Restored PBY....interesting video of W.W.2 flying boat

[Sturgis270]

https://vimeo.com/99919462

 

[Colonialgirl]

I lived out on Ford Island In Oahu Hawaii in 1947-48 when my Dad was in the Navy (AEIC) and stationed there. Use to see these ALL the time and IF you ever watch the actual combat films from the Attack on Pearl Harbor, you'll see a number of these fine aircraft shot up and burning.

Pamela

 

[toysoldier]

A plane like no other. It's one I'd like to fly in. I remember reading about one that, long after the war, was converted into a flying operating suit. Two motors (Lycoming?) were added to the wing for shorter takeoffs and higher speed.

 

[WendyZXZ]

An excellent video and job on the restoration!

 

[Bob Wright]

The PBY, like the C-47, was a multi-use airplane that saw service far beyond its design concept.

With the MADCATS in the Mediterrean it was an effective U-Boat killer when fitted with 60 lb. retro-bombs. In the Pacific it often served as a torpedo bomber.

Bob Wright

 

[Colonialgirl]

I seem to remember hearing somewhere that in order to enhance their patrol time they could shut off one engine and maintain flight on a single engine with MUCH less fuel consumption. I don't know if the story is true or not.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Fascinating video! Thanks much for sharing that.
Ken

 

[737tdi]

Pamela, I would think that is untrue. The P3 Orion does that, but it is a 4 engine aircraft. They will shut down the outboard engines and patrol for many hours.

As for the topic, this is a great aircraft and very simple to operate and maintain. I know that you folks are not aviation people for the most part but look past the perceived subject. The structure of this aircraft is very similar if not the same as aircraft flown today. Look over the speakers right shoulder and view the skin. Those are L angle structures and are still in use although limited. Most now are U type stringers. My point being always look beyond the focal point, there are interesting things there.

Good stuff.

Karl

I would like to add. If you wanted to restore an aircraft this would be the one. Not a lot to deal with. No flaps, structure is simple. The hardest thing would be the hydraulics and that is not hard. I would love to work on a project like this.

 

[powder smoke]

Loved it Thanks. ps

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The nose wheel doesn't steer?? Yikes!! Crosswind takeoffs and landings must be fun. :D

 

[Wyandot Jim]

The nose wheel doesn't steer?? Yikes!! Crosswind takeoffs and landings must be fun. :D

Most Navy planes have non steering nose wheels. That allows them to turn much sharper helps the ones on the carriers. You steer with the brakes or throttles.
One of my magazines had a very good article on restoring it and getting it to the US. Notice they had to build a different type rudder than original. The cost of the fuel was probably around $100,000 to get it the12,000 miles from Africa.
Most of the aft part of the wing is fabric as are the controls.
In the 60s there was a company that made them into Sky Yachts. Pretty nice camper fer sure

 

[k22fan]

Mercer Island, a wealthy city, is in the southern part of Lake Washington. On the South end of Lake Washington is Boeing Field in Renton.

During a southerly wind storm a flying boat broke loose from its moorings in Renton then sunk off the South end of Mercer Island where it lay undiscovered for decades. Local teenage scuba divers found it. It remained a not so secret diver’s destination until their parents discovered teenage boys working on a .50 caliber machine gun in their bedroom. :shock: The navy removed the rest of the guns. I don’t know if it is still open to swim through but it is still there.

 

[737tdi]

The nose wheel doesn't steer?? Yikes!! Crosswind takeoffs and landings must be fun. :D

Most Navy planes have non steering nose wheels. That allows them to turn much sharper helps the ones on the carriers. You steer with the brakes or throttles.
One of my magazines had a very good article on restoring it and getting it to the US. Notice they had to build a different type rudder than original. The cost of the fuel was probably around $100,000 to get it the12,000 miles from Africa.
Most of the aft part of the wing is fabric as are the controls.
In the 60s there was a company that made them into Sky Yachts. Pretty nice camper fer sure

Jim: You should of had said "Most vintage Navy planes had non steering nose wheels" if they had a nose wheel at all. Most were tail draggers anyway. All modern Navy/Marine aircraft have steerable nose wheels. They can turn inside themselves (the inboard tire/tires rotate backwards in the turn). I have towed 12 F/A 18's into a hangar designed for 4 before Hurricane Hugo hit Beaufort SC. They were stuffed in. You could hardly fit a playing card between them. We had just gotten back from a Med. cruise and had to stick them in the hangar.

Good article and great convo.

Semper Fi:

Karl

 

[gramps]

Thanks for the post. A nice restoration. As the man said " it was an adventure!"
gramps

 

[opos]

Many of the pictures in the San Diego area and the airport where it is shown landing and tied down is Gillespie field in El Cajon...just about 5 miles from my home..we get to see all sorts of great restored aircraft at the Museum "work shop" right near one of the indoor ranges where I've been known to shoot...The PBY always get's attention when it's around..wonderful that there are dedicated folks that do this kind of restoration and history..

 

[Critch]

I used to work with a gentleman, and I mean that in every sense of the word, who was a navigator on PBYs during the Aleutian Campaign. He absolutely loved that plane. I remember him telling me that it would be hard to find an environment to fight a war in that was more hostile to aircraft, ships and men.

The first one I ever saw was flying low off the coast of Vandenberg AFB in 1974. It was sporting WWII navy colors, but I don't know who it belonged to. It was one of my favorite models to build when I was kid.

 

[Merle1948]

When I first got to San Diego in the mid sixties the Coast Guard was still flying PBYs. They had a crossing between the bay & the airfield, and it was quite a sight to watch them taxi across the street. :)

 

[opos]

When I first got to San Diego in the mid sixties the Coast Guard was still flying PBYs. They had a crossing between the bay & the airfield, and it was quite a sight to watch them taxi across the street. :)

Yep...watched it a lot and sat in traffic waiting for the planes to cross on occasion...I miss the "taxi" drill of going from the Coast Guard station across Harbor drive to the airport for take off and landing...had a stop light that brought everything to a halt and the plane waddled across the street...it was part of the "charm" that is lost with time.

 

[eric conrad]

They used them for passenger planes between Long Beach and Catalina until the 70"s I believe.
Eric