The Consolidated PBY Catalina the flying boat and amphibious aircraft that served in World War 2 attacking German U Boats & German ships sinking around 40 U Boats
In Canadian service it was known as the Canso.
It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II.

Catalinas served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other nations
The last military PBYs served until the 1980s. As of 2021, 86 years after its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as a waterbomber (or airtanker) in aerial firefighting operations in some parts of the world. None remain in military service.


Role: Maritime patrol bomber, search and rescue seaplane
National origin: United States
Manufacturer: Consolidated Aircraft
Built by: Boeing Canada (PB2B)
Canadian Vickers (PBV)
Naval Aircraft Factory (PBN)
Soviet Gidrosamolet Transportnii factory at Taganrog (GST)
First flight: 21 March 1935
Introduction: October 1936, United States Navy
Retired: January 1957 (United States Navy Reserve) & 1982 (Brazilian Air Force)
Primary users: United States Navy / United States Army / Air Forces / Royal Air Force
& The Royal Canadian Air Force
Produced: 1936–1945
Number built: 3,308 (2,661 U.S.-built
620 Canadian-built
27 Soviet-built







.