**** DONE : GB-69 1/72 PBY-5A Catalina - Maritime Aircraft WWII (2 Viewers)

Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules

Do you know the BuNo of the a/c you are building? It's about the de-icing system(s) of the Catalina - you might know this.
It will be this one:
1221.jpg


I do not know much about de-icing sys. in Catalina. If there were black-rubber ones on leading wings edges, they will be hard to spot on Black-Cats camo. Some of them (Black Cats) had anti-icer heater inlet on vertical stabilizer, but I don't know exactly if they were in "mine" E-68.
 
It will be this one:
View attachment 875385
I do not know much about de-icing sys. in Catalina. If there were black-rubber ones on leading wings edges, they will be hard to spot on Black-Cats camo. Some of them (Black Cats) had anti-icer heater inlet on vertical stabilizer, but I don't know exactly if they were in "mine" E-68.
There are 2 types of anti-icing systems used on PBY-5/5A: with de-Icing boots and with a heat exchanger (heated air from the exhausts).
Anti-icing with heat exchanger PBY-5 & PBY5-A.jpg

As per the above note your a/c has a de-icing system with a heat exchanger - it can be recognized by the exhaust openings in the wing - position B below (the model has those):
Anti-icing with heat exchanger PBY-5 & PBY5-A-picture.jpg

It is possible that this particular a/c has the shrouded exhausts (on the engines) removed and a de-icing system wasn't used at all. A photo of the plane will tell more.
In such case you will probably see this type of exhausts (on the engines) - with flame dampeners but without a heat exchanger:
rivercat.gif

For comparison a plane with heat-exchangers:
vj16pby_02_25mar2002.jpg

Cheers!
 
Last edited:
It is possible that this particular a/c has the shrouded exhausts (on the engines) removed and a de-icing system wasn't used at all. A photo of the plane will tell more.
Thanks, Catch, IMHO exhaust heat-exchangers could be removed/not installed on Black Cat strafers, those photos can prove that:

800-1.jpg

800-2.jpg


So, I will choose option with short exhaust. Also without flame dampeners.
 
Thanks, Catch, IMHO exhaust heat-exchangers could be removed/not installed on Black Cat strafers, those photos can prove that:
So, I will choose option with short exhaust. Also without flame dampeners.
As I wrote in my previous post some of the PBY-5A did not receive any anti-icing system in the factory (check BuNos listed). Some others probably had them removed - this was my guess too. If you do not want to add the flame dampeners, it's up to you. I checked several "Black Cat"-photos (not only PBY-5A though) and it's like 50:50 with/without but hard to say what was the common case.
BTW these are photos of "your" Black Cat, BuNo 46517 E-68 "Black Eagle":
casu_04_04jan2015.jpg

casu_05_04jan2015.jpg

vp71patch_01_27mar2006.jpg

Note the nose turret. No exhausts visible....unfortunately.
Cheers!
Source: VPNAVY - VP-70 History Summary Page - VP Patrol Squadron
 
Last edited:
If you do not want to add the flame dampeners, it's up to you. I checked several "Black Cat"-photos (not only PBY-5A though) and it's like 50:50 with/without but hard to say what was the common case.
Thx, in fact I have both types of exhausts fine printed in 3D, so I will paint both- maby something more will emerge 'til final montage.
333.jpeg
 
I had planned to build this model in this Game Boy, but due to work and studies, it was very difficult to find the time to do it. I have the entire interior designed to be built eventually, so I wouldn't have had the time...
If your idea is to give it the weathering effect seen in these photos in the thread, it will look absolutely gorgeous... I love what I've seen so far.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back