The most underrated Allied aircraft of WW2 | PBY Catalina

The PBY Catalina was probably the most versatile aircraft of the Second World War. Involved from start to finish, in every theatre, in a variety of roles. It was a Catalina that spotted the Bismarck, the Japanese fleet sailing towards Ceylon and the Jappanese carrier fleet at Midway. They ranged far and wide out into the Atlantic and north towards the Arctic Circle.

Jeff Boyling is a part owner and pilot of Catalina G-PBYA. In this video, he explores the design, operational history and his own experience with the Catalina. Thanks to Jeff, David Legg and The Catalina Society for their help in making this video.

Explore and licence the film clips used in this video from IWM Film:

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Attributions:
Images of G-PBYA courtesy of Caz Caswell, David Legg and the David Legg Collection.

#history #aircraft #catalina

[Bovara]

When I think of the cat I think of how many lives they saved, plucking sailors and aviators out of the water. They did an incredible job.

[headforthehillsuk]

I still think the Catalina is one of the best looking aircraft of WW2 and it was so supremely useful in multiple roles.

[MikeM]

Decades ago, when driving on a highway. I was overtaken by a Catalina. It flew low and slow, so I could watch it for some time. Learned later that it was on its final flight to the Swedish military aircraft museum. An unforgettable memory.

[theusher]

My grandfather was a bubble gunner on a cat in the pacific in WWII. He never spoke about his experiences, but he and his two brothers all came back (one was an F6F pilot, one was a tailgunner on a B-24.)

[MrRugbylane]

John Cruikshank VC is (as of today 19th June 2024) still alive at the age of 103. Less than one in ten thousand men in the UK live to the age of 103 . That in itself is quite the achievement.

[ofgs]

My paternal grandfather served in a PBY-5 Catalina for the RAAF in the Pacific. It’s always been an especially important aircraft to me my whole life. Thank you for making a video about it!

[tangonf]

I don't think that anyone who knows anything about the Catalina would ever have considered her to be underrated.

[thethirdman]

For the record, you don't 'win' a VC, despite it being a common expression. You are _awarded_ a VC. You _earn_ a VC.

[cycoholic]

My father was in the R.A.A.F in WWII as a aircraft mechanic and worked on many planes including the Catalina. He not only served in Australia but he was also seconded to the R.A.F.

After the war he worked maintaining the Catalinas for Quantas out of Rose Bay in Sydney.

Thank you for looking after one of these lovely flying boats, keep her in good shape.

❤

[Scotty]

My father, Jock Mercer, was a cook with the RAF based at Lake St Lucia on the Natal, South African coast. The Catalinas patrolling the Southern African coast in WW2 were based at Lake St Lucia. As children we were dismayed that he didn't fight in the war, but he replied, he fought to keep the pilots fed!

[milnez]

Made a model when I was a kid 40 years ago and this plane is still special to me :)

[bartonstano]

Cats saved many lives, a good example is a Catalina found the survivors of the USS Indianapolis in 1945 and radioed the position, then landed on the water and many men climbed aboard her. So many men climbed about she could not take off, but ut was safe for the men from the sharks.

[mothmagic]

I love the fact that that they cut down on drag by making the wing tip floats retractable. They definitely earned their keep and the crews feserved every award that came their way

[jameseaster]

A very good explanation by someone who is clearly not only knowledgeable about the subject, but passionate about the aircraft too

[steveb]

If it wasn't for a Catalina. I would have never been born. My father was saved by one after ditching his F6F Hellcat after taking flack damage over an airfield . Late in the war.

[MarcPagan]

Thanks for a brilliant story, expertly presented.

[spacecase]

I just had an airshow in my area on Father's Day and had a PBY Catalina flying over the house. Absolutely beautiful aircraft.

[davidellis]

This Catalina flew over my house in Switzerland on the 4th and 5th of May 2013. I know this because I went inside it at Farnborough in 2014 and one of the crew confirmed it was over the Vierwaldstättersee on those dates. Good video, nice to be reminded of her. One of my favourite WWII aircraft.

[big_bad_lynx]

one of the most gourgeous planes ever made

[ak]

I took a ride in a PBY in Long Beach in 1972. There were a few during Navy day at the Long Beach Naval shipyard.