PBY Catalina SEAPLANE

[Eurisko]

With all this new buzz about a new plane - what about the PBY Catalina Seaplane?
I think this would greatly enhance and add a whole new dynamic to this already
amazing Sim! Thoughts?

We have more than an adequate variety of planes already - this would be
a whole new level. We could rescue downed pilots who wanted to keep
thier stats/score. It would be a new cargo plane that could land and wait
sorta hidden off shore. It could serve as a bomber. Think about it...


Wikipedia:
The Catalina was originally designed to be a patrol bomber, an aircraft with a long operational range intended to locate and attack enemy transport ships at sea in order to compromise enemy supply lines. With a mind to a potential conflict in the Pacific Ocean, where troops would require resupply over great distances, the US Navy in the 1930s invested millions of dollars in developing long-range flying boats for this purpose. Flying boats had the advantage of not requiring runways to take off and land, in effect having the entire ocean available as its runway. Several different flying boats were adopted by the Navy, but the PBY Catalina was the most widely used and produced.

Although slow and ungainly, Catalinas distinguished themselves in World War II as exceptionally reliable aircraft. Allied armed forces used them successfully in a wide variety of roles that the aircraft was never intended for. They are remembered most by veterans of the war for their role as rescuing aircraft, where they saved the lives of thousands of aircrewmen shot down over the Pacific Ocean.

[FiLtH]

I'd love to see it. Maybe deployable from ports and fleets? Imagine the guys who rescued downed pilots and brought them back to a successful return. They'd be heroes!

[Sikboy]

I think the best hope for the PBY will be the Pacific Combat Theater. Hopefully when CT comes out and the Utopoia of WWII Flight Sims is experienced, HTC will work on a Pacific theater.

I believe that the CT environment will be more conducive to having a scout plane than the current MA setup. I hope that Maritime Patrol will be one of the details that are used to create a more immersive feel for the Pacific CT. I may be the only one, but I've really enjoyed the role in events, and wish it had more of a place in the game.

-Sik

PS: For Indexing Purposes, MARPAT

[tedrbr]

Cat?

No pilots to rescue and return to base.

No subs to search for and attack with depth charges.

Any plane can provide maritime patrol.  My choice is usually Ki-67's.  

Would require changes be made to game's water model I'm sure, to allow landings and take offs at sea.

[Sikboy]

That's why I think that  CT should provide an environment more conducive to dedicated scout planes.

I know I'm just daydreaming, but I hope that if and when a Pacific CT comes out, that the Water would be re-worked and the damage model for shipping is improved. I'm probably asking for too many resources to be dedicated to the Naval aspect of the game, but a boy can dream.

Not to mention how cool it would be to have Pete flying from Japanese Fleets and bases.

http://www.combinedfleet.com/ijna/f1m.htm

-Sik

[titanic3]

Originally posted by tedrbr
Cat?

No pilots to rescue and return to base.

No subs to search for and attack with depth charges.

Any plane can provide maritime patrol.  My choice is usually Ki-67's.  

Would require changes be made to game's water model I'm sure, to allow landings and take offs at sea.

we can land in the water already, only thing that gets damage is the engine. if bring up damage list, it says ur landing gear are still attached. water is hiding the gears though. all HTC have to change is showing the waves splashed up by the landing

[Sting138]

That would definaly increase the reality aspect of the game and one I would take full advantage of!

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by tedrbr
Cat?

No pilots to rescue and return to base.

No subs to search for and attack with depth charges.

Any plane can provide maritime patrol.  My choice is usually Ki-67's.  

Would require changes be made to game's water model I'm sure, to allow landings and take offs at sea.

You don't think out of the box.

[OOZ662]

Mmmmh...search button-y.

[badhorse]

One use would be to make them available at any airfield located on the water and allow them to resupply a CV.

[swareiam]

I think the PBY is a great idea. A waterborne choice for resupply, dropping troops, torpedo runs on CVs, if you dare, even an recon/observation platform to direct bombing missions. This could be a fun addition. Does anyone know of a theater of War where this aircraft did not operate?

Cheers:aok

[Bruv119]

Cant wait for the whines when someone strafes the PBY just when he is picking up the guy in his chute.

[Eurisko]

Please, please, pretty please can we have a Seaplane??

[Kurt]

Sometimes I think about things too... And those things won't happen either.

Before you get mad at me for saying that... I want to point out that if I say HT will never do that, it gets done within 6 months.... Lets say thats about 95% of the time.

I am an omen.. Like an albatross.

[JohnnyT]

I think a PBY would add an extra element to the game, especially if pilot rescues were possible.