PBY-5 Catalina

One of the most versatile aircraft of World War II, the PBY flew a range of missions, including hunting for German U-boats, low-level night attacks against Japanese positions and air-sea rescue of downed aviators.  PBYs were the aircraft that first spotted the approaching Japanese fleet during the Battle of Midway in June 1942.  In the lowered position the PBY’s wing tips served as floats when the flying boat was on the water.