PBY Video, from AOPA.

**trucker17** · May 12th, 2015, 20:00

This was posted at A2A......
http://www.nxtbook.com/fx/media/ooya...k2WnlSwfvifrlA

**roger-wilco-66** · May 12th, 2015, 20:51

Very nice video, I think I revisit my Aerosoft Catalina. Despite it's age it is still a superb rendition of the aircraft and fun to to fly.

Cheers,
Mark

**Naismith** · May 12th, 2015, 23:05

Didn't Aerosoft do an update on the Catalina? In any case it is a superb model from what I have seen.

**roger-wilco-66** · May 13th, 2015, 00:09

There are two updates, 1.11 and 1.20 , see http://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?...talina-update/

Didn't know about the 1.2. The link in the posting is not working for me, I'll check if it is distributed via the webshop and my order.

Cheers,
Mark

**Naismith** · May 13th, 2015, 01:47

v1.2 is nearly 400Mb in size I don't know if I can pm it to you if you cannot get it from your original order.

edit:- cancel that I thought I had the update. seems it is the original file so obviously copyright issues come into play.

**expat** · May 13th, 2015, 01:58

Nice video and story. Remarkable duty of these guys in WWII. Great fan of the PBY and HU-6 but IRL both are relatively pigs/goats to fly, big, lumbering loud and not a very comfortable experience.

Q: is there a pre-war paint for the Aerosoft PBY like in the video? Did the pre-war PBY's have retractable gear/amphibious versions or just the flying boat back then?

**roger-wilco-66** · May 13th, 2015, 02:33

Prewar versions would be from PBY-1 (1936-37) up to PBY-4 (1938) and didn't have a retractable gear. They had a fixed / attachable gear to be able to roll them around on the ground, but that was not intended to be used for taking off.
Retractable gear was only the PBY-5a (1941-45) and PBY-6a (1945). The letter "a" denoted the retractable gear in the type designation.
Aerosoft modeled the PBY5, 5a and 6a in their package.

I seem to remember that there was a colorful pre war livery somewhere, but I have to check that when I come home. That livery would be fictive on a PBY5, though.

I really admire the work that has been put into the Aerosoft version. There are even torpedo carrying models, a fully functional Sperry autopilot, a non standard (damage modeled) engine module, and a ton of other stuff that make flying the Cat a nice and challenging experience.
The only additional thing I would have loved to see is the flight engineers place in the center wing supporting nacelle (of which I'm not sure if it was still there in the latest versions) and the sea radar to go hunting for the Tokyo Express at night or bad weather :-)

Cheers,
Mark

***Dimus*** · May 13th, 2015, 05:04

Something like this?

Pre-war colorful bliss...

**expat** · May 13th, 2015, 05:21

Something like this?

Yes indeed

a non standard (damage modeled) engine module

Yes, I think of it in far less polite terms when it takes me by surprise! Thanks for the model data Mark.

Agree the Aerosoft model is very well done and good value. My limited flying in it is mainly due to the narrow performance envelope (accurately replicated from the plane IRL). As one vet said, "rotate at 99 IAS, cruise (for hours on end) at 99, short final at 99 knts . ."

**roger-wilco-66** · May 13th, 2015, 05:51

Originally Posted by expat

.... As one vet said, "rotate at 99 IAS, cruise (for hours on end) at 99, short final at 99 knts . ."

Ha ha exactly the same saying with the Ju 52 :-)

***jankees*** · May 13th, 2015, 07:49

I had a PBY pilot tell me "flaps? we don't need flaps! We're so slow our only worry is bird strikes....from the rear."
I love the Catalina, heck, they even named it after my daughter!