was always a favorite of mine because of the uniqueness.

[@nickjohnson811]

I had the opportunity to take a short hop in a PBY in the early 2000s in New Zealand of all places. I was surprised at how small it was compared to modern aircraft. I'll forever be grateful to have had that opportunity to fly in such a classic aircraft. It truly punched above its weight, as they say.

[@williamcrane9248]

Such a wonderful doc. My father was a port gunner on a pby in the west pacific. He used to tell me that one of his tasks was to cook breakfast for the crew. He said they would land in a lagoon . He would lift what he called a “blister” throw over a hand grenade and scoop up wonderful fish. When I asked what did you do in ww2 said “cook”. Thank you for a wonderful description of how my dad did in these awful times.

[@dingosiccunt2297]

as ugly as the war was, I'm imagining the pilots and aircrew eating brightly colored tropical fish in a nice little south pacific lagoon. they must have appreciated those little moments.

[@davecrupel2817]

The "blisters" are the convex portholes around the side guns. They must have been latched, and thus openable & closeable. Which i didn't realize until today. :)

[@nomadnametab]

i had just moved to tucson in the 80s and the old guy next door introduced himself over the fence and invited me to come by , get acquainted. he had coffee table books on aircraft and i commented he seemed interested in aviation. he said he should, he was an aircraft engineer for years. rather flippantly i asked "anything i may have heard of?" the pby....ah, yeah. and stunned i asked "anything else?" the B-24....ah, yeah..... the B-36....ah, yeah..... then he got his photo album out . him and churchill, fdr, truman, arnold, lemay, ike.....omg. he was either on the team or in charge of these programs. fascinating old boy. an uncle was a radio op on a b-24. told him i met the guy who designed the plane. he would have liked to have met him. ah, no. he wouldn't. like to have frozen his anatomy off up those things :) his speciality seems to have been planes that flew real far and real slow. but rugged.

[@john_in_phoenix]

Yes, in the 1970s I read "Thunderbolt" by Robert S. Johnson. I read about his growing up in Lawton/Fort Sill, and that was where I lived at the time. Phone books were a thing, turned out he lived two blocks over. I really enjoyed about an hour chat with him signing my paperback copy. I was about 12.

[@mikeyoung620]

Pokemon lol it pololp

[@YourMom777-x3x]

I wish I could get the blueprint schematics poster of the watertight bulkhead compartment that is shown in this video. A Three by two would look great in the man cave.

[@Anthus.]

Wow, what an amazing life that man lived. So like did you ever get this aircraft engineer man's name?

[@nomadnametab]

@@Anthus. i figure he is long since passed. he would have to be 110 by now, so i will give his name. Rex Schmidt. i was floored looking through his photo album. the generals and political leaders . i bet that album would be worth a lot. i was so stunned by just the PBY, i was thinking piper cubs or some light aircraft😅, i actually asked anything else?.....

[@aprilius3348]

"which I'll talk about in a minute" - Greg you are a legend. There's much understatement about past technologies and you are helping people discover how advanced our engineering was close to 100 years back, still relevant to our ICE modern systems. Once an Engineer, always an Engineer. Oorah!

[@roberthutchins1507]

Loved the flight engineer stuff! My dad was a FE for TWA from 1946 till about 1990. He was one of the last FE's that didn't require a pilots license. I flew in Navy P-3's from the mid 70's till I retired in 2000, with lots of stories to tell. Navy air crews were assigned a specific airplane, and were required to perform routine maintenance on their airplane. Because of this, the crews were made up of all the separate maintenance fields. So a crew would have an engine mechanic , radio man, airframe mech, ordinance man, electrician , etc. During maintenance , the expert, would supervise the other crew members to perform the required task. Generally speaking, the FE's were the senior member, and were responsible for ensuring all tasks were completed. Hope this helps to "flesh" out how the crews were organized .

[@gerritkleintijssink5428]

The Royal Netherlands Navy Air Service in teEast Indies (INdonesia) operated 78 PBY's during WW2. On oneoccasion a Cat rescued 78 survivors from a torpedoed destroyer. With the survivors on board the crew managed to fly to Darwin using the ground effect cushion to keep the plane aloft

[@hazchemel]

OMG. Thanks for that. It brings to mind a very vivid and complex picture; and another example of the magic of humanity.

[@davidh6300]

Good old ground effect. If I am correct the ground effect begins to appear at a height approximately equal to the wingspan.

[@smithy2389]

As a Brit, love the Catalina. The backbone of Coastal command alongside our Sunderlands in the battle of the Atlantic.

[@Farweasel]

Prickled on behalf of his Dad who flew in Costal Command Forts then Liberators out of the Azores.... OH YEAH? Which Costal Command recce bombers plugged the Atlantic gap? Eh? Eh? Gottcha. My old man was a Flight Engineer. Thanks to Gregs's video I now know about ten times more about what a Flight Engineer does. I previously suspected he mostly spent his time looking out of the window trying to figure out how to smuggle black market bananas back to Britain when he got leave. (Trust me, you had to know him). Lovely bloke but never one to exert himself avoidably - Now I know he was just trying to recover from all the effort with this job.

[@stephenrickstrew7237]

To sink the Bismarck one must first find the bloody thing !

[@neilwilson5785]

Same here. The British loved it.

[@Farweasel]

@Peter Rogan Tactfully (for me) deciding to check the range of the Whiney before heaping outright scorn on that claim I stand amazed. Damn things didn't quite have the range of the Forts but exceeded that of the Libs.. So, yes, seemingly it could have plugged the gap more or less equally well.

[@raypurchase801]

@Peter Rogan Whitley?

[@marekw8979]

The PBY, will forever be immortalized by Strawberry 5, the Cat piloted by Howard Andy, that found the Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway.

[@crhu319]

Which won the war, really. Five minutes at Midway and Japan had no carrier fleet.

[@richardhertz7027]

Japan were the bullies and our know how gave them there due. I love aviation and all it's forms.

[@williampaz2092]

It’s also the plane that found the German Battleship Bismarck.

[@phillipbampton911]

If I remember correctly, the guys who should have been immortalised in that battle were the five or six plane crews who went out on an abortive night raid with torpedoes slung from their unmodified wing struts and no torpedo sights to try and slow down the Japanese fleet. Japan wasn't the only group of islands that the Divine Wind blew through.

[@billady8201]

You got the name wrong . His last name is Ady not Andy. Howard Parmalee Ady to be exact. US Navel Academy class of 1939. I am just a distant relative and know all too well that people get my last name tangled up into Andy.

[@jockwebb3435]

They sure weren't underrated by the Australian flyers. They were amazing. Coastal Command of the RAF thought pretty well of them. The amazing range and durability was factor. After the war, Australian flyer P G Taylor pioneered long distance aviation in the Pacific. His Catalina is in the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

[@malcolmshort2463]

If it hasn’t already been mentioned, the famous ‘Double Sunrise’ flights are well worth reading about. The Australian cats, operated by Qantas crews departed Columbo, for Perth, prior to dawn, then flew all that day and the following night, ‘landing’ after the second dawn, in Perth Australia, something well over 24 hours airborne! I believe all occupants were awarded the ‘Order of the Double Sunrise’. I understand these were regular flights, not ‘one offs’, primarily for VIPs and the like.

[@bbrf033]

Greg was spot on with the Bristol Beaufighter

[@smithy2389]

Yeah that was good

[@EstorilEm]

Greg is always spot-on with these videos 🤣

[@andrewboyle5550]

I had my money on the beaufighter actually. It’s an oft forgotten aircraft

[@neilwilson5785]

If you see the Beau at the RAF Museum in London, then it's clear that it is a brutal beast of war. It is huge. There are so many guns. I was a bit surprised by it, even though I had seen photos. Of course, torpedoes, bombs and rockets were mounted too.

[@captainaxle438]

No, he was biased because of his childhood Story about meeting the pilot of one. The mosquito beats it hands down.

[@paulo..ferreira]

The only confirmed sinking of an Axis submarine in brazilian waters, U-boat U-199, was scored by a PBY Catalina. The pilot flying it, Alberto Martins Torres, was awarded an US Distinguished Flying Cross for his deeds.

[@hazchemel]

Was AM Torres from Brazil, or USA?

[@paulo..ferreira]

@@hazchemel he was born in Norfolk, Virginia. His father, Aluizio Martins Torres, was a brazilian diplomat, and at that time he was deployed in the US.

[@hazchemel]

@@paulo..ferreira ;)

[@hoilst265]

I love Brazil's role in WWII. Sure, you guys got in late - but your actions in Italy are legendary. I believe the Germans buried a bunch of guys who fought to the last man under a grave marker that read "Here lies five Brazilian heroes".

[@hlsailorhlsailor9838]

As an ex-sailor, my guess the "secure" light means that "we are done for the day; secure [turn everything off and prepare everything for being left unmanned].

[@justnotg00d]

My Father flew the PBY Catalina in World War II. Thanks for the video.

[@ruffian2952]

Kilroy waged his campaign during WWII in the Quincy Shipyard....great logo.

[@nmr6988]

I'm a first time viewer. May I also say that this channel owner is a pleasure to listen to. As a retired classical singer and teacher, I appreciate such a lovely speaking voice and perfect enunciation.

[@brinx8634]

As simple a tradesman, I too enjoy a lovely speaking voice, and I concur that Gregg's enunciation is very good.

[@johnster1964]

I sing and was just thinking the same about his voice

[@spikespa5208]

Good pipes.

[@carlstritzinger6724]

I flew in several PBY's in Alaska while working immediately after the earthquake. They flew low and slow but we always got there and landing on the ocean was always just lain fun. During one flight we chased mountain goats and some bears around on Kodiak Island. The passenger seats were in the gun blisters so you could look all around. A great plane.

[@guaporeturns9472]

As late as the 90s at least one Grumman Goose shuttled between Akutan and Dutch Harbor.. got a ride from Dutch to Akutan where my crabber waited for me.. was a neat little plane.

[@d8ford]

Flew in to Annette Island on one as a young kid! Sitting in that blister was the ride of a lifetime!

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@d8ford spent a lot of time over on Gravina island camping and deer hunting( drinking)😂 mostly south of the airport but I roamed all over it.

[@erlpurnell7098]

I was a Naval Aviator flying the UH-2 during the Vietnam era. Search and Rescue was our bread and butter task. Had I been a Naval Aviator during WWII, I would most likely have tried to get into the Cats. Truly a great boat...that also flew.

[@archangel2143]

The Catalina Flying Boat is the most elegant flying boat ever designed. It was a wonderful aircraft!

[@stephenjohn439]

How about the Shorts Sunderland?

[@georgekforrpv6857]

While I think the catalina is very cool- as far as elegant- the Boeing 314 Clipper has my vote as most elegant flying boat- outside and inside! (14 person dining room!)

[@hughcameron]

Flying boats are not usually attractive, but yes the Catalina was a very elegant aircraft. I was lucky enough to see one take off from the Palm Springs Air Museum! An amazing sight - flying boat in the desert!

[@chrismayo4902]

Hit the nail on the head with that comment’ there is just a COOL factor every time I see one’ the PBY catalinas’ the Sunderland’ they were like the airplane version of the modern day RV

[@veronicaevans8134]

I was in a P3 squadron in the 70s and the old guys always raved about the safety reliability and effectiveness of the Catalinia.RIP

[@tristannieto]

Thanks so much for this video. My Great-Grandfather was a flight engineer on a PBY during the war. I never really got to understand what his role actually entailed and this really helped me with that. Love your vids - Amazing detail.

[@36736fps]

An excellent book on both PBYs and PT boats is "Expendable" by John Floyd. It is the story of Charles Beckner who served with PBY squadrons in the Philippines before and after Pearl Harbor. After the planes were destroyed he joined a PT boat squadron which participated in Dugout Doug's dash to Australia. Very interesting tale with lots of action on land, in the air, and at sea. Beckner retired as a CW04 after 31 years as the senior ranking USN NCO. Quite a career for a guy that started as a pharmacists mate.

[@disphoto]

I'm not sure that the PBY qualifies as underrated at least by those that know any WWII history. Not only was it famous for finding the Bismark and the Japanese fleet at Midway at the beginning of the war through saving so many lives from the Indianapolis at the end of the war, but it was also most famous for saving downed pilots. The PBY was also featured prominently in the major movie musical South Pacific. The one area where it was underrated, as this video points out, was as a bomber. The fact that it was active from before WWII until after the war says a lot. Definitely, the PBY punched above it weight in terms of looks and speed.

[@Philistine47]

I think there's a difference between "underrated" and "underappreciated" that often gets lost in these discussions. The PBY is probably the latter, in that relatively few people recognize the contribution the type made to the war; it is probably not the former, in that (as you say) people who _do_ know about it generally regard it as probably the best twin-engined flying boat of WW2.

[@kdrapertrucker]

Spent a lot of postwar years as a firefighting aircraft.

[@leavemealoneiknowhatimdoing]

Which movie was it in?

[@Philistine47]

@@leavemealoneiknowhatimdoing I assume the OP meant "South Pacific," a movie musical from 1958. Additionally you can check out the movies listed on this page: impdb.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Consolidated_PBY_Catalina

[@drizler]

@@leavemealoneiknowhatimdoing pick one there were many.

[@brucehilton1662]

My uncle flew the PBY in WW2. He used to talk about how early in the war they had to turn the planes around very fast to give the japanese the idea there were more of them around than there actually were. It was extremely robust and the pilots, such as he, were very confident flying it.

[@abrahamdozer6273]

My Dad also flew a PBY Catalina during WWII. He was a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. They picked up their brand-new "Lend Lease" plane right at the end of the assembly line in Lakefield New Jersey and flew it halfway around the World in nine legs: Lakefield to Lachine Quebec to Gander Newfoundland to Oban Scotland across the Bay of Biscay (at night) to Portugal, along the North African coast (They were in Tobruk, Port Said), into and over Arabia (they were in Baghdad) to Diego Garcia and on to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) ... all in a plane that travelled at 140 knots but for VERY long distances

[@hazchemel]

Thanks for that. I saw them sometimes in the 1960's, eyes rivetted; such strange and beautiful things. They, and others like float planes, used the placid lagoon like Trinity Bay, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, from where they could reach to the Torres Strait Islands and Papua New Guinea to the north, and the Solomons and other islands arcing in an eastern and slightly southern curve. Very practical in these regions for urgent and emergency transport.

[@abrahamdozer6273]

@@hazchemel There is a Canadian built Canso in the Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario. www.warplane.com/aircraft/collection/details.aspx?aircraftId=11 It's in good condition although they do not presently fly it. I saw it fly once when they first acquired it. I was in a sailing race out on Lake Ontario and they buzzed us a couple of times. My lower jaw hit the deck! Quite a snarly beast with those radial engines.

[@peterdemkiw3280]

I remember seeing some thing about pilots sitting down when they were not standing up or laying down being the reason why clothing at the time was bendy.

[@larryrodgers7309]

1​@@peterdemkiw3280

[@i-love-space390]

You are better than the history channel. You always do a DEEP DIVE into whatever subject you tackle. Us nerds love that! Thanks!

[@167curly]

As a small boy I flew in a BOAC Boeing 14 from Bermnuda to Baltimore early in 1944. Mumaid it took 5 hours for the 700 miles. I only regret that I was too young to remember it. One bit of Catalina lore was that BOAC had some civilianised Cats in WW2 which were used for high-priority passengers between Western Australia and Ceylon taking 20 hours non-stop thanks to the planes' long range. The passengers sat on their life-vests and were supplied with a thermos of soup.

[@jamiefenner9443]

+1 My neighbourhood best friend's dad, Ted Neal, was navigator on Qantas cats on the Kangaroo Route from Darwin to Ceylon at a time in the war when there was no other way to get vital documents (military, orders, diplomatic communications) between the British Empire and Australia. Mr Neal navigated by sextant on stars and sun. His knowledge of navigation stars was passed on to his son (Hi Bruce!) seeding a lifelong interest in astronomy. At 3000 miles, it was the longest regular leg in the world. Guns were stripped out and replaced with fuel tanks. Tropical storms were for flying through, not over. I presume they took off in darkness to avoid Japanese fighters. As mentioned by Mr Copeland, the crew saw two sunrises.

[@167curly]

@@jamiefenner9443 The Cats were slow, but tough and one of Lend Lease's best bargains, being able to close the unpatrolled stretch of the north Atlantic between North America & Britain, thus keeping the UBoats submerged where they were slower.

[@masuk39]

The Sea Scout group I belonged to in Western Australia used the buildings constructed by the USN for some years after the war. The boys were allowed to enter the area as they patrolled the waters of Crawley Bay for floating debris. Perth residents didn't know the aircraft were on active duty, and many of the PBYs returned with bullet holes in them as they were patrolling for submarines.

[@markgordon2260]

The "Secret Order of the Double Sunrise" was awarded to passengers.

[@johnypitman2368]

My uncle was in the area when we dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan. He was on a air-sea rescue flight in a pby/ Catalina just in case the Enola Gay ran into trouble. His generation were made of steel. A quietly devote Christians big guy. They mustered out in Florida so he bought a new harly when the war ended in 45 and rode it home to Northern California. He was a role model extraordinaire

[@thomasstevenrothmbamd2384]

Wow! What a phenomenal personal story.

[@cliftontorrence839]

Well, now, Sir, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you ! I had never known much about this aircraft, BUT I did know a bit about data collection, preparation, image review and research, documentation, writing, presentation, editing, and so on. You get my vote for the most underrated KZbinr ! An absolutely REMARKABLE job.

[@victorbatres2065]

I have always loved Catalina's.They are unsung hero's. There is a good book that gives the account of a PBY"s in WW II. It's called "Black Cats and Dumbos" by Mel Crocker. If you like PBY's it's a must read. Also there is a PBY on display at the air museum in Norfolk Virgina. Incredible plane.

[@falcon3431]

My great uncle flew these for the RAAF in the war north of Darwin. One mission he was shot down behind enemy lines and was picked up by the US navy. He kept one of the small wooden paddles he and his crew used in the life raft, and it remains in our family to this day. By all accounts a very tough and reliable aircraft being shotup regularly by Japanese small arms, AA, fighters and surface vessels.

[@paulgambill]

I’m going for the F4F Wildcat because I think Greg mentioned it in an earlier video. He said something along the lines of it being under-appreciated and over-shadowed but it being there in the early days of the war when we were designing and producing planes like the F4U and such.

[@Wallyworld30]

Good choice brother! Wildcat was every bit the equal of the A6M Zero. At start of the war A6M was finding more success because the Japanese Pilots had much more experience from fighting China for years. Once the pilots were on par with each other I venture a guess that Wildcat might has slightly edged out the Zero. I'd love to see a graph plotted on a timeline to show how the Wildcat kill ratio changed over the war.

[@aprilius3348]

@@Wallyworld30 USA had the advantage of expensive R&D so engine development was a strong point vs. the Japanese. Even stuck with the Wildcat the US could upgrade it to more powerful engine, however the airframe was not worth the effort as the Hellcat was soon coming into service. Another advantage was the possibility to increase the Octane rating of the fuel supplied by the US/Britain over the war.

[@kimjanek646]

I had the same thought :)

[@bryangrote8781]

Was thinking Wildcat also until he mentioned a torpedo and bombs being used to sink ships and knew it must be something else. Never would’ve guessed PBY. Knew it could carry light bombs but never knew torps could be carried.

[@Philistine47]

@@Wallyworld30 F4Fs managed almost exactly a 1:1 kill ratio vs A6Ms in the first year of the war. The USN entered the war with a highly-trained cadre of professional pilots; OTOH experience in China was good for getting the first combat shakes out of the way, but arguably taught Japanese fliers a lot of "lessons" that didn't apply against a peer opponent (see Eric Bergerud's _Fire in the Sky_ re: the air war in the South Pacific).

[@KandRbar]

We have a PBY-5A here in VA Beach’s Military Aviation Museum. I love watching her fly.

[@mrc6182]

Thank you for this! My late father flew PBY's out of a base in Brazil during WW2.

[@billenright2788]

Am reading about the 'Black Cats'. They used Cats' as night-time stealth bombers in the Pacific.

[@billnu]

That’s a great book. I assume it’s Black Cat Raiders? Might have the name wrong, it was a while ago

[@billenright2788]

@@billnu THE book on the Black Cats: 'Black Cats With Wings of Gold' by A.J. Mueller. Mueller was a member of the 'Cats and the book is excellent.

[@billnu]

@@billenright2788 I have to find my book right now. I read it years 25? Ago Vague memory of an aviation event and an older man with glasses sitting at a table. May have spoken of may have just had a display with the books. Is it signed? Have to find out right now

[@steveperreira5850]

Goes to show that the right size sensibly designed aircraft is the best friend you can have. Too bad for the Bismarck and the Japanese fleet at Midway, good riddance to all of those totalitarian jerks. I’m glad their sons are dead at the bottom of the sea.

[@billenright2788]

@@steveperreira5850 Hold grudges much?? Damn dude, that shit was almost 80yrs ago. Relax.

[@robjohnson8522]

Hey, it was an aside in the overall story but when you talked about the float plane racers I wanted to add that one of the major reasons they were held on the water is that the constant speed prop had not been invented yet. The props were pitched for the top end of their speed range so the prop just cavitated at low airspeed. So take-off acceleration was VERY low. I once read the Supermarine racer the Merlin engine was developed in took 5 miles to break water.

[@patrickshaw8595]

Fine point: That was the Rolls Royce "R" racing engine which morphed into the Griffon. Fun Fact: THE EXACT SAME "R" ENGINE FLEW IN THE PLANE, PLANED IN THE BOAT AND DROVE THE AUTOMOBILE THAT HELD ALL THREE SPEED UNLIMITED SPEED RECORDS SIMULTANEOUSLY ! ! !

[@tomstrum6259]

I had long forgotten about the PBY's & loved to read mission stories of the "Black Cats" !! ....Thx much for putting up this comprehensive video !

[@KathrynLiz1]

There's an "A" version owned by one our local vintage aircraft buffs, and it is flown into events all over NZ....

[@fungoidfest100]

My father was a flight engineer with VP-81 in 1943, and it's nice to see some light shed on this aspect of naval aviation.

[@fredmaas2659]

Thank you for this excellent video! The PBYs were definitely very underrated. My dad served in the South Pacific as an ordinance-man for the Cats. He really understood what great planes they were and how valuable they were as night raiders against the Japanese shipping. He told one story of “hitchhiking” on a Cat to a different island base where he needed to be. His ride was fully loaded with a very large number of cases of beer for the service men. I don’t remember how many, but he said there was no room to walk around the plane and that the ocean was lapping mere inches from the plane's side blisters. He knew it would never get off the “ground” but having miles of open ocean as a “strip” it eventually lifted off!

[@AnimeSunglasses]

It would never have entered my mind that the PBY would be that underappreciated. It's a shoo-in for one of my top five favs!

[@stevenhenry9605]

Yes, I was thinking from the video title this would be about the P-39 or some such. I've always thought the Catalina was a fantastic and essential aircraft.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

@@stevenhenry9605 The book that kickstarted my interest in WWII history was an account of the Battle of Midway that talked quite a lot about the Catalina's role as scout and rescue. It's as fundamental to my love of historical aviation as any plane could ever be.

[@dmenace9827]

I'm Australian. My uncle flew PBYs out of Darwin, in northern Australia during WWII. He said they where a great kite to fly.

[@MrGrenadeMcBoom]

I'm a US Navy sailor that had too much of a good time in Darwin on ANZAC day. Y'all can drink and I love you for it.

[@dmenace9827]

@@MrGrenadeMcBoom I was in the Aussie Navy, late 70s/early80s. I did a few RIMPACs and had a lotta fun when we pulled into Pearl Harbour.

[@falcon3431]

My great uncle used to fly these out of Darwin as well, was once shot down behind enemy lines. The family still has the small wooden paddle he used in the life raft. Small world.

[@si_vis_amari_ama]

Ditto for my RAAF Airman Dad; he said the same. (and the Mozzies, Hudsons and DC3). He referred to the latter as DC3 never C47. Oh and I forgot Kittyhawk.

[@SanBrunoBeacon]

Thanks for this great video about a truly underrated, versatile plane. Approximately 3,300 PBYs were built. Their missions included, but were not limited to, naval interdiction and night attacks, search and rescue, ASW, and marine patrol. They certainly weren't the fastest, most maneuverable, or highest-flying planes. However, the PBYs saved many lives and engaged in many significant missions that helped win WW-2.

[@uflux]

My Grandfather flew the Catalina in the Solomons for the RNZAF. He would tell me about sitting on the beach at night watching the Japanese warships come up the slot.

[@glacier6996]

My Uncle flew in the black cat squadrons in the Solomans and Guadalcanal. He was a blister bubble gunner.

[@stunick1573]

@Wesley Sandel I believe you are referring to 31 Knot Arleigh Burke destroyer squadron commander during that period, name sake of the Arleigh Burke Destroyers. He would chase the Japanese ships back to the large Japanese base/harbor at Ruball and then, sprint back with his 6 or 7 fellow destroyers in line to American/Australian/New Zealand protected zones by day break.

[@philipjooste9075]

As for the Cats' super long range capability: On 24 May 1943, Lt. Vonk and crew of 321 Squadron RAF (which was a Netherlands Naval Air Service unit) flew their PBY-5A amphibian on a mission that lasted 18 hours and 49 minutes, during which an attack was made on U-178 off the South African coast. In the same area, South African Air Force No.25 Squadron, operating Catalina Mk.Ibs (PBY-5) flying boats, regularly flew missions of up to 21 and a 1/2 hours into the Southern Ocean. 25 Squadron SAAF is credited with 2 U-boats sunk and 1 damaged.

[@steveperreira5850]

Great story, I never get tired of hearing about Nazi bastards being killed, any way It’s done is good, especially satisfying when a beautiful Catalina kills them off.

[@fafner1]

During the war Quantas ran nonstop PBY flights between Perth, Australia, and Ceylon. They used the non-amphibious version for its greater range. The planes were stripped of de-icing gear and other non-essentials, and took off overloaded after extended take off runs of up to several miles. The flights were 4000 miles in length and took between 27 and 33 hours. Cargo was restricted to 3 passengers and 152 lbs of diplomatic mail. The first part of the flight was the most dangerous; until they burned of a significant fraction of the their fuel they were too heavy to stay up on one engine.

[@mthury4532]

@@fafner1 A recent issue of TheAviation Historian had a very informative article about Quantas’ Indian Ocean services.

[@ericanthony9536]

My uncle Paul flew on the flight crew of a PBY in WWII in the Pacific; so this was a wonderful history video to come across. Thank you

[@vintagetintrader1062]

Living in Bowen Nth Queensland. Bowen was one of the main bases for the “Black Cats” Pacific Squadron The concrete ramp for the PBY’s to get out of the water is still in existence to this day.

[@davidlium9338]

I do not know if anyone mentioned this but try the book by Stephen Coonts “Black Cats” I believe is the title.

[@graemebdh2172]

Australia’s Catalina flying boat base during WWII was at Lake Boga near Swan Hill in Northern Victoria. There is now a Cat in a small museum there. HARS (Historical Aircraft Restoration Society) has a flying Catalina at its base at Albion Park in New SouthWales.

[@Colt45hatchback]

Im going to have to head out and see it, thanks for the heads up

[@si_vis_amari_ama]

@@Colt45hatchback They have a good collection open to the public, worth a visit. The Cat still gets out for a fly on occasion.

[@stevenkeating225]

Great video Greg. Thanks for shedding some light on, what was for me, a great career as a Flight Engineer. I started in 1977 at age 24, as a Flight Engineer on the Canadair CL44. Then went on to the Boeing 720B, 707, L1011 and retired from flying in 2013 after 15 years on the Airbus A300B4. Managed to get around most of the world and I cannot remember one day where I thought, "God, I don't want to go to work today". Best job in the world. Really like your videos, great to see serious research and some much needed myth busting. Please keep it up.

[@brucebaxter6923]

My grandfather was logistics boss for Australian Catalina base.

[@IRONHEAD12701]

My uncle flew with Greg Boyington in Burma with the Flying tigers P-40 and then USMC VMF-214 Chance/Vought F4U4 Corsair. He loved the Corsair. Later on, he worked for Flying Tigers, then returned to the Marines in Korea and flew the Corsair again. Eventually he flew the F-4 in Vietnam where he was shot down over the South China Sea. He retired from the Marines in 71, 32 years, a Full bird Colonel.

[@glacier6996]

What was your Uncles name?

[@spindash64]

My Great Uncle drove trucks for the army mostly, but he “got volunteered” once to serve as a gunner on a B-17. One of the crew handed him a lighter after the whole ordeal. “Devil’s own Army Air Force”, if I remember what my Dad told me correctly

[@oldvet7547]

God bless your uncle. Would have been an honor to shake his hand and buy hi a beer. Army 72-75.

[@xiniks]

As a kid The first time I saw a Catalina was at a friends home, a model his stepfather made. It always struck me as a true adventurers plane.

[@evancourtney7746]

Re: C5 "those things go all over the world, and they break down all the time, so you get to spend some time there." ROLFL!! No truer words were spoken!

[@m.e.345]

When I was a kid, the local library used to have lots of books about aeronautical history.. now, no more. (Thanks, Greg.. for taking me back!)

[@CR-xl7zu]

Try your state's interlibrary loan. It's nice when good stuff is local (can't beat browsing the stacks), but often you can still get it through the library that way.

[@neonone9164]

My grandpa was a flight engineer on a black cat. There were missions they flew that were classified he couldn't talk about so the success of these planes is even more than is known. Great vid, glad to see someone talking about them my grandpa would of loved to see this as he always talked about how underated these cats were and how they played a big part that is seldom talked about. Thank you for honoring this legacy

[@ohwell2790]

There where missions he could not talk about, that was 70 years ago. Been declassified by time ,what BS is that? I held a top secret clearance ( 1964 -1968) and later (1982-1990) and once out after 9 years it is gone That fact he decided not to talk about it after all that time it was just flying around. More BS from grandpa.

[@shooter2055]

Frank Talman and Paul Mantz. Aviators extraordinaire for cinema. Pencil sharpener. Am I old enough?

[@glenwoodriverresidentsgrou136]

Their company was “Talmantz” as shown on the manual. Great coup to find that manual!

[@galenhaugh3158]

I still use a pencil sharpener on my Dixon Ticonderoga #2 HB soft pencils. But my favorite pencil is a #7 hard drafting pencil that rarely needs sharpening but when it does, my old rotary does it nicely.

[@spikespa5208]

Paul Mantz, an amazing pilot, unfortunately killed during filming of the 1st Flight of the Phoenix movie.

[@steveperreira5850]

My guess was pencil sharpener also. It’s not clear photo.

[@davidevans7143]

When I was 2 years old I flew with my mother in a Mars Seaplane. It was 1955 from Honolulu Hawaii to San Fransisco.

[@captainsalty9022]

That was probably on a Martin Mars. I did the same trip, age 4.

[@geraldstephens7481]

My dad was a PBY Chief Petty Officer engineer in the Aleutians. Thank you for your videos. He made a photo album of his time up there.

[@katarinazelenova4748]

The 1976 movie "Midway" has the PBY in several key scenes, also Kenneth More namedrops the Catalina when mentioning the search for Bismarck, in Sink the Bismarck, which also had several scenes filmed inside HMS Vanguard right before the ship was sold and broken up.

[@steveperreira5850]

Japanese brass were wise to take out the Catalinas at Pearl Harbor, to focus on them. The Catalinas got even at Midway. Spotting The Japanese fleet first was key to victory.

[@rootsid]

I've always thought the PBY was a real beauty.

[@NoNo-fy3kr]

My father was in the Navy during WW2. He served on a Seaplane tender.

[@squealteamsix479]

There was a PBY undergoing restoration at the airport in Brady Texas in 2019. AT the time I seen it, the "Cat" was disassembled and being stripped of paint. Great video

[@RemusKingOfRome]

There was a flying "Black Cat" catalina here in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. At an airshow we plebs were allowed inside and talk to the crew. AMAZING how small the interior is, especially for the engineer, I could not enter the small area. The Sunderland had far more room for rescuees.

[@steveperreira5850]

I hope they get it flying. If there was any plane I ever want to ride on, it is the PBY5A Catalina!

[@seanmalloy7249]

@@RemusKingOfRome I remember thinking the same thing some years ago at the CAF airshow out here when I got to go through the Collins Foundation's B-17 "Nine-O-Nine"; learning that the movies and TV programs I watched as a kid lied horrendously about the interior. That plane was *tiny* inside. When I read Martin Caidin's book about the B-17 and read that there had been a B-17 pilot who was 6'7" tall (and a gunner even taller), I wondered how he managed to fit in the space available with all of his flight gear. Keeping the volume inside the fuselage/hull to a minimum was a primary concern for reducing drag to maximize speed and range.

[@ken0272]

fuel flow through a transparent tube...that's a rotameter, still used in industry (but not for gasoline!), fuel flows through a glass tube, with graduated scale engraved on the outside giving the flowrate, inside is a weighted 'float' , with a diameter less than the tube, that moves up the tube as the fuel flow around it increases.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Awesome! Thanks, I could not find anything about it.

[@life_of_riley88]

These are extremely common for gaseous flow monitoring, often you will see them atop a welding tank, or a large compressed gas dewer. Since compressed gasses act similarly to liquids in contained plumbing systems, the same principal of calculated flow rate based on bypass of a ball within a graduated tube or cylinder still applies.

[@omerashraf9357]

@@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles Greg today I left you an important comment.

[@omerashraf9357]

@@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles I also pointed out some mistakes in the taiwan p 47 video as well and left some valuable links. Scrolling down the comment section I replied to you under the comment : Oh waiting for this one :) Also the follow-up on Mosquito. Your content is amazing!

[@aussiebloke609]

Sounds like the same thing you'd find on the wall when putting an engine head on a flow bench.

[@longuecarbine]

I really enjoyed the video. I spent part of my career repairing seaplanes and Grumman flying boats. Here on the west coast of British Columbia there were several Canadian Canso (PBY) bases. I worked out of one in Prince Rupert, BC. A few miles NW of the Tofino airport there is a fairly intact Canso laying in the muskeg. It crashed after take off from the base. There is a large crater near the airplane where the detonated the mine it was carrying. We currently have one of the original Canso's that was based here in Victoria during the war, that has been restored to military configuration and colors. The Canso is also in airworthy condition and is frequently flown to local airshows.

[@bradleybarnhart4188]

Forty years ago I was interviewing for a desperately needed law enforcement job and it was not going well. The older Detective had a Kingfisher on his desk and after racking my brain for the name I finally commented he had a nice Kingfisher model. He looked shocked and asked "How the Hell do you know what that is?" Yes I got the job.

[@eucliduschaumeau8813]

That's using your head in an interview, old school style. Pointing out something as obscure as that plane.

[@jerrycottrell302]

It pays to know your bird's names !!!

[@vincentmazzola7230]

The Cat was the only plane that took off at 90 kts cruised at 90 kts and landed at 90 kts😀

[@robertstack2144]

@@vincentmazzola7230 and taxied at 90 knots

[@Tomyironmane]

@@vincentmazzola7230 It could stay up all day and being able to cruise that speed made it great for spotting downed pilots.

[@marijnfly]

Bell P-39 Airacobra. The early history is about superchargers. And the career choice is about an aircraft mechanic enlisting for pilot training in '42.

[@SolarWebsite]

Ooh a video about that airplane would be cool!

[@drawingboard82]

We know all about that pilot!kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5zJnIahp7h5eKc

[@kdrapertrucker]

Oh.....don't give me a P-39, with the engine mounted behind, it'll tumble and roll and dig a big hole, don't give me a P-39.

[@jefferyduffey5056]

The late great Chuck Yeager. The 363rdFS he flew in is now the 164thAS, a C130 unit in the Ohio Air Guard.

[@MrGeoffHilton]

Always loved the Catalina, I built an Airfix kit of it in the 60s and was impressed by the way the wing tip floats folded up into the wings and wheels that fold into the fuselage, the plane is just so practical, they should make a modern version with economical jet engines and modern avionics / weapons. Great video, subbed.

[@justforfux]

The Japanese have built a new seaplane, the Shinmaywa US-2; it has turboprop engines (propeller engines) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqrMfmeAoKtpnNk

[@dalemaloney255]

the plane is just so practical, they should make a modern version with economical jet engines and modern avionic

[@stevewolfe6096]

Then there was the Cat that acted as a “ski” plane (on its belly) rescuing downed crew on ferry runs in Greenland.

[@williamcharles9480]

PBY Catalina: Definitely not a lumbering flying boat, but a graceful design that lives on through the ages. It's appreciated that you included the efforts of the "Black Cats". There are some interesting on-line stories about the efforts of these clandestine crews who often had to improvise in order to maintain their Catalinas in flying condition. As for your channel Greg, I'm very glad to be a new subscriber, your thorough dialog and graphic displays make for a wonderful lesson. Your clarity of speech is a considerable aid to those who may find what you share interesting, but don't have English as their first language. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge; looking forward to viewing your other videos.

[@drizler]

I like the tale of Bob Hope taking the controls for a bit while going on to another island show. The pilots got comfortable in the back with the showgirls and left Hope happily flying until on engine gave out and they ran to the rescue.

[@dennismason3740]

I lived in Inglewood in the fifties and we went to the beach a lot. I saw several Cats in white and red serving the Coast Guard. One beautiful plane.

[@pugle1]

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum has a beautiful flying example. I'm lucky enough to see it in the air on a regular basis. >>> www.warplane.com/aircraft/collection/details.aspx?aircraftId=11

[@dennismason3740]

@@pugle1 - thank you for that. A beautiful airplane.

[@BigRedPower59]

My father served on AV-10 USS Chandeleur. He had many interesting stories to tell about “The Cat”.

[@jimreilly917]

I love getting into the dusty corners of WWII. 56 and still learning. Excellent presentation. Thanks.

[@rudewalrus5636]

My dad flew PBY-5a's in the Aleutians. Getting into one, preferably for a flight, is very, very high on my bucket list.

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

Love the Cat. The best airshow plane as well. I call it"The flying hotel". They were set up for long range patrols so they were set up with a small galley and sleeping area. Even had an onboard toilet. Want to go fishing? No problem.

[@flomerdr]

If you have still never been on a Catalina, you need to make a trip to Oak Harbor, WA on Whidbey Is., the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum has one they are in the process of restoring.

[@not_that_game8742]

8:26 Hey! Japan is not the only country that operates flying boats. Russia uses Be-200 for military purposes, too.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

I am sure you are right, but I have never seen one.

[@omerashraf9357]

@@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles it also spotted the Bismarck.

[@omerashraf9357]

@@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles you made some mistakes in your Taiwan video.

[@markgranger9150]

The Air force uses the Gruman Albatross

[@snowpdx]

"It should be obvious that this plane isn't going to set any speed records. For one thing, it's fuselage is a boat" took me out

[@spindash64]

Get yourself a plane who can do both

[@billthomas635]

The question "Was it there when it was needed?" is critical. The ME 262 was great BUT it wasn't there when it could have changed the course of the war. I'm a great fan of the P 51 but a lot of bombers were shot down before it was there to escort them. By way of contrast the Hurricane and to a lesser degree the Spit were there in numbers in 1939 and the Battle Of Britain. The Cat too was there when needed. The F5F may not have been able to turn inside a Zero but it was there and tactics were developed to improve the odds.

[@vladdrakul7851]

Yes more Greg. We are being spoiled by his recent output. Another fascinating rundown with some great Greg philosophy on actual usefulness vs myths!! I think the Catalina is a very handsome plane! I would love to have one for non military uses. Great for family outings, wanderlust or magnificent groovy picnics where ever you want to be! I would love to live in that during the summer here in Sweden. I think I'm in love!

[@ΓΕΡΑΣΙΜΟΣΔΡΑΚΑΤΟΣ-π9θ]

I imagine escaping in a tropical island using a Catalina.

[@gyrogearloose1345]

The American singer Jimmy Buffett has or had a big seaplane, often referred to as Catalina, In fact apparently it's this: Hemisphere Dancer is singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett's personal seaplane. A Grumman HU-16 Albatross flying boat, serial number 137928 and civil registration number N928J, the aircraft is central to the action in Buffett's best-selling memoirs, A Pirate Looks at 50. (from Wikipedia) Well, he got there before you - best of luck with your dream!

[@martineastburn3679]

My cousin (same last name) flew a Mars in sea air rescue in the South Pacific in the late 50's up to the middle 60's. He dove in to save someone and did but got a massive infection from Fire Coral. He died 2 years later in severe pain back in the US. I don't know how many lives he saved and how many babies delivered on the way to a hospital. Nice man he was. RIP Eastburn.

[@guaporeturns9472]

Thanks for sharing that story. Love the Mars

[@kayeninetwo3585]

Wow....DETAILED video!!! Thanks for making the effort to put this together. All of the flying boats of WW2 were among the most visually striking aircraft of the war. Thanks for the education, Greg!

[@francisbusa1074]

Great vid, Greg! I never thought about the difference between flying boats and float planes. But it makes perfect sense. U.S. Navy vietnam vet Gunners Mate 2nd. Love your very informative videos, sir. Carry on!

[@191941pilot]

I was at Darwin Airport in the late 1980's when a Catalina requested a fuel truck, then a second truck. I was glad I wasn't paying the bill. They do look like a duck out of the water when up on their wheels.

[@MarioHernandez-dp3lz]

This was a very well made video, about a very cool and not very often talked about plane. I love yhe concept of a flying boat. We need to bring them back. Nowadays: everybody is always rushing to get nowhere and forget about the journey. Thanks again for the great video. 🍻

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

My father was flying in PBY's from Corpus Cristi NAS when Pearl was bombed. He was a crew member towing targets. NAO 1c 1940-1945.