Black Cat PBY Catalina

[Micdrow]

Going through my hard drive I found these pictures. Anything I am interested in or find unusual I save and think well when I get time I will do some more research on it when I have time. Here is one of those aircraft. Looks like originally found it here. PBY-5A 418 with 20mm cannons 1944 | World War Photos No idea on the second shot where I found it.

Any way I have never seen a PBY this way that I can recall but look at the nose, the website said twin 20 mm cannon but was thinking they look more like 50 caliber machine guns. Just wondering if some one knew more about it or if any more where modified like this or if there are more pictures. Other than that I have not had much time to look but thought others might be interested in this.

 

[herman1rg]

I would say 0.50 cal rather tham 20mm

 

[fubar57]

In the Osprey book, "US Navy Catalina Units of the Pacific War", a caption of your second photo says, "Guadalcanal based VP-54 fitted several of its PBY-5As with twin, fixed, 20mm cannon in the nose in 1943-44. The weapon's rate of fire was slower than the 0.50-cal machine gun, but the hitting power of the slugs was far greater"

 

[tbolt47]

Based on the barrel jackets, I'd say .50 cal.

 

[tbolt47]

Here is what a 20mm looks like mounted in the nose of a B-17F

 

[shepsan]

Not for the purpose of argument, but what type of mission would this aircraft do requiring 20mm?

 

[BlackSheep]

Not for the purpose of argument, but what type of mission would this aircraft do requiring 20mm?

You are
Missing out on a spectacular story!!! The Black Cats flew modified PBYs at night against Japanese shipping using torpedos, bombs, and machine guns/cannons... there are a few webpages to google that will give you a taste of their all night missions..

Also, a level in one of the video games dedicated to WW2 has a level where you fly a PBY in this capacity.. I'm not a gamer so don't remember the title.

 

[Dana Bell]

Here's one with a twenty:

PBY - 20mm bow gun - Iceland - 23 Jun 1943 - 80-G-081177

Cheers,



Dana

 

[Carrera2]

Here's one with a twenty:

View attachment 601633

PBY - 20mm bow gun - Iceland - 23 Jun 1943 - 80-G-081177

Cheers,



Dana

Great photo Dana, thanks! Bill L.

 

[Carrera2]

Great photo Dana, thanks! Bill L.

 

[Micdrow]

Sweet Dana