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Historical Notes |
| The Consolidated PB2YCoronado was designed to be a patrol flying boat with increased performance and good weapon load capability over the PBY Catalina. This flying boat flew for the first time on 13 August 1937. In 1939, the U.S. Navy ordered six of the aircraft and they were delivered to U.S. Navy Squadron VP-13 on 31 December 1940. The four engine aircraft was powered by 1290 hp Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp radial engines mounted on the wing. The aircraft was metal and had stabilizing floats which retracted to form wingtips in flight. Bomb bays were formed into the wing. There was room for a crew of nine. Basically, the aircraft was a long range flying boat bomber used extensively by the U.S. Navy and the Royal Air Force. Over 200 of the PB2Y's were built but only one survives. That is B.U. 7099 which is in refurbishment at Pensacola FL. |
PB2Y B.U. 7099 on the tarmac at Lung Hwa.
Fleet Admiral C.W. Nimitz arriving by PB2Y flying boat for Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay, 29 August 1945
PB2Y cruising off San Diego CA, Consolidated Vultee photo
In October 1941, the U.S. Navy started giving names to its planes similar to what the British military had been doing. Coronado designated the Consolidated PB2Y. Before that time, PB2Y designated Patrol Bomber, type 2, made by Consolidated. --- TIME Magazine, October 13, 1941
PB2Y moored at NAS Jacksonville FL during World War II (U.S. Navy Archives)
Consolidated PB2Y Coronado on patrol bombing mission (U.S. Navy Archives)
PB2Y’s in formation during World War II, July 1945
