US Navy PBY Catalina Units of the Pacific War

Osprey Combat Aircraft #62

by Louis B. Dorny

Although designed in the mid-1930s and in squadron service several years prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, the PBY Catalina proved its soundness in combat throughout the four years that the World War 2 raged across the Pacific. Deadly in its primary role as a submarine hunter, the PBY was the scourge of the Imperial Japanese Navy's submarine force. Its amphibious traits also made the aircraft well suited to air-sea rescue, and thousands of Allied airmen were saved from a watery grave by PBY crews.

Using personal interviews, war diaries and combat reports combined with original Japanese records and books, Louis B Dorny provides a view on the role of the Catalina from both sides of the war. Illustrated with over 80 photographs and color profiles detailing aircraft markings, this is the definitive history of and insight into the PBY's use by the US Navy and Allied forces in the Pacific during World War 2.

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2007

Reviews

[Wai Zin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually give osprey book 3 stars only.
They are full of facts and well researched but not very artistically well written.
Some of the books are borderline boring.
But this book is different, the author even tries to give us hypothetical scenario for a missing Catalina last minutes.

Whenever I read about Catalina planes, I couldn't help thinking about ill-fated Patrol Wing 10.
In the early days of WW2, they were part of the allied war efforts to stem the tide of Imperial Japan war machines. And the paid the terrible prices.
In this book it devotes a full chapter to Pat Wing 10.

So why not 4 stars?

[Rick Rodrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are an airplane, naval, ww2, or military history buff this sorry read is a worthwhile book

This is all about the planes. It's limited narrative is so filled with plane, unit, and personnel that it becomes a drone. But if you're into deep dives or don't mind skimming the details and talking in the big picture as best you can it works just fine. I doubt I'll remember much of the service but I found it a fascinating introduction to the work of floats in WW2

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in 2007, 'US Navy PBY Catalina Units of the Pacific War' is number 62 in the popular 'Osprey Combat Aircraft' series of military aviation books. This volume focuses on PBY Catalina units during the War in the Pacific in WW2. I find most books on the Pacific War of interest, but this one for a refreshing change does not focus on the accomplishments of fighter aircraft. It does make occasional references to PBYs getting mauled by Japanese Zeros. A terrific book.