Miloch wrote in
news
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_PBY_Catalina

The Consolidated PBY Catalina, also known as the Canso in Canadian
service, is an American flying boat, and later an amphibious aircraft
of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one
of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II. Catalinas served
with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air
forces and navies of many other nations.

During World War II, PBYs were used in anti-submarine warfare, patrol
bombing, convoy escorts, search and rescue missions (especially
air-sea rescue), and cargo transport. The PBY was the most numerous
aircraft of its kind and the last active military PBYs were not
retired from service until the 1980s. In 2014, nearly 80 years after
its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as a waterbomber (or
airtanker) in aerial firefighting operations all over the world.

The PBY 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 disrupt enemy supply lines. With a
mind to a potential conflict in the Pacific Ocean, where troops would
require resupply over great distances, the U.S. 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,
in effect having the entire ocean available. Several different flying
boats were adopted by the Navy, but the PBY was the most widely used
and produced.

Although slow and ungainly, Catalinas distinguished themselves in
World War II. Allied forces used them successfully in a wide variety
of roles for which the aircraft was never intended. They are
remembered for their rescue role, in which they saved the lives of
thousands of aircrew downed over water. Catalina airmen called their
aircraft the "Cat" on combat missions and "Dumbo" in air-sea rescue
service.



I remember reading about how much the crews
hated these things. They were cramped, difficult
to get around in, and incredibly loud. When units
started getting the Martin Mariner (PBM) guys were
rapidly trying to transfer into them.