US Navy PBY Catalina Units of the Atlantic War (Combat Aircraft)

by Ragnar Ragnarsson

List Price:	~~$20.95~~
Amazon Price:	$15.71 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.
You Save:	$5.24 (25%)
Average Rating:
Lowest New Price:	$8.95
Availablitiy:	Usually ships in 24 hours

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
USN PBY Catalina Units Atlantic

Customers who bought this item also bought

All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book., 2008-01-17
Very pleasant reading, good background information even for someone new to reading about operating a PBY in wartime. Great pictures that clearly show the weather influences of the Atlantic ocean and the human side.
The detailed study on the development of the PBY as an introduction helped to set the basis of how important this "old" aircraft was in the defeat of the 'modern' U-boat.
Pictures are clearly described in detail. All through the book, it tells about the struggle to overcome the dominance early in the war of the german U-boat and the slow change in numbers and tactics to help the convoys getting through unharmed.
I really like reading the Search and Rescue stories that showed the versatility of landing a PBY anywhere.
It exactly contains what the title says.
If you are looking for a book that descibes the PBY, see:
PBY Catalina - Walk Around No. 5; ISBN-10: 0897473574
PBY: The Catalina Flying Boat; ISBN-10: 0870215264
PBY: The Catalina Flying Boat

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5 out of 5 stars

very Informative , 2007-08-03
This is a well written, well documented book regarding the PBY and Navy crews in the Atlantic during WWII. The pictures are black and white and sometimes difficult to see. I am looking forward to the similiar book on the Pacific operations of the PBY.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3 out of 5 stars

US Navy PBY Catalina Units of the Atlantic War, 2007-05-26
The book was a boring read about the units that operated the PBY. I was looking for more about the aircraft itself. The book did spend some time describing the "teething" problems of the 1 thru 5A models but not enough on the aircraft and the training necessary for pilots to be certified.
This was a VERY remarkable aircraft for it's time. It flew for hours on two engines and had huge wings that sacrificed speed for lift and endurance.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5 out of 5 stars

Very good book!, 2007-05-13
Hi friends:
This book are very good! I recomend!
Best regard,

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5 out of 5 stars

PBY Combat Action in the Atlantic!, 2006-12-27
When thinking of legendary WWII warbirds, Consolidated's PBY does not automatically spring to mind. Yet the lumbering, big-winged Catalina saw combat from the first day of the war to the last, serving in all theaters. Its record of service in U.S. Navy squadrons in the Atlantic is covered in this Osprey volume, #65 in their 'Combat Aircraft' series.

Arguably the most sucessful patrol bomber ever, the PBY was absolutely crucial to the Allies' victory over German U-boats in the Atlantic. PBY crews flew thousands of hours, boring holes in the skies searching for the tell-tale feather of a periscope or - if the gods were with you - a fully surfaced U-boat.

During the war, USN PBYs sank 19 U-boats, more than half the total claimed by all Allied Catalina units. Given the aircraft's slow speed and inadequate armament - one/two .30 caliber popguns in the bow and single .50 calibers in waist blisters - that record speaks for the courage and skill of Navy Catalina crews.

Author Ragnar Ragnarsson details the kills scored by USN PBYs, other missions less successful and the often horrendous weather conditions that marked all Atlantic PBY operations. Ragnarsson's text is complemented by over 90 black & white photos including rare combat shots and 10 pages of color sideviews by Jim Laurier.

All in all, a nicely done tribute to the brave PBY crewmen who played such a great role in defeating the U-boat threat.

Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.