NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats first flew in 1935.
Catalina's were originally designed as long range patrol bombers intended to locate and attack enemy transport ships.
They could be equipped with depth charges, bombs and torpedoes.
The PBY Catalina served with every branch of the U. S. military and in the air forces and navies of many nations.
They were among the most widely used and versatile planes of World War II. They were used as a submarine hunter, for search, rescue,
reconnaissance, as a night bomber, for convoy escort and as a transport.
Catalina aircraft were responsible for the sighting of the Bismarck, leading to its eventual sinking, plus the spotting of the Japanese fleets at Midway and Wake Islands.
The amphibians distinguished themselves as exceptionally reliable. They were involved in the rescue of thousands of downed airmen.
When the new PBY Catalina was introduced it featured several innovations which were unique for the time. It had a parasol wing, similar to previous models. The difference was that bracing for the wing and the tail was done internally.
This helped lessen overall drag. The floats retracted into the wing tips, greatly reducing drag. Eventually the aircraft acquired retractable landing gear, making it a true amphibian.
The last active military PBY Catalina's were retired from service in the 1980's. Today some continue to fly as private transports, tour aircraft, and air tankers.
About 4,050 Consolidated PBY Catalina aircraft were produced. No other flying boat was manufactured in greater numbers.
We remember a rc PBY Catalina scale model airplane for sale by Hobby-Lobby, since discontinued. It may have been from Kyosho.
The picture right above is of the rc PBY Catalina RTF for sale by Nitro Planes. It has a wingspan of 54" and a length of 34 1/2", with power by a pair of 370 motors. It comes ready to fly with radio, speed controller, batteries and charger.
In the first ad below, FOR SALE is the ARF Great Planes PBY Catalina rc.
It has a fiberglass fuse with balsa built up wings. With a length of 34" and a wingspan of 53.5" It only weighs around 3.5 lbs. Great Planes recommends you power it with a pair of 28-30-950 Rim Fire motors.
G & P Sales has three rc Catalina
kits for sale. A nice looking example is
shown in the second pictured
below. They all have fiberglass fuselages
with balsa over foam core
wings.
The smallest G & P
Catalina rc scale model airplane
has a wingspan of 62" and a
length of 47". Recommended
engines are .20 to
.28 two cycle.
The middle size G&P Catalina rc airplane has a wingspan
of
84" with a length of 51". It can be powered with .40 to .46 two cycle engines. All up weight is
around 10.5 lbs.
The largest G&P giant scale Catalina for sale has a 104" wingspan and a 70" length. You can
choose .60 two cycle or .90 four cycle engines for power. About 23 lbs. will be what it will weigh.
In the third picture below is Ivan Pettigrew and his rc PBY Catalina built from his own Ivan's Plans
which are for sale. They have two sizes from which to choose. The smaller, called the Minicat, has a 83" wingspan and a 52" length. You
can power it with 2 GWS Speed 400 geared motors.
You can find plans for a giant scale rc Catalina for sale from Ivan's Plans. It has a 100" wingspan with a 63" length. Recommended power are a pair of geared Speed 600 motors.
The bottom picture is of the rc PBY Catalina for sale by Ducted Fans.com. It
features a glass fuse with balsa over foamy wings. Wingspan is 54", length is 49"
and weight is about 3 lbs. You will need Speed 480 size motors for power.
JR Models has a 47" wingspan rc Catalina for sale. You can power it with two 480 type motors and it should weigh about 48 oz. when completed.
Aero-Naut has a Catalina scale model rc airplane for sale with a 71" wingspan. It has a length of 44". You can power it with two Actro C8 motors.
Dare Hobby has a rc Catalina kit for sale. It has a 44" wingspan, with a length of 28" and is made from balsa and plywood.
Hangar Hobbies, Hong Kong makes a rc PBY Catalina for sale that comes ready to fly (RTF). It has a wingspan of 54" and a length of 34 1/2". Included are a pair of Speed 370 type motors. It appears that this foamy is being sold on eBay and at numerous retailers including Raidentech, Banana Hobby, and Toysonics.
Cleveland Model has plans for sale of the rc PBY Catalina with wingspans of 39", 52", 78", giant scale sizes of 104", 156", 208", and a huge 26 foot wingspan giant scale rc model.
Kit Cutters took all of the Cleveland Plans of the rc PBY Catalina and made kits for sale of them.
Kit Cutters has taken Sid Morgan Plans and made them into a rc PBY Catalina kit for sale that has a giant scale 108" wingspan. If you want to build from the plans, they have those for sale separately.
Kit Cutters has a kit for the rc Catalina for sale made from Uncle Willies Plans. It has a wingspan of 80" and a length of 49". Power can be from engines or motors.
If you have a favorite PBY Catalina rc, please email us about it.
Consolidated PBY Catalina
It has a fiberglass fuse with balsa built up wings. With a length of 34" and a wingspan of 53.5" It only weighs around 3.5 lbs. Great Planes recommends you power it with a pair of 28-30-950 Rim Fire motors. 
