The Consolidated PB2Y Coronado was a long-range flying boat employed by the US Navy as a bomber and maritime patrol aircraft during World War II. It was also used in anti-submarine warfare and as a transport seaplane by the British Royal Navy. With heavy defensive armament, long-range capability, and a large weapons load, this American flying boat had the potential to become the US Navy's most important maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft during this armed conflict. However, massive production preference was given to the PBY Catalina, of which thousands were produced.
The prototype of the Consolidated PB2Y Coronado, the XPB2Y-1, first flew on December 17, 1937. The first flight tests were satisfactory, winning the contract and beating its competitor, the Sikorsky XPBS-1. However, the first prototype had minor lateral instability problems, which Consolidated´s designers corrected right away by replacing the tail assembly, using a ¨V¨-shaped tailplane, with two fins, and a larger wing; the nose profile was also changed. Including the prototypes, only 217 Coronado flying boats were made.
The main production version was the PB2Y-3, which would be followed by the PB2Y-4 and 5 variants. This flying boat entered service with the US Navy in late 1939. It was used only in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Its first combat sortie as a bomber took place on February 9, 1944, carrying out a bombing mission on the Wake Island. The British mostly used the Coronado for hauling freight across the Atlantic Ocean.
Technical Description
The Consolidated PB2Y Coronado was a four-engine monoplane, with the bottom portion of fuselage designed as a hull to enable it to land and float on water; hence, a hydroplane or flying boat. The aircraft was fitted with cantilever, shoulder wing. The tail assembly horizontal stabilizer had a 17-degree dihedral angle. It featured two vertical stabilizers (fins) mounted at each end of tailplane.
This combat flying boat was fitted with self-sealing fuel tanks and protective armor. The PB2Y-3 version was powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-88 Twin Wasp piston radial engines, with each one of them putting out 1,200 horsepower. The PB2Y-4 variant was equipped with four 1,600-HP, Wright R-2600 Cyclone, 14-cylinder, radial engines. Later versions featured air-to-surface radar and photographic cameras.
Specifications (PB2Y-3)
Type: maritime patrol and bomber flying boat.
Length: 24.16 m (79 feet, 3 inches)
Wing Span: 35 m (115 feet)
Wing Area: 165.36 m2 (1,780 square feet)
Height: 8.38 m (27 feet, 6 inches)
Power Plant: four 1,200-HP, Pratt & Whitney R-1830-88 Twin Wasp radial engines.
Maximum Speed: 359 km/h (223 mph)
Range: 3,814 km (2,365 miles)
Service Ceiling: 6,250 m (20,500 feet)
Crew: 10
Armament: three 12,7-mm (.50-cal.) M2 Browning machine guns, mounted in bow, dorsal and tail turrets; 5,443-kg (11,975-lb) of bombs, or depth changes, or torpedoes.
The Consolidated PB2Y Coronado historical footage (video)
Below, the PB2Y-3 version in flight in 1944, over the Philippines. This version would be converted into the PB2Y-5.
The prototype of the Coronado, the XPB2Y-1 during one of its first flight tests. Notice the single fin and straight tailplane, which would be replaced sooner.
