In the early 1940s, France placed an order for 30 PBY-5 Catalinas soon after the British placed their first production order for the aircraft. However, the delivery was never fulfilled since France capitulated before the aircraft could be delivered. France acquired 3 PBY-5A Catalinas from the Royal Canadian Air Force to serve in the Caribbean since their islands lacked proper airfields. These PBY-5As lacked the armament of the Catalina and were used in civil roles, mainly moving passengers.

Introduced in Update "La Royale", the French PBY-5A behaves just like its American counterpart, offering a very large bomb load at the cost of speed, manoeuvrability, and survivability for its BR. It can be used with effectiveness in all gamemodes, air, ground and naval battles thanks to its versatility. Its bomb load is capable of destroying several ground targets with carpet bombing or destroying bases in air battles, meanwhile it has access to torpedoes for naval combat.