The original "Catalina," more accurately the Model 28 or PBY, was designed and built by Consolidated Aircraft in the 1930s. During World War II, the "Catalina" seaplane was widely used and served in various branches of the US Armed Forces and other nations' air forces and navies.
Over 4,000 "Catalinas" were produced in the United States, the Soviet Union, and Canada . According to one source, 14 to 17 "Catalinas" and "Cansos" can still fly as of mid-2023, with at least seven more being restored to a flyable condition and many more being stored or displayed.Popular Mechanics , the company has let it be known that they already have a "lead" customer for its new "Catalina" and is also seeking pre-orders for its Next Generation Amphibious Aircraft , aka the "Catalina-II." Delivery of this new "Catalina" is currently penciled in for around 2029.
“The Catalina II is a new production aircraft. We are not refurbishing and upgrading old birds in the turboprop effort,” a company representative told. “Our initial flight test bird will be a product-modification of an existing aircraft to prove out initial design concepts. Production flight test may include as many as 6 test vehicles, 3 for each variant [civil and military]. We are expecting to start turbine-powered [ie.
It remains to be seen whether Catalina Aircraft can revive a World War II icon in the present day. However, the company has stated that additional details will be disclosed later in 2023, including the identity of its mysterious "lead" customer.
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