Consolidated PB2Y Coronado
The Consolidated PB2Y Coronado was a large four-engine flying boat built for the US Navy as a long-range patrol bomber. Designed by Consolidated Aircraft and first flown in 1937, it was intended as a bigger, longer-ranged complement to the company's famous PBY Catalina. The Coronado entered service around 1940 and was used for maritime patrol, anti-submarine work, and bombing, but its high cost and the adequacy of the cheaper Catalina and land-based bombers limited production to about 217 aircraft.
Many Coronados were converted into long-range transports designated PB2Y-3R and PB2Y-5R, ferrying cargo, passengers, and casualties across the Pacific. Capable of carrying a heavy bomb load and a crew of around ten, the Coronado was one of the largest American flying boats of World War II.
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Consolidated
- Type
- Four-engine patrol bomber flying boat
- Crew
- 10
- First Flight
- 1937
- Powerplant
- 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radials, 1,200 hp each
- Max Speed
- 223 mph
- Range
- 2,300 mi
- Service Ceiling
- 20,500 ft
- Length
- 79 ft 3 in
- Wingspan
- 115 ft
- Loaded Weight
- 68,000 lb (max takeoff)
- Armament
- 8 × .50 in machine guns; up to 8,000 lb of bombs or depth charges