Resurrect the PBY Catalina?

[Slater]

Well, call me skeptical:

 

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/aviation-company-relaunching-pby-5-as-modern-military-aircraft

[Mike]

Hello Skeptical

[stevehnz]

It would appear to me that the CL-415 would be a better basis  for developing a new model but in truth, Japan has already done the hard yards with the US-2, so no need to develop a new anything.

Steve.

[hairystick]

Already done in the form of the Be-200.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beriev_Be-200

[stevehnz]

11 minutes ago, hairystick said:

Already done in the form of the Be-200.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beriev_Be-200

Can't see them being a natural fit for the USN.

 

[Alan P]

Surely a licence built US-2 would be a better fit? Also, regarding the MC-130 concept, why would SOF need an old, slow cargo aircraft to land on water, we have submarines and GPS-assisted airdrop for that 🤔

[Greg B]

Add to that the inefficient design of the Catalina. The wing has no flaps or slats and is optimised for a cruise speed 0f 110kts. Not exactly efficient or likely to get fare paying passengers anywhere fast.  

[Tentacles]

1 hour ago, Alan P said:

MC-130 concept

To be fair, it does fulfil what - in my opinion - is an important function: Looking cool

 

[Alan P]

4 minutes ago, Tentacles said:

Looking cool

Each to their own, I suppose!

[Mike]

How about a C-17 Floatplane?  That would turn heads

[alt-92]

On 7/26/2023 at 12:48 AM, Slater said:

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/aviation-company-relaunching-pby-5-as-modern-military-aircraft

"A Florida company"

 

I'd never have guessed.

[Alan P]

43 minutes ago, alt-92 said:

"A Florida company"

 

I'd never have guessed.

You have to admire their entrepreneurial spirit while shaking your head at the front of the guys 😂

[noelh]

If they're thinking of bringing back flying boats. Why not a Sunderland?  It's bigger and four engined.

Edited August 14, 2023 by noelh

[Graham Boak]

Reliable engines are not readily available.  Size and cost would be well above that for a PBY, and the range less.

[RAF4EVER]

Resurrect the SARO Princess,

 

[Chief Cohiba]

On 7/26/2023 at 12:59 AM, Mike said:

Hello Skeptical

You make me want to quote Pulp Fiction!

 

But in fact something comparable has been executed before with the Dornier Do-24 ATT, which was a test carrier for various technologies and materials, but to us it is just a cool 30ies flying boat with modern turbo prop engines:

 

http://iren-dornier.com/en/aircraft/iren-do24.html

[alt-92]

6 hours ago, Graham Boak said:

Reliable engines are not readily available. 

Plonk two PT-6s on there, good to go. 

[Graham Boak]

For the Sunderland.  As opposed to the Catalina with its P&Ws.

[alt-92]

Reinstate the Mk.V in that case.

[Graham Boak]

While we are at it, Sopwith Camels to replace the current RAF fighters.  Nostalgia and interest in the past has its place (if not, what are we doing here?) but re-instating this age of design to meet modern requirements is just plain silly.  A decent modern flying boat (if such would meet any real requirement) just wouldn't look like a Sunderland.  Not to mention modern waters being far too mucky and garbage laden (nor to mention full of shipping) to provide safe operating areas.  

[alt-92]

1 hour ago, Graham Boak said:

While we are at it, Sopwith Camels to replace the current RAF fighters. 

Now there's an idea... semi-stealthy, extremely capable of NoE flying ( just need to get some old LVA HuBoBe tactical training) and less dependence on rare metals too.

 

/staggers off cackling wildly

 

[PattheCat]

The intended scale isn't mentioned ..... 1/144 or even 1/350 preferably IMHO, as it would improve stealth, lower the maintenance costs and just need a bathtub to lift off/land.

[Eric Mc]

I suggest they should have a go at getting the SARO Lerwick right this time.

[noelh]

3 hours ago, Graham Boak said:

While we are at it, Sopwith Camels to replace the current RAF fighters.  Nostalgia and interest in the past has its place (if not, what are we doing here?) but re-instating this age of design to meet modern requirements is just plain silly. 

True, but while you mention the Camel. The ongoing war in the east has effectively cleared the skies of modern fighters. Specifically I'm talking about CAS. Replaced by small inexpensive, slow moving stealthy, expendable aircraft. Which mass over the battlefield attacking troops in trenches. Shades of late WW1 tactics. 

 

The PBY isn't of course the answer but the requirement is there particularly over the Pacific. The very theatre that the PBYs patrolled.

 

Perhaps the C130 will fit the bill.

 

 

Edited August 15, 2023 by noelh

[Graham Boak]

The logistics for these aircraft would still be enormous.  The actual loss of runways would be perhaps the least of the problems.