PBY Catalina

Description

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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

PBY Catalina

The iconic PBY Catalina first flew in the 1930s and is still flying today. It was produced by Consolidated Aircraft for the US Navy and entered service in 1936 as a long-range flying boat and patrol bomber. The onset of the Second World War in 1939 saw PBY production increase for the USN. The British Royal Air Force ordered the PBY in 1940 and named it the Catalina, which the USN adopted soon afterwards. The amphibious PBY-5As produced by Canadian Vickers in Canada were called the Canso after the famous strait in Nova Scotia. Over 3,000 PBYs were manufactured during WW2 and used by the USN, RAF, US Army Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and many other allied air forces.

WWII Aircraft

The PBY saw action in every combat theatre as a bomber, anti-submarine, reconnaissance, transport and air sea rescue aircraft. It was crucial in the anti-submarine role during the Battle of the Atlantic, found the Nazi battleship Bismarck, discovered the Japanese fleet approaching Ceylon and the Japanese aircraft carriers at the pivotal Battle of Midway. The PBY continued in military service after the war and surplus aircraft were used worldwide in civilian roles as a passenger, freighter, aerial survey and fire-fighting aircraft. The RCAF used the Canso post-war until 1964 for transport, northern mapping and Search and Rescue. Canso Investment Counsel Ltd. is named for the endurance, versatility, ruggedness and dependability of the Canso. Squadron Leader Andy Carswell, our founder’s father, flew the Canso and was awarded the Air Force Cross for his flying skill and valour on rescue missions.

BU46590


The Plane Tags have been manufactured from aluminum skin from a PBY-5A Catalina, Serial# Bu46590 manufactured for the US Navy in 1944 at the Consolidated factory in New Orleans. It saw active USN service on patrol over the Atlantic and training missions over the Pacific. It then served with the US Coast Guard in Florida, Washington State and Alaska. It was sold surplus in June 1950 to California Aircraft Corporation and registered as N68756. It was converted to civilian use and was purchased in 1952 by Fullerton Oil Company of Pasedena, California for use as a VIP corporate aircraft. It was then sold in 1960 to Herb Schriner, a TV personality, who modified the interior to resemble Jules Verne’s Nautilus submarine! It continued to be owned privately until 1977 when it was bought by the Quebec Labrador Mission to deliver supplies to remote settlements. It was acquired 1979 by the Confederate Air Force of Harlingen, Texas which flies WW2 aircraft in air shows. The CAF then put it in Royal Australian Air Force colours as Catalina NB-N, the “Sea Bitch”. It flew the 9700 miles and 55 hours flying time from Monterey, California to Brisbane, Australia in January 1981 for an Australian tour celebrating the 60th anniversary of the RAAF. The CAF continued to fly it until 1986 when it was retired for maintenance reasons. It was used for parts and ended up at the Pima Aviation Museum in Arizona where MotoArt purchased the remaining fuselage in 2017.

 

Easy Shipping

Domestic Shipping: 3-5 Days

International Shipping: 8-15 days

Allow 8-10 days for custom engraving

 

*Important Notice – Please Read Carefully

PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each one bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the exact color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.

Caution: Not recommended for children under 8 years of age. This product contains chemical-based paint which may cause respiratory irritation if ingested or inhaled in large quantities. Keep out of mouth.

Customer Reviews
5.0 Based on 11 Reviews
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Filter Reviews:
    DS
    12/02/2022
    David S.
    United States

    Nice memento of WWII Naval aviation

    I bought this in commemoration of my dad's service in WWII as well as flying PBYs. I had a local artist engrave the back with my dad's name and rank, dates of active service and total PBY hours.

    JR
    01/04/2022
    John R.
    United States United States

    Pacific Cat Tag

    The PBY tag is one of my favs, showing shades of Navy blue paint for the WW2 vet. It would be nice to see more of the naval aircraft, i e., F4F, F6F, Corsair, etc. Vintage planes from WW2 are my first prefetence.

    RM
    10/01/2021
    Ray M.
    United States United States

    Love all tags

    There is not use just display!

    KW
    06/01/2021
    Karen W.
    Australia Australia

    Plane tag birthday gift

    I purchased this for my husband’s birthday, his father was a radio operator on a Catalina based in Australia during WW11. He loved the gift, which arrived months before his birthday.

    KC
    04/25/2021
    Kevin C.
    United States United States

    PBY

    Fantastic piece of history! The detail on the laser engraving is amazing. Thanks MotoArt!

    JA
    03/02/2021
    John A.
    United States United States

    Very Meaningful Memento

    My father served on PBY's in World War II as a US Navy Hospital Corpsman flying out of Morocco. This tag now is hanging on my wall over a model of a PBY. I only wish my father, a retired US Navy Warrant Officer, were alive to see and touch it.

    DP
    02/03/2021
    David P.
    United States United States

    Love It

    No Way would I put this on my Luggage

    KM
    12/01/2020
    Kyle M.
    United States United States

    Amazing product!

    Fantastic,quick shipping and super communication!

    SL
    10/04/2020
    Saurabh L.
    Belgium Belgium

    Wonderful & elegant.

    Love the colour & texture of the skin. So glad to hold a piece of aviation history. Thanks PlaneTags & MotoArt. Looking foward for more such masterpiece...!!

    HV
    07/14/2020
    Hans v.
    Canada Canada

    Like flying into the great blue!

    Holding the Catalina Tag is like going into the blue yonder, wide open blue skies over endless seas of shades of blue...just amazing to have a piece of aviation history in my hands - one can almost hear those two big engines rumbling...

    PD
    07/03/2020
    Philippe D.
    France France

    PBY Catalina

    Perfect ! Easy order, fast delivery, nice product.

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