1943 PBY-5A Catalina
Once a patrol bomber hunting submarines off Iceland, this amphibious warbird now honors veterans, educates the public, and inspires future aviators. Fully airworthy and undergoing step-by-step restoration back to its military configuration, the 1943 Catalina connects generations with every flight.
Fast Facts
Service & Assignment
Performance & Features
Combat History
Deployed in 1943 to 162 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, this PBY-5A Catalina flew long-range photo reconnaissance and submarine hunting missions out of Reykjavik, Iceland. In April 1944, it helped sink German U-Boat U-342 southwest of Iceland, marking one of the war’s critical Allied victories in the North Atlantic.
Combat Highlights
U-Boat patrols in North Atlantic
Sank U-342 on April 17, 1944
Assisted Allied naval coordination off Iceland
Notable Engagements
April 17, 1944 –Sank U-342 (U-Boat VIIC) with depth charges at 60°23'N, 29°20'W.
Combat Retirement
Stricken from RCAF on April 1, 1946
Restoration Story
After decades of service as a patrol bomber, transport, firefighter, and film platform, this PBY-5A was acquired by Soaring by the Sea Foundation in 2018. She crossed the Atlantic once more – from France to Scotland to Iceland to Greenland – before hopscotching from Greenland and Canada to Michigan, Oklahoma, New Mexico and California before landing in Eugene, Oregon in 2019. Her final leg from Sonoma, California to Eugene was flown by a volunteer crew of veteran aviators and welcomed by over 100 supporters, including a WWII pilot who had flown Catalinas during the war.
Restoration Team
- Multiple civilian operators from 1946–2018
- Final restoration overseen by Soaring by the Sea Foundation and volunteers
Restoration Highlights
- Hull still capable of amphibious takeoff and landing
- Temporary tribute paint honors squadron VP-14's role during the Pearl Harbor attack
Modern Mission
Today, this Catalina flies not to hunt submarines but to connect generations. With its rare amphibious design and storied combat record, this aircraft draws crowds at airshows, provides unforgettable ride-along experiences, and serves as a centerpiece for veteran honors and youth aviation programs.
Mission in Motion
No longer grounded in the past, this aircraft serves the present through:
Airshows around the world
Ride-along flights
Veteran ceremonies and flyovers
STEM and history programs for youth
A Story That Soars
One of the last flying PBYs
Tribute to early Pacific vigilance
Honors both North Atlantic and Pearl Harbor legacy
Built to Serve. Rebuilt to Inspire.
This Catalina embodies the heart of our mission. Whether circling above a memorial, flying a student for the first time, or standing tall on the flight line, it keeps the story of service airborne.
Line of Sight
See how history flies again.
Whether you're hands-on or high-altitude, there’s a place for you in the Soaring by the Sea Foundation mission.