Low-flying Catalina

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Rod Diery
How long did the Netherlands keep Catalinas in service? Were the ex Australian aircraft used for military service, civilian use or just for spare parts?

Hi Rod,

Here's a short history on the Catalinas used by the Netherlands Naval Air Service (MLD):

Consolidated PBY Catalina
50 PBY-5/5A ordered from Consolidated 11 October 1940, serialled Y-38 to Y-87.
Y-38 to Y-73 36 aircraft of PBY-5 version delivered 3 September 1941-16 January 1942.
Y-74 to Y-85 12 aircraft PBY-5A amphibian version delivered 2 September 1942-20 November 1942.
Y-86 & Y-87 2 aircraft PBY-5A version delivered 17 May 1943.
Survivors serial prefix changed to P in July 1946, and to 16 in 1947. Last example wfu 14 February 1952. Used by 321 sqn in Ceylon for ASW/maritime patrol/transport.
Y-3 on loan from US Navy, 2 March - 7 March 1942.
Y-88 to Y-93 six aircraft, Boeing (Canada) P2B-1 Catalina IVB from RAF 9 July 1944 - 1 August 1944, returned to RAF 4 February 1945 and replaced by 6 identical models in November 1946, with the same serials. Later reserialled 16-88 to 16-93. Aircraft scuttled 25 July 1950.
16-200 to 16-206 two PBY-5 Catalina I and five Catalina IVA from RCAF 17 September 1946-26 December 46, last withdrawn 14 February 1952. 16-207 to 16-210 four PB2B-2 Catalina VI from RAAF 1947. Last withdrawn 17 October 1949. 16-211 to 16-216 six PBY-5A, from US Navy 9 February 1951 - 25 July 1951. Withdrawn 14 August 1956 - 13 May 1957.
16-217 to 219 renumbering of 3 survivors from original PBY-5A batch April 1953. last withdrawn 12 August 1957.
16-220 to 225 six PBY-5A ex-RAAF, delivered 2 February 1954 - 8 December 1954, wfu & scrapped 12 August 1956 - 1 July 1957.

Source: http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/neth/mld/mldtypes.htm

Just a short answer, have to run now!
H.