World War 2 Aircraft Logo
Home » USA » Consolidated PB2Y Coronado

Consolidated PB2Y Coronado

Aircraft Lists

Soon after Consolidated's famous PBY Catalina had flown, plans were drawn up to build a larger maritime patrol flying-boat with a greater weapons capacity and higher speed. The resulting XPB2Y-1 competed successfully against the Sikorsky XPBS-1 and after a number of modifications it entered production as the PB2Y Coronado. The type saw limited service in World War II with the US Navy and 10 examples were used by the RAF, mainly as transports.

With heavy defensive armament, long range and a large weapons load the PB2Y had the potential to be one of the US Navy's most important patrol flying-boats of World War II. However, production preference was given to the twin engined PBY Catalina of which thousands were built compared to a mere 226 production PB2Ys.

The prototype, designated XPB2Y-1, underwent evaluation in early 1938 and was selected over the XPBS-1 but a number of shortcomings needed to be addressed before production could begin. The most serious problem was lateral instability which was solved by modifying the tail unit. The tailplane was given significant dihedral, and endplates similar to those on the B-24 bomber were fitted. The nose profile was also changed to a more rounded appearance.

The main production version was the PB2Y-3, which saw little operational service during the war. Ten PB2Y-3Bs supplied to the RAF as Coronado GR. Mk Is were mostly used for hauling freight across the Atlantic.

Later versions were fitted with air to surface vessel (ASV) radar and other variants included the PB2Y-3R transport and the PB2Y-5H casevac aircraft. All Coronados had been withdrawn from service by VJ Day.

Sponsors

Consolidated PB2Y Coronado


Consolidated PB2Y Coronado long-range flying patrol bomber Consolidated PB2Y Coronado Single-fin prototype Consolidated PB2Y Coronado
A number of PB2Y-3s were cinverted to PB2Y-5 standard. Alterations included fitting more powerful R-1830-92 enignes, increased fuel capacity and provision for RATO(rocket assisted take off) gear. The sharp dihedral of the Coronado's tailplane and its associated endplates. The aircraft were wheeled to the water using a trolley system. A lack of lateral stability was rectified by replacing the single fin with two endplates.


Consolidated PB2Y Coronado (Technical Specification)
Role Long range flying boat patrol bomber
Manufacturer Consolidated
Maximum Speed 359 kmh (223 mph)
Maximum Range 3,814 km (2,365 miles)
Ceiling 6,250 meters (20,500 feet)
Weight
Empty
Maximum Takeoff

18,568 kg (40,850lbs)
30,844 kg (67,857 lbs)
Dimensions
Wingspan
Length
Height
Wing Area

35.05 meters (115 ft)
24.16 meters (79 ft 3in)
8.38 meters (27 ft 6 in)
165.36 square meters (1,780 sq ft)
Engines Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-88 Twin Wasp radial piston engines each providing 895-kW (1,200 hp)
Armament Two 12.7mm (0.50 cal) machine guns in bow, dorsal and tail turrets
One 12.7mm (0.50 cal) machine gun in each of two beam positions
Up to 5,443 (11,975 lbs) of bombs, depth charges or torpdeoes



Photo Gallery

Click here to submit your photo


Have A Passion For Aircraft?
Subscribe to our 14 series FREE newsletter
delivered weekly on World War 2 Aircraft factfile...
Email:
NB:- We hate spam as much as you do, so your email address will NEVER be shared with or sold to anyone else. That's a Guarantee.


Directory
Best 10 Aircraft   Top 10 Favorites   United States   Germany   Great Britain   Japan   Russia  
Italy   Model Gallery   Resources   Contact Us   Guestbook  
Copyright © Aircraftaces.com All rights reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.