Best Maritime Patrol Aircraft of WW2

[mosquitoman]

I've always thought the Liberator was the best at this but what does everybody else think?

 

[FLYBOYJ]

PBY HANDS DOWN!

 

[evangilder]

I gotta go with FBJ on this one. Catalina.

 

[mosquitoman]

Tell that to 120 Squadron- they got 14 U-Boat kills

 

[evangilder]

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 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!

 

[cheddar cheese]

Catalina 8)

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

Sunderland..........

 

[trackend]

Catalina
Sunderland
Swordfish in that order

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

yes the swordfish is cirtainly up there with the best..........

 

[cheddar cheese]

Maybe not best, but most successful.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

well, what exactly are we looking for in a maritime patrol aircraft??

 

[trackend]

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.

 

[Glider]

The Cat has to get the vote although from a crew members perspective the Sunderland was probably more comfortable.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

you kidding me!! the sunderland was huge, you could invite the entire RAF around for a party in that fusilage.......

 

[cheddar cheese]

Fuselage? You mean hull

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

strictly speaking it can be either.........

 

[cheddar cheese]

Fuse-hull

 

[delcyros]

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!
-

 

[FLYBOYJ]

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!