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PROTOTYPE of the Catalinas of WW II fame was the Consolidated
XP3Y-1 of 1936. Featuring the then-new P&W Twin Wasp of 800-bp, its maximum speed was 169 mph. Weight was 19,800 lbs. Range of streamlined boat was demonstrated in several distance record runs.

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COMPETITIVE with XP3Y-1 was XP3D-1 using the same engines. Wing was hull mounted. 

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TORPEDO-BOMBER was principal mission of 1937 twin-float hall aluminium XPTBII-2.

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SIKOPRESY XPBS-1, one of the two 1938 four-engined prototypes; other developed into PB2Y.


(later Convair) for the XPY-1. This was a parasol monoplane flying boat using either two Wasp or three Whirlwind engines, and represented a major advancement in flying boats when it first flew in 1929. Production contracts for the PY were given to Martin, where another larger monoplane prototype was also being developed. The subsequent P2Y's of the early Thirties were the first of these new designs to be built in numbers. They made many headlines for long distance flights.
Small numbers of amphibian VP designs from Sikorsky and a large four-engined Hall-Aluminum prototype also appeared during this period. In addition, Douglas P2D-1's (twin engined biplanes originally designed as long range torpedo or bombing planes) served with various VP squadrons.

In late 1933, prototypes of the next advanced designs, the Consolidated XP3Y-1 and Douglas XP3D-1,  were ordered. Both were all-metal monoplanes utilizing the new twin row radial engines and placing considerable emphasis on aerodynamic streamlining with retractable tip floats and a minimum of external strut bracing. The XP3Y-1 was selected for production as the PBY-1 which in later series was to achieve fame as the WW II Catalina.
Another program was initiated to provide a replacement for twin float P2D's. This was the Hall-Aluminum XPTBH-1, basically a torpedo and bomber airplane. After considerable redesign, the XPTBH-2 was tested, but not put into production. 
With PBY's replacing the earlier types in service, two larger 4-engine patrol plane prototypes made their appearance in the late Thirties, as well as a new twin engine design using larger engines. The four-engined PB2Y and twin-engined Martin PBM were put into production. 
As the war approached, production of the PBY, as well as the later designs, was accelerated. An NAF version of the PBY, the PBN was also ordered. 
Based on a concept of catapulting heavily loaded flying boats, the XPBB-1 was ordered from Boeing. A larger Martin, the XPB-2M-1 was also built.
Flying boats had come a long way since WW I, and great advancements were in sight. These advancements were to continue, but before 1941 was over, land-based patrol planes had entered service, foretelling the action that was to come the following year.

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GULL WING of Martin XPBM-1, which initially flew in 1937, is still familiar on the P5M Marlins operated in VP squadrons today. Prototype of the WW II Mariners was powered by two 1600-hp Wrights. With normal take-off weight of 40,500 lbs, max speed was 223 mph.

JULY 1961