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PBY

The Consolidated PBY5 Catalina Flying Boat was a reliable US Navy workhorse of an aircraft for patrol and reconnaissance work. It could be used both as a floatplane and on dry land. With a crew of 10 men, the PBY could be used for search and rescue work or as a bomber. Browning machine guns were carried in blisters on each side and bombs or depth charges could be carried under the wings. They were capable of 194 mph and had a range of 2,250 miles. Thirty-six PBYs were based at Kaneohe Naval Air Station on Oahu and only the three that were on patrol on the morning of 7 December were undamaged at the end of the day.

See also: Kaneohe Field; Oahu; Operation K; Ramset, Logan