The amazing Catalina “Flying Boat” and the hunt for the Bismark
Vic Atkinson
Contributor
April 28, 2008
The consolidated Catalina, affectionately known to those who flew her, as “The Cat”, served with honour and distinction during her long and varied career.
The “Cat’s” lineage goes back as far as the early 1930s when the United States Navy invited designs for a long range patrol aircraft able to cover long distances at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The specifications were for a metal monoplane flying boat of at least 100 feet wingspan to be powered by two reliable air-cooled radial engines.
At Consolidated Aircraft Aviation, Isaac Machlin Laddon and his design team set to work. Consolidated submitted Ladden’s design and secured a contact to build their first flying boat prototype.
And so the wheels were set in motion for what was to become one of the most successful line of flying boats ever to see service.
The U.S. Navy liked what they saw in Ladden’s first design and expanded the contract to build a second modified machine capable of a flying range of 3,000 miles. Ladden and his design crew persevered and slowly developed a design to meet all of the USN’s criteria.
After many test flights and modifications, the “Cat” gradually took shape. Powered by two Pratt and Whitney 850 hp air cooled engines, the aircraft began to show its prowess by flying from the Panama Canal to San Francisco, setting an endurance record for the longest distance ever achieved by a flying boat. The USN gave the Catalina the designation PBY or “Patrol Bomber.”
Spanning the years from 1933 to 1939, the Catalina distinguished itself as a very reliable workhorse by flying endless coastal patrols around the U.S. mainland and stretching well out into the Pacific. By 1939, the “Cat” took on another modified role as an amphibian flying boat with the addition of retractable wheels built into the hull.
As the threatening clouds of war began to dictate armament requirements, two bulbous transparent gun blisters were added on either side of the fuselage. The “Cat” now had claws. It acquired a pair of 0-303 Vickers guns in the bow and two 0-5 inch Brownings in the side blisters. Provision was also made for six depth charges, or bombs, to be carried underwing.
At the start of the Second World War, the United States government rigidly enforced America’s neutral position and stepped up patrols to protect mainland and offshore waters. By the end of 1939 an order was placed for an additional 200 PBY’s at a cost of $20 million.
Many Allied countries realized the “Cat’s” potential and soon they were serving in Great Britain, Canada, Russia, The Netherlands and Sweden, as well as in other parts of the world. Well over 1,000 Catalinas were produced, and many are still flying today in various roles.
When the Catalina went to war she soon showed her exceptional strength and was often able to dish out more than she took.
Two British Catalina captains were awarded the Victoria Cross while piloting the “Cat.” Flight Lt. John Cruickshank served with RAF Coastal Command. On patrol, Cruickshank spotted a surfaced U-Boat and attacked it. The German sub fought back valiantly and badly damaged the Catalina, wounding her crew. Bleeding from his wounds, Cruickshank relentlessly pressed home his attack and finally sank the U-boat. After limping back to base, the damaged “Cat” made a successful landing and Cruickshank and his crew were taken to hospital. Cruickshank suffered 72 wounds and was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Meanwhile, the Battle of the Atlantic was underway and the scene was being set for a fight between giants, and one tenacious aircraft.
HMS Hood was the pride of the British Royal Navy and had established herself as England’s pre-war roving ambassador. Sailing around the world, Hood was a diplomatic success story. Although in her wartime role, Hood was heavily armed but she lacked heavy armour. It was said that Hood sacrificed armour for speed. Her crew numbered 1,324 seamen.
The German Bismark was the toughest battleship of her time. Over 40 per cent of the Bismark’s displacement was her protective armour. Gun for gun she was an equal match for the Hood.
On May 24, 1941, Hood and Bismark sighted one another at an extreme distance. Firing at a range of 19,000 yards, Hood and Bismark slugged it out. At that distance the massive 15” guns were elevated to give a higher trajectory. Fired high the 15” shells descended at a steep angle.
Hood’s insufficient deck armour was unable to withstand a direct hit from Bismark’s 15” shells, one of which penetrated her deck and exploded in one of her magazines. As the magazines blew up, Hood reared her 44,600 tons into the air and broke in two. Of the 1324 crewmen, only three survived.
When news of Hood’s destruction reached Prime Minister Winston Churchill, he was angered. He knew the pride of Great Britain rested with Hood, so he issued a terse order: “Find and sink the Bismark.”
And so began the deadly cat and mouse game as warships and aircraft searched the vast Atlantic Ocean for the Bismark.
Part of the search was conducted by RAF Coastal Command. Their Catalina flying boats were equipped with extra long-range fuel tanks, and patrols scoured hundreds of miles of the Atlantic searching for the Bismark.
On May 26, one of the “Cats” struck pay dirt. A Catalina piloted by Pilot Officer Dennis Briggs spotted the German battleship and braved intense anti-aircraft fire to circle and identify her. Suffering damage, the Catalina managed to track the Bismark and radio back its exact position.
By now other English battleships, anxious to avenge Hood, were given Bismark’s position and steamed at high speed to intercept. One of the ships was the aircraft carrier Ark Royal. Anxious to be the first to intercept, Ark Royal launched her Swordfish torpedo-carrying biplanes into an atrocious Atlantic gale. On sighting the Bismark, and under appalling conditions, the Swordfish attacked and released a total of 13 torpedoes scoring two hits. One of these disabled Bismark’s propellers and another seriously damaged her rudders. Bismark’s fate was sealed. Unable to steer a straight course, she was a sitting duck for the British Fleet.
When the British battleships arrived, they opened up a calculating fire taking out each of Bismark’s huge gun turrets. Her superstructure was also targeted and blown to smithereens. Fire ravished the remains of her superstructure. HMS Devonshire moved in to administer the coup de grace, firing three torpedoes into Bismark’s battered hull. With a great groaning sigh, Bismark turned over and sank. Of her 2,300 crewmen, only 110 survived.
Churchill’s cry for the Bismark’s blood to avenge the Hood was successful aided by the lone Catalina and her gallant crew who had first sighted the Bismark. For his part in the operation, Pilot Officer Dennis Briggs was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
