PBY Catalina

[Chalenge]

It is mentioned in 'Black Cat Raiders of World War II on page 71:

http://books.google.com/books?id=cNoCLmvjj60C&pg=PA71&lpg=PA71&dq=PBY+Catalina+drops+anti-personnel&source=web&ots=T3pM8opVPk&sig=29TBKRR6VF00wNJbMQ4lcfTkVEg&hl=en&ei=0ZaYSajFG4OftwfdvKC6Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result

[FYB]

The PBY-6A had a radome mounted above the cockpit just forward of the wing mount. Black Cat PBYs were also field-modified with MAD systems (Magnetic Anomaly Detectors) to locate enemy shipping in the darkness, and could also be used to track submarines running shallow.

PBYs WERE used for carrying supplies. The early Black Cats (or at least their forerunners) were extensively pressed into helping resupply Guadalcanal, although their carrying capacity was understandably limited. However they were NOT utilized as troop transports. The closest they came was air-sea rescue operations ("Dumbos") and occasionally as long-range VIP transports.

Sector9,

All PBYs ran armed, including those operating as scouts. Standard armament in the PBY-5A was 1 or 2 .30cal in the nose, a .30cal aft, and a .50cal in each waist blister. Most of the 5As had the twin .30s, so this is the package that should be modeled. The PBY-6A replaced the bow .30s with a pair of .50cal.

A large number of Black Cat PBYs added an additional four fixed .50cal in the bow where the glass panel would normally be, just below the turret and which didn't interfere with its operation. It was technically a field mod, but was standardized enough among the Black Cats to IMO justify its inclusion as a gun package option. The bomb sight was removed in this configuration, so it could be treated like the glass vs. solid-nosed B-25C. Some Black Cats were mounted with a pair of 20mm in this position instead, however this required removal of the guns in the bow turret. I don't have any numbers for aircraft with this armament, so I don't know if it could be justified as a gun package or not.

Also, the PBY-5A had landing gears, which allowed the Catalina to land in water or on a small airfield.

-FYB

[Nowi]

more useful would be Lockheed Ventura Pv-1



Helm ...out

Agreed 

[doc1kelley]

We already have a great bomber for sea bombing missions. They're known as lanc-stukas. Currently there's no use for a Catalina in the scouting role as there is no real use for scouting. We see all the icons on the clipboard, we have dar-bars, and we can just as easily spot CVs in a Spitfire as in a Catalina.

But the Catalina could also carry troops and is armed and can be outfitted with bombs.  It would be nice to have a troop transport with a little defensive fire just for "peace of mind" aspects. hehehehe

All the Best...

    Jay
 awDoc1

PS.. they could also rescue downed pilots so they don't get a "captured" or "ditched" label

[Saxman]

The extent of the PBY's transport role was as VIP transports and light cargo. They didn't carry troops like the C-47 could.

[StokesAk]

Quick question..... would we have to expand the CV decks to allow a normal take off?

[Wedge1126]

I don't think PBYs operate from carriers. I'd imagine they'd be available at PT boat spawns.

[SKYGUNS]

we need a flying boat 

[dstrip2]

i think they should be able to spawn next to the cv like pt boats. could carry field supplies or a limited number of vehicle supplies. love the idea of picking up ditched pilots, but honestly how many ppl would wait for the pby to show up?

would sure make logistics of taking a field with a cv a lot better though. would definatly find a niche here. good for torpedoing other cvs too

besides, flying boats rule 

[TheZohan]

the PBY blister gun looks familular

[cp101]

HECK YEA WE NEED A CATALINA IT COULD LAND ON WATER HAVE 2 TORPS 2 BLISTER TURRETS  ON HE SIDES WITH 50 CALS. A CANNON AND A MG IN THE FRONT FOR A GUNNER A RADAR WOULD ALSO B GOOD PLUS ITLL GO GOOD WITH MY SQUAD NAME BLACK CATS THEY CAN ALSO FLY IN FORMATION 

[Chilli]

The extent of the PBY's transport role was as VIP transports and light cargo. They didn't carry troops like the C-47 could.

Good observation Saxman.  Maybe if it is allowed cargo, limit the amount like in the Jeep.

Also, I agree that it should only spawn from PT spawn or Carrier deck.  It shouldn't be allowed to spawn after carrier is down, for obvious reasons.

[killerdude8]

if they add the Catalina i think they should add a smaller float plane   

[frank3]

if they add the Catalina i think they should add a smaller float plane   

Look no further; Vought Kingfisher 

[Sakai]

Floatplanes, if modeled, could be useful. 

They could be available in ports, currently are none.  I've long argued that there is no reason to exclude Vals, Kates, and SBDs from ports--short takeoff and get the hanger queens flying.  MG/small (100-250 lb) ordinance-armed floatplanes could ward off a landing party, no?

They could also be used as AI-controlled objects scouting for enemy carriers.  That is, if you have a CV group in the area and an AI controlled floatplane identifies you by being within x range, the "surprise" attack by Milkman CV groups is out, or if on the ocean blue and in attack range of an enemy CV group, the enemy CV group in the area is alerted to your presence.  Thus, you send CAP out to cover your convoys/CVs or take your chances. 

If they were used like a port launched C-47, only some would have the proper payload and I don't know if any Seaplanes were used to drop paratroops--doubtful but since I don't know I'll leave it to you folks to figure out.

But some could carry substantial payloads and would be useful for resupply.

Also, if resupply convoys and merchant shipping become important, they'd be valuable for spotting those (again AI), or attacking as a bomber (H8K, PBY, Short Sunderland, some of the Italian jobs I think the Cant Z506 Heron carried a Whitehead Fiume or maybe as much as 2k in ordinance).  They could grant perk points for succesful convoy escort as well (lose no ships = x points, etc.). 

And, they make a nice addition if Submarines ever entered as an AI-controlled object for sub patrol or attacking.

If they are used in a recon role by a player, they should get an increased visibility range so as to make them useful enough to up.  That is, a recon flying PBY/Sunderland/Emily would be able to identify an enemy CV group at a greater distance, making them a worthy ride.  Since you had spotters with naval binoculars in those planes, this is not historically inaccurate as a fighter pilot watching his butt and dipping his wings to see with his 20/20 vision won't have the visibility a spotter would have had.  You could get bomber perk points for doing so (call in a CV from a floatplane, rewarded x points).  This makes them useful. 

No reason we couldn't rescue downed pilots so that they got a better score for their ride (they were, after all, returned to base) and you got perk points for collecting their butts.  The downed pilot could act as a gunner as well.