PBY-5A Takeoff / Landing Roll

[the lancaster kicks ass]

But if the 605 and Griffon were so close why is it that the 605's proformance wasso much different? It seems that the Merlins evolved and changed better the the DB engines. Any other thoughts?

remember it also depends on the aircraft it's in...............

[MP-Willow]

True, but the bf 109s were very good. It is a little sad that they could not keep up the design.

Now as for the PBY it did just fine. Just as long as it was not being chased by the 109

[mosquitoman]

I don't know that a PBY couldn't defend itself, I've read reports of an Avro Anson shooting down 3 Bf109s

[R Pope]

The biggest snag in developing power from German engines was the lack of high octane fuel. No octane, no boost, no big power, even nitrous wouldn't help much.

[cheddar cheese]

I don't know that a PBY couldn't defend itself, I've read reports of an Avro Anson shooting down 3 Bf109s

Was it by the same guy? Cos if so he was only 2 kills away from being the worlds first "Anson Ace"

[mosquitoman]

Sorry CC, I've no idea

[cheddar cheese]

Damn... never mind

[MP-Willow]

The PBY has no flaps and turns real slow and runs slow. A fighter can find itsself inside that 102 foot wing span real fast. Trying to stay with it can be hard. It could deffend itself, but a fighter can out turn it.

[the lancaster kicks ass]

hehe an anson ace............

[HealzDevo]

There is a book by John Cotton, "A Funny Place to Hold a War" which is about a Catalina base somewhere out in the middle of nowhere where sabotage has been going on as a plane mysteriously blows up on take-off. It would seem there is a German Sabotoar on the loose. Thought this relevant as it is interesting insight into a PBY base in Africa or somewhere remote during WW2.

[mosquitoman]

I'm amazed that PBYs didn't land by the convoy it was overflying to refuel so it could cross the entire Atlantic- removing the "Gap"

[MP-Willow]

It could not land in the open water like that. Have you seen the North Atlantic on a calm day, 2 to 3 foot seas. A PBY was rated for small ways but near shore was the best. The North Atlantic was hardly ever a calm sea. Sutherlands had a little better time landing in big seas.

[Glider]

Sunderlands were banned from landing to pick up survivors fairly soon after the start of the war as so many crashed in the attempt. It is difficult to judge the height of waves from the air and you don't get a second chance. I know a number did but it was unofficial. It was the dear old Walrus that used to land to pick up people. That takes guts.

A small story was in 1944, a Walrus picked up an American out of the sea and discovered his base was on the way home. They landed at the fighter base and no one came out to meet them. After a while a jeep hurtled up to them, slowed almost to a stop, drove slowly around the Walrus. The officer simply shook his head, muttered 'Dear God' and drove off again.

Re the Anson. I remember reading about this. It was a long time ago but if I am right it was the CO of a squadron who upgunned it with a 20mm throught the floor, waist guns and at least one extra mg in the nose. I could be totally wrong but it does ring a bell in the back of my head.

[MP-Willow]

Glider, thanks for the help. I have read about the Walrus, but it just could not stay with the fet no legs. All the seaplanes save the H8K I think were not that good for open see. I thought the Sunderland was a little better then the PBY.

But I do like the seaplanes. The PBM-5 needs to get more credit then it dose.

[mosquitoman]

What's a PBM-5?