My understanding is that PBYs were used mostly for anti-sub work during the war. AH has no Subs.
pby was a great ship killer,,killed many big boats,,including stopping a invasion off the coast of alaska,,,one pby even dive bombed there jap carrier,,,took both pilots to pull it out of the dive which it was never desined for,,,,pby even killed some gvs,,carried a good bomb load,,,long range,,and it had the best on board radar you could buy at the time,,the black cat pby shot down zeros
25 Nov–23 Dec 1943: Lieutenant Alex N. McInnis, Jr., led his PBY Catalina on night missions against enemy combatants and convoys in the Bismarck Archipelago during extremely adverse and hazardous weather conditions. During this period of operation from 25 November to 23 December 1943 he successfully carried out a low-altitude attack on a large merchant vessel. He experienced heavy antiaircraft fire from enemy combatants but was able to drop his thousand pound bomb on the merchant ship, leaving it in flames and still burning three hours after the attack. For his actions during the attacks between 25 November and 23 December 1943 he was awarded the Navy Cross.
26 Nov 1943: Lieutenant William J. Lahodney and his crew conducted a night attack on an enemy task force consisting of a cruiser and three destroyers in the waters off Rabaul. Lahodney’s bombs heavily damaged the enemy cruiser, but his own aircraft sustained severe damage with over 100 holes in the wings and fuselage from the intense AA fire. Lahodney managed to fly the perforated Catalina over mountainous terrain and stormy seas for four hours to arrive safely at his home base. For his heroic actions and skillful flying he was awarded the Navy Cross.
10 Dec 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Rudolph Lloyd and his crew made an attack at night on a large enemy freighter in the Bismarck Archipelago under extremely adverse weather conditions. After dropping their bomb on the target, Lieutenant Lloyd returned and made strafing attacks on the ship until it sank.
14 Dec 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Lloyd and his crew conducted a night attack on ships in Kavieng Harbor during adverse weather conditions. A bombing run was made on what appeared to be a small enemy cruiser or large destroyer and two hits were observed. Lloyd returned to make a strafing pass, but was forced to retreat by intense AA fire and the arrival of enemy fighter aircraft. For his courageous actions on the nights of 10 and 14 December, Lieutenant Lloyd was awarded the Navy Cross.
wow ,,100 holes in his pby and it still made it home,,now thats pretty tuff,,there is so much history on the pby i couldnt possibly put it all on one page,,hehehe,,go to this link and you will see,,it had a great history,,this plane is noted for being the most versitile plane in the us air force
http://www.fortunecity.com/millenium/redwood/372/links.html
