TCPS FAQ

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What do the following acronym’s mean?

P.B.Y. In the United States the designation “PBY” for this aircraft was determined in accordance with the U.S. Navy aircraft designation system of 1922.

“PB” representing “Patrol Bomber” and “Y” being the code assigned to Consolidated Aircraft as its manufacturer.

P.B.V. In Canada, the same US designed and manufactured PBY-5A Catalina were also built by Canadian Vickers in Cartierville Quebec under the designated “PBV-5A”. “PB” for Patrol Bomber and “V” for Vickers.
PB2B PBY-5A’s built by Boeing of Canada in Vancouver BC were designated by the USN as PB2B. ”. “PB” for Patrol Bomber and “B” for Boeing.

PBN PBY Catalina’s built by the US Naval Aircraft Factory were designated PBN

OA-10 Many PBYs and PBVs served in the USAAF, and there they were called OA-10.

GST Gidro Samolyet Transportnyi “MOP” (NATO designation for the Soviet Lend-Lease GST’s)

What is the difference between a Catalina and a Canso?

Six Days! … There are many interesting ongoing discussions surrounding this topic and much individual forensic sleuthing. But the best Canadian records to date indicates that between the 17^th and the 22^nd of December 1941 the Canadian Military ceased using the designation PBY Catalina and began using the new designation(s) CANSO for the pure PBY Catalina boat and CANSO A for the amphibious version of the Catalina.(24)( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PBY/message/7463)

Why the PBY Catalina is called a “Pig Boats”.

The PBY Catalina was given many affectionate nicknames over the years. Cat; Mad Cat, Black Cat, Dumbo, P-Boat, Y-Boat (Dutch Navy nickname) Canso, Mop (NATO designation for Soviet Lend-Lease PBYs). Dubbed the “Pregnant Pigs” or “Pig Boat” because to some pilots they looked so “Ugly” while sitting in the water.

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How can I pay for Membership?

Our Membership and Donations are handled securely for us by PayPal. PayPal accepts payments on our behalf from most major debit/credit cardsl, so you do not need to have a PayPal account.

Are Membership fees Pro Rated?

No. Pro Rating of Membership is being considered for the future. Your membership anniversary date is the date your membership is initiated or renewed

Are you required to be a member of TCPS to Volunteer?

Yes, you must be a member of TCPS in good standing to join our volunteer community.

Does TCPS plan on purchasing and operating an airworthy PBY Catalina?

We are actively fundraising to purchase PBY Catalina C-FUAW from Pacific Flying Boats Ltd.

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What do the following acronym’s mean?

P.B.Y. In the United States the designation “PBY” for this aircraft was determined in accordance with the U.S. Navy aircraft designation system of 1922.

“PB” representing “Patrol Bomber” and “Y” being the code assigned to Consolidated Aircraft as its manufacturer.

PBN PBY Catalina’s built by the US Naval Aircraft Factory were designated PBN

OA-10 Many PBYs and PBVs served in the USAAF, and there they were called OA-10.

GST Gidro Samolyet Transportnyi “MOP” (NATO designation for the Soviet Lend-Lease GST’s)

What is the difference between a Catalina and a Canso?

Why the PBY Catalina is called a “Pig Boats”.

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[toggle title=”THE CATALINA PRESERVATION SOCIETY”]

How can I pay for Membership?

Our Membership and Donations are handled securely for us by PayPal. PayPal accepts payments on our behalf from most major debit/credit cardsl, so you do not need to have a PayPal account.

Are Membership fees Pro Rated?

No. Pro Rating of Membership is being considered for the future. Your membership anniversary date is the date your membership is initiated or renewed

Are you required to be a member of TCPS to Volunteer?

Yes, you must be a member of TCPS in good standing to join our volunteer community.

Does TCPS plan on purchasing and operating an airworthy PBY Catalina?

We are actively fundraising to purchase PBY Catalina C-FUAW from Pacific Flying Boats Ltd.

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When and Where were the PBY Catalina’s built?

Designed by aero-engineer Isaac M. Laddon of Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, the prototype XP3Y-1 (an evolutionary descendant of the XPY-1) was launched on demonstration flights from Hampton Roads Norfolk Virginia USA March 21st 1935. Built as a Patrol Bomber for the US Navy replace its aging fleet of Martin and consolidated flying boats then in service. The prototype redesignated XPBY-1 made its maiden flight on 19 May 1936, during which a record non-stop distance flight of 3,443 miles (5,541 km) from Norfolk Virginia to Coco Solo Panama Canal Zone and on to San Francisco. On 22 November 1939, six years after the initial prototype, the first amphibious version of the Catalina design flew from San Diego California.

The Catalina was also built under License in Russia under the name of GST and in Canada under license under the name of Canso.

What is the fuel capacity and range of the PBY Catalina?

The PBY Catalina has two fuel tanks each with a capacity of 739 gal for a total of 1,478 gal 5590 liters.

Using 100/130 octane fuel the Catalina on normal patrol / cruising configuration burns between 28 to 35 gal per hour allowing it to remain airborne about 20 to 24 hours covering a distance of approximately 2500 miles or 4184 km.

“The longest civilian commercial flights (in terms of time aloft) in aviation history were the Qantas flights flown weekly from June 1943 through July 1945 over the Indian Ocean. Qantas offered non-stop service between Perth and Colombo, a distance of 3,592 nm (5,652 km). As the Catalina typically cruised at 110 knots, this took from 28 to 32 hours and was called the “flight of the double sunrise”, since the passengers saw two sunrises during their non-stop journey”.

What make and type of engine does the Catalina have?

The PBY Catalina 5 and 5A use two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92. A two row 14 cylinders air cooled 1,830 Cubic Inch twin wasp engine producing a max 1200 HP.

What is the difference between a Catalina and a Canso?

Technically speaking, there is no difference except for the name. The US designed and built PBY was given a name change to “Catalina” when it arrived in Great Britain. Who suggested the name “Catalina” is a matter of many interesting and ongoing discussions and individual forensic sleuthing. The best Canadian records to date indicates that, on the 19^th of December 1941 the Canadian Military, by R.C.A.F. Routine Order 1549 ceased using the designation PBY “Catalina” and began using the new designation(s) Canso and Canso A:

Canso – R.C.A.F. version of Consolidated PBY (28-5ME) Twin Engine Flying Boat
Canso A – R.C.A.F. version of Consolidated PBY (28-5ME) Twin Engine Flying Boat
Canso – R.A.F. version of Consolidated PBY (28-5ME) Twin Engine Flying Boat
Catalina A – R.A.F. version of Consolidated PBY (28-5ME) Twin Engine Flying Boat

Why are PBY Catalina’s called “Pig Boats”?

What do the following initials mean?

P.B.Y.In the United States the designation “PBY” for this aircraft was determined in accordance with the U.S. Navy aircraft designation system of 1922.

“PB” representing “Patrol Bomber” and “Y” being the code assigned to Consolidated Aircraft as its manufacturer.

PB2B PBY-5A’s built by Boeing of Canada in Vancouver BC were designated by the USN as PB2B.

PBN PBY Catalina’s built by the US Naval Aircraft Factory were designated PBN

OA-10 Many PBYs and PBVs served in the USAAF, and there they were called OA-10.