PBY-5A Late (France)
| This page is about the premium bomber PBY-5A Late (France). For other versions, see PBY-5 (Family). |
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Contents
Description
The ▄PBY-5A Catalina (Late) is a premium rank I French bomber with a battle rating of 1.7 (AB/RB) and 2.0 (SB). It was introduced in Update "La Royale".
General info
Flight performance
| Characteristics | Max speed (km/h at 2,135 m) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
| Stock | 259 | 249 | 4420 | 31.0 | 31.9 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 364 |
| Upgraded | 310 | 282 | 29.1 | 30.0 | 8.7 | 5.1 | ||
Details
| Features | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear |
| X | X | X | X | X |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 0 | 450 | N/A | N/A | N/A | ~3 | ~3 |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 220 | < 220 | < 230 | > 312 |
Survivability and armour
Much like the American, British and Soviet PBYs that came before, the PBY-5A (Late) features surprisingly good survivability, owing to the large empty spaces in the hull and armor plates behind the pilots, allowing it to soak up lots of LMG and even some weaker HMG fire. The Wing-mounted fuel tanks are a weakspot, as a number of good incendiaries in them will send you on a very painful trip to the garage or the ground in flames.
- 9.5mm Steel plates behind pilots and in front of nose gunner
- 6.35mm armor behind tail gunner
- 6.35mm and 4.7mm steel plates in wing pylon
Modifications and economy
2 × 30 / 60 / 110 % 2 × 106 / 106 / 106 % | Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Armaments
Suspended armament
The PBY-5A Late (France) can carry:
- 16 x 100lb bombs (800kg in weight, 392kg explosive)
- 4 x 500lb bombs (1000kg in weight, 650kg explosive)
- 4 x 1000lb bombs (2000kg in weight, 1270kg explosive)
- 4 x 1000lb Mk 13 Mod 0 Type A magnetic mines (2000kg in weight, 2000kg explosive)
The PBY-5A features the same, massive payload that other PBYs have: a whopping 4 Mk 13 Mod 0 Magnetic mines (That function on the ground like 2000lb bombs). Unlike other PBYs, however, it is the first to feature custom payloads, meaning that you can generate your own larger (or smaller) payloads for certain scenarios (e.g. in AB, loading the maximum payload of 4 Mk 13s + 12 100lb bombs, although whether or not they are worth the effort is up to you, as they will slow down the already slow PBY).
Defensive armament
The PBY-5A Late (France) is defended by:
- 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, nose turret (1,050 rpg = 2,100 total)
- 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, 2 x beam turrets (478 rpg)
- 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg)
The armament in the PBY-5A (Late) is a significant step up. For starters, the nose gun has been switched out for a twin .30 cal turret, making the frontal arc much more well defended. The biggest difference, however, is that the two beam turret .50 cals are now provided with late-war turret belts, which means access to the infamous M20 API-T rounds. Use of the Universal belts provides an API/I/API/API-T combination, making the turrets even more capable of shredding the biplanes and early monoplanes found at 1.7. Do remember to use manual control when enemies get up close, as you can bag a surprising number of air kills this way, even allowing you to act as an ad-hoc bomber hunter by flying alongside enemy bombers and using the .50 cals to spray them.
Usage in battles
Although technically a medium bomber, the PBY-5A's strategies are much like that of heavy bombers in higher tiers such as the B-17. It is best to fly high, as flying low will make you an easy target for fighters and AA. The best tactic for fending off enemy fighters is to use the rudders to direct one of the side gunners towards the attacking plane. It is also smart to use the guns manually in this situation, as the AI is often very inaccurate and will refuse to fire beyond a certain distance. In the worst case scenarios, a dive can be used to greatly increase the plane's speed to get to attack a ground target before a pursuing enemy fighter shoots it down.
The plane is quite unmanageable, and its wings are very weak, being able to snap just by turning just a little too tight at higher speeds in a Realistic Battle. It's also a huge target. Although the PBY-5A Catalina is slow and clunky, it offers a heavy payload that is sure to be a game changer if used properly.
The armament on the PBY-5 Catalina is what makes up for its clunky movement. The plane is capable of carrying a heavy payload of bombs or torpedoes and has defensive gunners on all sides. The two side gunners have .50 cal machine guns, making it more than capable of destroying enemy aircraft that stay within their range.
Pros and cons
Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".
Pros:
- Good payload
- Good rear defensive armament with a high coverage angle
- Durable
- Can capture points (in Naval)
Cons:
- Very bad at climbing
- Slow top speed
History
The Consolidated Aircraft Corporation PBY-5A Catalina was based on the PBY-5 variant. The main difference was the addition of amphibious capability; the wing pontoons were removed and hydraulically actuated, retractable tricycle landing gear were added to the fuselage. It did retain the ability to land on and take off from water. The PBY-5A was powered by two 1,200 horsepower R-1830-92 engines, for a total of 2,200 hp. The first production batch of 124 was equipped with only one .30 cal (7.62 mm) bow machine gun, while later batches had two.
802 PBY-5A Catalinas were built in total between October 1941 and January 1945, with some being delivered to the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) and the Royal Air Force (RAF), and one to the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The majority, though, were delivered to the United States Navy (USN). In USAAF service the PBY-5A was designated as the OA-10.
During World War 2, PBY Catalinas were used heavily in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW), patrol bombing, convoy escort, search-and-rescue (SAR), and cargo transport roles.
The PBY was the most numerous aircraft to be used in the ASW role. They were used in ASW in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, and participated in a number of U-boat sinkings.
Because of the long range and endurance of the Catalina, it was used heavily in the maritime patrol role. Notably, the PBY Catalina was used to spot the Japanese fleet before the Battle of Midway.
Catalinas were also used in the night combat role. During the Battle of Midway, PBYs scored a torpedo hit on the Japanese fleet oiler Akebono Maru. In the Guadalcanal campaign, Catalina were painted black in order to participate in night torpedo, bombing, and strafing missions against Japanese vessels. They came to be known as "black cats", and entire squadrons were dedicated to this purpose. These squadrons were used until being sent home in 1945.
Catalina are probably most recognized for their search-and-rescue role. During the war they saved thousands of sailors and airmen, particularly after the sinking if the USS Indianapolis.
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
- Related development
External links
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- other literature.
| Consolidated Aircraft Corporation | |
|---|---|
| Bombers | PBY-5 Catalina · PBY-5A Catalina |
| PB4Y-2 | |
| B-24D-25-CO | |
| Export | ▄Catalina Mk IIIa · ▂PBY-5A Catalina · ▄PBY-5A Late · ␗PB4Y-2 · ▄PB4Y-2 |
| France bombers | |
|---|---|
| Farman | F.222.2 · N.C.223.3 |
| Latécoère | Late 298D |
| Potez | Potez 633 |
| Liore et Olivier | LeO 451 early · LeO 451 late |
| Bloch | M.B.174A-3 · M.B.162 · M.B.175T |
| American | V-156-F · Martin 167-A3 · ▄A-35B · ▄SB2C-5 · B-26C · ▄PBY-5A Late · ▄PB4Y-2 |
| British | Lancaster MR.7 |
| France premium aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Fighters | D.371 H.S.9 · Pallier's D.510 · ▄P-39Q-25 · ▄P-40F-5 Lafayette · ▄P-47D-22-RE · F-6C-10-NA |
| M.B.152C1 · ▄Yak-3 · Challe's ▄Yak-9T · NC.900 · S.O.8000 Narval | |
| Jet fighters | Milan · Mirage F1C-200 |
| Strike aircraft | ▄AD-4NA · F-84F IAF |
| Bombers | Late 298D · ▄PBY-5A Late |
| Jet bombers | Vautour IIA IDF/AF · S.O.4050 Vautour IIN |
