CATALINA. RC FLYGPLAN.

SVÅRIGHETSGRAD 4/5

The model is a very prototypical replica of a legendary American aircraft on a scale of 1:17.5. The prototype of this legend took off for its maiden flight on March 21, 1935! At the request of the US Navy, a few changes were made to the design so that the Catalina could fulfill its main task - patrol bomber - even better. With a huge fuel supply of 1,475 US gallons (= 5,380 liters) or 1,750 US gallons with additional tanks (= 6,620 liters), it achieved a range of 2,500 miles in one patrol! 14-cylinder double radial engines Pratt&Whitney R-1830-92 with a starting power of 1,200 hp were used as engines. They drove Hamilton-Standard 28E50 three-blade propellers with a diameter of 12 feet. The machine was quite slow (cruise speed 188 km/h, max. 280 km/h), which was an advantage for their tasks. Originally, all machines were built purely as seaplanes. From No. 1245 (already PBY-5) they got retractable landing gear and an additional A ( amphibian ) designation. This version significantly expanded the operational capabilities of the Catalina. The last version (the PBY 6/6A) got, among other things, a new rudder and tailplane. We chose this version in a SAR paintwork from 1948 as a model. The Catalina was used worldwide, especially during World War II - submarine hunts in the Atlantic, torpedo attacks, "Black Cats" night missions in the Pacific and rescue of downed pilots and sailors, to name just a few missions. In the post-war period, she continued to serve faithfully, among other things, as an "island hopper", fire-fighting aircraft, etc. The US Navy retired the last machine on January 3, 1957. A total of around 3,270 were built - a unique number in this aircraft category!

In terms of flying, the model is a typical Catalina! Comfortable, safe, stable & lifelike. The wing has both aerodynamic and geometric twist; the relatively low wing loading also has a very positive effect on the flight characteristics. The kit provides for the construction of both versions (PBY-6 seaplane or PBY-6A with landing gear). With the water variant, some parts are omitted, which saves approx. 200-250g in weight, which benefits the water operation! State-of-the-art CAD processes were used in the design of the model. The surface of the GRP parts is carefully refined with engraved lines, hints of detachable fenders, etc. Some CNC milled plywood parts including Bowden cable outer tubes for the control of the rudder and elevator are installed in the fuselage by the manufacturer.

The three-part wing, tailplane and rudder are made of Styro & Balsa technology, aileron and elevator are Elastoflaps. The wing sections are plugged in and the tailplane is connected to the fuselage using CFRP tubes, the guides of which are already glued into the middle section of the wing. The main landing gear made of steel wire is already soldered together and included in the kit as a finished part. Some plastic parts manufactured in a vacuum process, CNC-milled plywood or GRP parts, a lot of small parts, detailed construction plan, detailed construction instructions with construction stage photos and stickers complete the kit content.