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Consolidated PBY-5A 'Canso A'

Description
  Manufacturer:Consolidated
  Base model:PBY
  Designation:PBY
  Version:-5A
  Nickname:Canso A
  Designation System:U.S. Navy / Marines
  Designation Period:1935-1962
  Basic role:Patrol Bomber
  Modified Mission:Amphibious
  See Also:

Specifications
  Length: 63' 11" 19.5 m
  Height:20' 0" 6.1 m
  Wingspan: 101' 8" 31.0 m
  Wingarea: 1,399.4 sq ft 130.0 sq m
  Empty Weight: 20,864 lb 9,484 kg
  Gross Weight: 33,904 lb 15,375 kg
  Max Weight: 33,904 lb 15,411 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 2
  Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp
  Horsepower (each): 1200

Performance
  Cruise Speed: 116 mph 188 km/h 101 kt
  Max Speed: 178 mph 288 km/h 155 kt
  Ceiling: 20,008 ft 6,100 m

Examples of this type may be found at
MuseumCityState
Canada Aviation Museum+ttawaOntario
Canadian Warplane Heritage MuseumMount HopeOntario
McChord Air MuseumMcChord AFBWashington
NAS JacksonvilleJacksonvilleFlorida
National Atomic MuseumKirtland AFBNew Mexico
National Museum of Naval AviationNAS PensacolaFlorida
San Diego Aerospace MuseumSan DiegoCalifornia

PBY-5A on display

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
    


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 J. Park
 , ON
My uncle flew over 75 missions out of Gibraltar in RAF Catalinas before moving to the UK and switching to Sunderlands. Many interesting stories. When the opportunity came up to get a ride in the CWH museum's Canso, I took it. A wonderful experience that gave me a great appreciation for the courage and valor many young men had during WW2. I also appreciated the museum staff taking the time to answer my many questions and the flight in the aircraft itself. You start off in the navigator/radio operators "office" where you can watch the pilots perform and then can move up to the old engineering station in the pilon where you get a great view out over the ground/water. Then you move into the back where you have what has to be the best view out of any aircraft flying. The large greenhouse like bubbles give you a magnificent view of the land/water below, but also of the aircraft itself. This is an interesting aircraft that could on occasion stay up for near 22 hours. My other uncle flew several missions out of Nova Scotia near the end of the war with the RCAF.
11/15/2009 @ 09:37 [ref: 25293]
 Jack L Gilbert
 Rio Rancho, NM
My dad (SMsgt. Jack L Gilbert, USAF, Ret.) served as a PBY flight engineer during two tours in the Aleutions during WW II (VP-62 & Flt. Air Wing 4). Mustered out in 1946 & transferred to the USAAF. Flew in C-54s during the Berlin Airlift, C-47s in Korea, C-124s during the Cold War, C-141s throughout Vietnam. Is now retired in Summerville, SC. He once told me that the one thing that scared him most about military aviation was the thought of hitting a floating log on Puget Sound while landing/taking off in a PBY. He also said that the dash-5A was a huge improvement over the dash-5 because it meant you didn't have to get in the cold water to attach beaching gear! Musta been fun, in the Aleutions, in January!
12/27/2008 @ 16:39 [ref: 23356]
 Sal
 Eagle River, AK
The photo listed as a PBY-5A at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum is actually an OA-10, not a PBY-5A. The aircraft belonged to the 10th Rescue Squadron (USAAF and then USAF) and made an emergency landing at Dago Lake. It was abandoned and actually eventually sold off to some folks who recovered the engines and the fuel tanks. Eventually it was recovered by an Alaska Army National Guard CH-54 Skycrane for the AK Aviation Heritage Museum. As a matter of fact, that's why you see the AK ARNG decal on the side of the nose.
03/19/2007 @ 22:26 [ref: 15960]
 Gordon Beaven
 ste therese, QC
I'm looking to get an idea of accurate markings and insignia on the Canadian PBY's that were flown during WWII. I'm not sure if the maple leaf was being used yet. Anyone with information, please email me at muddyknees2000@yahoo.com
07/30/2006 @ 21:44 [ref: 13770]
 Sue Kimmel
 Aiken, SC
My father, Charles William Goodman, enlisted in the Navy in 1941 when he was 17. His enlisted name was "BILLY GOODMAN". He often tells stories of his experiences on a PBY-5A. He also served on the USS Ranger. I know he was stationed in Greenland for a short time. Does anyone remember serving with him? He would really like to know if he has any Navy "buddies" around. He turns 83 today (February 27, 2006).
02/27/2006 @ 10:00 [ref: 12631]
 Tom Mitchell
 , TX
The Historical Aircraft Memorial Museum at Tyler Texas now has a PBY-5A which is to be restored. No color scheme has been decided on but it will probably be two years before it is complete. Anyone thats in the area is welcome to come by and work on it and if you just want a tour then please contact me to be assured the trip wont be wasted because of no one there.
Our website is WWW.tylerhamm.org
07/10/2005 @ 19:08 [ref: 10709]
 Ron Liston
 Chesapeake, VA
Do you want to see an operational PBY up close and personal? Visit the TTI hangar at the Suffolk, Virginia Airport. This operation specializes in restoration of vintage aircraft. You'll be surprised with their collection of aircraft. You will find the folks there friendly. They welcome visitors who know how to behave in a working restoration and flying environment.
06/02/2005 @ 20:44 [ref: 10379]
 Thomas Richards
 , NC
I just wanted to let everyone know that may be interested in going up in a restored PBY-5A. Charlie Clements in Miami FL. has a beautifully restored plane and is extremely accommodating in taking up ‘PBY’ aficionados -- especially WWII veterans (like my father). Charlie took me, my mother & father up for about 1 hour at a very reasonable price. Charlie & his crew were fantastic and accommodating in every way.
Info: Website: superthree.com Phone 305-251-6890 email (he reads this one): super3@flightline.com

05/10/2005 @ 14:48 [ref: 10175]
 Gordon McPherson
 Ottawa, ON
My father, Fl.Lt. Gordon McPherson, RAF Ferry Command, who passed away 10 yrs ago at 75, told me his story when he was volunteered as a flight engineer (sometime 1944-45) to fly/ferry a PBY to Australia beginning in Scotland by way of Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, New York, Florida, San Diego, Hawaii, and Wake Island...all at 90mph. He described it as hours upon hours of boredom listening to the engines drone on while flying over the oceans interspersed with moments of sheer terror when something would 'hiccup'. He said she took off at 90, cruised at 90 and landed at 90. Later in the '60's he was again a flight eng. on a Canso working forest fire patrol over northern Quebec.
04/27/2005 @ 16:28 [ref: 10053]
 J. Crossen
 Boston, MA
My dad just turned 80. His name is Robert Panora. He flew PBYs in the Pacific. Recently we found a ring he wore after graduating from school in Pensacola. It needs to be repaired. Does anyone have one that they could send a picture of to me. (Looks like there were stars surrounding the stone) I would like to give it to him repaired.
04/01/2005 @ 11:20 [ref: 9857]

 

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