mosquitoman
Master Sergeant
I've always thought the Liberator was the best at this but what does everybody else think?
Best Maritime Patrol Aircraft of WW2
- Thread starter mosquitoman
- Start date
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FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
PBY HANDS DOWN! 
evangilder
"Shooter"
I gotta go with FBJ on this one. Catalina.
- Thread starter
- #4
mosquitoman
Master Sergeant
Tell that to 120 Squadron- they got 14 U-Boat kills
evangilder
"Shooter"
Yes, but maritime patrols also picked up downed airmen. Simple to do in a catalina, just put it down on the water and bring him home.
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
The Cat participated in all theaters during WW2 (With the exception of the Russian Front 
) destroyed subs, ships, picked up downed airmen, reconnaissance (found the Bismark and the Japanese fleet at Midway) conducted conventional bombing and even torpedo strikes. The Lib and and the Sunderland performed well, but the Cat, thought to be totally obsolete, in my opinion proved its worth ten-fold by performing functions that it's original designers wouldn't of dreamed of!
) destroyed subs, ships, picked up downed airmen, reconnaissance (found the Bismark and the Japanese fleet at Midway) conducted conventional bombing and even torpedo strikes. The Lib and and the Sunderland performed well, but the Cat, thought to be totally obsolete, in my opinion proved its worth ten-fold by performing functions that it's original designers wouldn't of dreamed of!
cheddar cheese
Major General
Catalina 8)
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
Sunderland..........
trackend
Chief Master Sergeant
Catalina
Sunderland
Swordfish in that order
Sunderland
Swordfish in that order
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
yes the swordfish is cirtainly up there with the best..........
cheddar cheese
Major General
Maybe not best, but most successful.
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
well, what exactly are we looking for in a maritime patrol aircraft??
trackend
Chief Master Sergeant
1000 miles range or 9 + hours flying time with extra fuel tank wasn't bad for a relitively smallish plane and with a stall speed of only around 60-70 kts it was ideal for stooging around targets.
When throttled back in a shallow dive almost as quiet as a glider ideal for night attacks.
When throttled back in a shallow dive almost as quiet as a glider ideal for night attacks.
Glider
Captain
The Cat has to get the vote although from a crew members perspective the Sunderland was probably more comfortable.
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
you kidding me!! the sunderland was huge, you could invite the entire RAF around for a party in that fusilage.......
cheddar cheese
Major General
Fuselage? You mean hull 
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
strictly speaking it can be either.........
cheddar cheese
Major General
Fuse-hull
delcyros
Tech Sergeant
I would go for either a BV-138 C, Bv-(Ha)- 139, Bv-222 or a Bv-238 for the Luftwaffe and G4M Betty for JNF. They do have extremely well figures and a range of more than 3000 miles. And they did fish up seaman or rescued pilots.
Factoring the numbers deployed my choice would be the Catalina, too!
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Factoring the numbers deployed my choice would be the Catalina, too!
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FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
And look at the Cat's record - TONS of enemy shipping sunk. Not bad for a plane that could barely get out of its own way!
