Catalina Comeback?

[clancyphile]

https://strategypage.com/htmw/htnavai/a ... 10949.aspx

In 2023 an American company has begun production of a 21st century version of the World War II PBY Catalina patrol aircraft. The new Catalina weighs 14.5-tons and is powered by two turboprop engines. The new Catalina can carry up to 34 passengers or 5.5 tons of cargo and has a smaller crew. This version also has modern avionics and is built to land and take off in rougher seas than the original aircraft. Deliveries of the new Catalina are expected to begin in 2029. Most of the new Catalinas will be used for civilian applications, like transport to areas lacking airfields or performing rescue work at sea. Like the World War II version, the new Catalina will also be able to carry passengers and cargo. Maximum range is 2,700 kilometers. The peace time crew is only four personnel and, for long-range flights, only half a dozen passengers, plus some cargo, can be carried.

A military version of the new Catalina will weigh 18 tons and be used for patrols in combat zones as well as delivering and retrieving personnel in remote areas. U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) is interested in procuring some new Catalinas to support activities in remote areas. Catalina can land on rough airfields as well as lakes and rivers. The Catalina can fly low, slow and quietly to destinations in remote areas while avoiding localities where someone might fire on them.

...

This is the site for the company
https://catalinaaircrafttrust.com/ngaa-home

Y'know, what'll they buy next?

[Poohbah]

You can't get to Heaven in a PBY
'Cause the goddamned thing don't fly that high

[warshipadmin]

Sea state 2. That's a bit restrictive !

[Nik_SpeakerToCats]

Is the 'Cat' big enough to snatch sky-hook balloon lines ??

[Rocket J Squrriel]

Catalina's were used as dive bombers, to avoid the flack, after the invasions of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutians according to the book "The Thousand Mile War'. Took both pilots hauling back on the controls with all their strength while the wings were flapping like a bird.