Cat Question

Hi Ross,
Thanks for the reply,It must have been a bit of me, misreading your post and wishful thinking of a stirling & manchester in coastal colours.
cheers
Jerry

Sorry Jerry they were not Coastal Command Assets but Bomber Command ones.

The list is in a “ready info” type book that was created by No.16 Group.

It contained a variety of information that any new Group Officer may need at his fingertips during his watch.

The depth charge loadouts were what he could reasonably expect the aircraft on standard patrol to carry.

In addition where Bomer Command aircraft had been cleared to carry and drop depth charges the list detailed these.

The senario is mass gathering of U-Boats at sea. all Coastal Aircraft used for patrols, call made to all Commands and their aircraft sent on patrol with DCs. Question how may sticks could each type drop before needing to rtb… answer in the ready book.

Regards
Ross

from David’s site:

the final PBY-4 was not initially delivered to the US Navy for squadron use but was retained by the manufacturers for further design work. In fact, it was used for trials of the amphibious undercarriage system that was to provide future Catalinas with so much flexibility and that was ultimately to ensure the type’s longevity. Bu1245 had its weight increased by 2,300 lbs through the addition of two main wheel units, a nose wheel assembly and associated wheel well bays and doors.

Regards

Mark Pilkington

I think you will find the PBY-5A amphibian could carry the same ordinance as the PBY-5,

I’m looking at the PBY-4 but there wouldn’t have been too much change if anything it would have been lighter without the undercarriage. But then with the radar and leigh light I don’t know what these would have actually weighed but it would probably all even out in the end.

AIR15/549 gives ….. for Coastal Command.
….Stirling… Manchester …. Albemarle ….
Regards
Ross

Hi Ross,
Curiosity is getting me …
Do you know when, which unit/s, of coastal command used these aircraft.
It might give some interesting colour schemes for some models….
cheers
Jerry

Did the weight of the ordanance carried very with the amount of fuel carried?
Was the amount of ordanance carried affected after the introduction of the 5-A version?

Herman

yes, as stated in my post…

I think you will find the PBY-5A amphibian could carry the same ordinance as the PBY-5, but it suffered reduction in all up weight for fuel and also therefore range due to the weight of the undercarriage, although I think the PBY-5A may have had improved performance P&W 1830’s, there was a lot of weight in the undercarriage. The RAAF modified 29 of its 46 PBY-5A aircraft back to pure flying boats as PBY-5A(M) and used these for black cat mining missions.

I also believe the RAAF carried some US made mines internally due to their size.

Regards

Mark Pilkington

Did the weight of the ordanance carried very with the amount of fuel carried?
Was the amount of ordanance carried affected after the introduction of the 5-A version?

Herman

The consensus seems to be two per wing, so I’m guessing the text in question is wrong. As usual a big thanks for all the help.

I wasn’t aware that torpedoes were carried, that must have been an interesting sight.

Although a load of four DCs (2/side) was the norm, lighter DCs could be carried in order to increase the number of rounds which is why ‘inkworm’ will have read of, for example, a stick of six DCs being dropped.

On the subject of torpedoes, these were not carried routinely by RAF Catalinas although they were trialled.

AIR15/549 gives the standard patrol depth charge loads for Coastal Command.

The list of aircraft makes interesting reading.

For 450lb depth charges:
Blenheim 2
Beaufort 4
Vildebeest 2
London 2
Lerwick 4
Sunderland 4
Whitley 4
Catalina 4
Hampden 4
Wellington 6
Stirling 24
Manchester 15
Halifax 15
Hudson –
Albemarle 6

250lb DC
Blenheim 4
Beaufort 6
Vildebeest 4
London 4
Lerwick 8
Sunderland 8
Whitley 10 or 12
Catalina 8
Hampden 4
Wellington 6
Stirling 24
Manchester 15
Halifax 15
Hudson 4
Albemarle 9

Regards
Ross

Just on the phone to a Cat expert as I opened the forum!

The answer is 4; 2 per wing.

As to torpedoes, wasn’t there a vintage clip site posted on here win which there were shots of Cats torpedo dropping?

G’day 😉

The consensus seems to be two per wing, so I’m guessing the text in question is wrong. As usual a big thanks for all the help.

I wasn’t aware that torpedoes were carried, that must have been an interesting sight.

According to ‘Combat Aircraft of World War 2’ the Catalina could carry according to mission requirement = four depthcharges, two torpedoes or four 1,000 lb ( 454 kg ) bombs. The armament was altered on later models but no info. provided.

My grandads memoirs cover this and how they often could only carry 2 if they needed 15+ hours fuel…ISTR he sank his Uboat with only 2 on board

That’s what I thought, however I’ve read a report of a Catalina that dropped a stick of 6 across a U-Boat and want to try to confirm the facts.

Hi Chris, email me off board, I have all the pics you need!

Cheers,

That’s what I thought, however I’ve read a report of a Catalina that dropped a stick of 6 across a U-Boat and want to try to confirm the facts.

Two each side on my Airfix one

anyone?