Consolidated PBY "Catalina"

The Consolidated PBY "Catalina" is a military aircraft designed in the 1930s (First flight March 28, 1935) in the United States.

It is widely used during World War II, as the US military than that of other allied countries, performing a wide variety of missions (anti-submarine warfare, convoy escort, sea rescue, etc.).

Very reliable and able to fly great distances, there were about 4000 of Catalina built, some in Canada and the USSR. It has been used by over 25 different countries, including as a civil transport aircraft. A number of aircraft are still in flying condition, used as water bombers in the framework of the fight against forest fires. Others have been restored and maintained in flying condition by various associations. The original designation of the aircraft was simply PBY ("PB" for Patrol Boat, "Y" is the designation of the company Consolidated, its constructor). He was nicknamed "Catalina" by the British, in reference to Santa Catalina Island. Aircraft manufactured in Canada were designated "Canso". 

... The "RCAF9767" 

The Consolidated PBY "Catalina" which will be presented to the "Habsheim Airshow 2016", the "RCAF9767" (Canadian Military number) was built in Sea Island (south of Vancouver) before being delivered to the "Royal Canadian Air force "as" Canso A ". It is then assigned to Reykjavik (Iceland) to 162 (BR) Squadron (plane "S" for Sugar).

It is in this period, 17 April 1944, it PBY-5A sank the U-boat U-342 (in German marine) surface, in the southwest of Iceland.

This U-boat commissioned by the Oblt. Hossenfelder Albert, on his first operational cruise, having left its home port of Bergen two weeks ago.

The submarine and its crew of 54 sailors, never saw their homeland ...

In April 1946, the "9767" is acquired by the "Canadian Pacific Airlines" and registered "CF-RRC" where he will serve for fourteen years.

It changed companies several times thereafter before becoming property of "Avalon Aviation" that turns it into water bomber.

In the late 1980s, "Avalon Aviation" cease its activities and the plane is stored before being bought by "Canadian Air Legend" of French Franklin Devaux which brings it to France in 1995.

From October 1995, the "9767" is used for a year and a half for the TV show "Operation Okavango" with Nicolas Hulot.

After this period, it is painted with the colors Air France, he is in another presentation at the Place de la Concorde (Paris, France) in 1998 before making a commemorative flight in memory of Jean Mermoz and Aéropostale that will lead until the airplane South America.

In 1999, the "9767" returns to France where it loses its Canadian registration history "C-CRRF" for an American "N9767".

Just a few years this "Catalina" joined the French association "France Flying Warbirds", based on the airfield of Melun Villaroche (south of Paris).

The "N9767" regains its original livery and gradually its configuration from 1944 through volunteers and is regularly presented in the meeting.