PBY-5T(Twin)

[Lusekofte]

If we cant get a PBY, how about this? 

(Tekst copied from a historic FB group)

Only one prototype PBY-5T(Twin) Catalina was built and flown in 1944. Due to the vast distances covered in the PTO and noting the 4-engine design configurations of the Japanese Kawanishi H6K (Allied reporting name 'Mavis') and H8K ('Emily'), Consolidated incorporated two PBY-5s from the New Orleans Consolidated Vultee plant and integrated the additional fuel tanks for the four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-82 Twin Wasps. After a few trials and circuits, despite the promising range, the disadvantages of the configuration meant that within a month of the initial flight, it was scrapped. The reasons were various, including the obvious cost implications making it not economically viable, the additional crew required and the handling difficulties with landing such a configuration on water, particularly during take-offs and landings in rougher seas. In fact, these were so tricky and strenuous that some of Consolidated's test pilots soon derived a range of insulting monikers. Whilst initially dubbed the 'Siamese Cat', Cat-Amaran or 'PB-Why?' by the test pilots, the British Fleet Air Arm test pilot stationed at Consolidated until April 1944 famously called the Twin Cat prototype the 'TwAt' for short after a few exceptionally hair-raising touch-and-go landings. Consolidated's New Orleans plant closed soon after WW2. (Next year April Fools is being moved to February 30th!) ( David John Hope ) post by P. Smithson.

[LukeFF]

On 4/5/2021 at 2:53 AM, LuseKofte said:

Next year April Fools is being moved to February 30th!