ULTRA RARE Franklin Mint 1/48 PBY-5A Black Cat B11F040 NEW with COA and Book For Sale

1/48 Franklin Mint Armour Collection No: B11F040

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina Patrol Bomber

U.S. Navy VP-34 \"Black Cats\", Aircraft No. 74

Southwest Pacific, 1944

NEW, EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COLLECTOR\'S SET: This Franklin Mint PBY-5A Catalina has never been removed from its original factory mounting screws. The model includes the Certificate of Authenticity, original white shipping box, and a paperback copy of Black Cats and Dumbos: WWII\'s Fighting PBYs by Mel Crocker.

Out of Production, Extremely Rare and Hard to Find. Highly Sought After by Collectors.

• Scale: 1/48
• Product Number: B11F040
• Type: Die-cast Display Model

The Franklin Mint Armour Collection is renowned for its meticulously engineered die-cast replicas honoring the aircraft, missions, and aviators who shaped aviation history. Model B11F040 represents a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina of U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron VP-34, one of the legendary \"Black Cats\" that prowled the Southwest Pacific under cover of darkness during 1944. Finished in black nighttime camouflage with distinctive gloss-black undersides, these long-range patrol bombers conducted hazardous low-altitude attacks against Japanese shipping, supply routes, and island installations. Produced in an impressive 1:48 scale, this substantial replica captures the Catalina\'s enormous parasol wing, boat-shaped hull, amphibious landing gear, observation blisters, external ordnance, and unmistakable aircraft number \"74\".

Included Book:

Also included is a paperback copy of Mel Crocker\'s Black Cats and Dumbos: WWII\'s Fighting PBYs, a detailed history of the Catalina crews who conducted nighttime attack and air-sea rescue missions during World War II. The book provides an excellent historical companion to this rare VP-34 \"Black Cats\" display model.

Key Features:

• 1/48 scale pre-finished display model
• Substantial die-cast metal construction with minimal plastic components
• Accurately reproduced PBY-5A amphibious airframe with engraved panel and surface detailing
• Distinctive non-reflective black nighttime camouflage
• Detailed cockpit, bow gun position, and prominent waist observation blisters
• Rotating three-bladed propellers and detailed Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engine nacelles
• Amphibious tricycle landing gear for land-based display
• External underwing depth charges accurately reproduced
• Professionally painted finish with authentic pad-applied markings
• Certificate of authenticity included
• Massive wingspan of approximately 26 inches (66 cm)

Developed to patrol the immense distances of the Pacific, the Consolidated PBY Catalina became one of the most versatile maritime aircraft of World War II. Its exceptional range, endurance, and rugged construction allowed it to perform reconnaissance, bombing, anti-submarine patrol, convoy escort, transport, and air-sea rescue missions.

The PBY-5A introduced retractable tricycle landing gear, transforming the flying boat into a true amphibian capable of operating from both water and conventional airfields. Its broad parasol wing carried large internal fuel tanks, while retractable wingtip floats provided stability on the water. Depending on the mission, the Catalina could carry bombs, depth charges, mines, or torpedoes.

In the Pacific, black-painted Catalinas became famous as the \"Black Cats\". Flying at night and often attacking at masthead height, their crews hunted Japanese ships, barges, supply routes, and island installations. The Catalina\'s slow speed -- normally a disadvantage -- gave its crews greater control during these dangerous low-altitude attacks and helped make the aircraft one of the Pacific War\'s most effective night raiders.

Patrol Squadron 34 -- VP-34 \"Black Cats\"

Established at Naval Air Station Norfolk in April 1942, Patrol Squadron 34 initially conducted antisubmarine and convoy-protection patrols in the Caribbean. After transferring to the Pacific in 1943, VP-34 moved through Hawaii and Australia before beginning offensive operations from Samarai, Papua New Guinea, in December 1943.

Flying black-painted PBY Catalinas under cover of darkness, VP-34 attacked Japanese ships, barges, supply routes, and coastal installations throughout the Bismarck Sea and Southwest Pacific. Its crews frequently approached at masthead height, using bombs, depth charges, and machine-gun fire to disrupt Japanese shipping. These dangerous missions earned several squadron aviators the Navy Cross.

VP-34 also distinguished itself in air-sea rescue. On February 15, 1944, Lieutenant Nathan Gordon landed his Catalina four times under enemy fire near Kavieng and rescued 15 downed airmen, an action for which he received the Medal of Honor. Later redesignated VPB-34, the squadron continued Black Cat attacks, reconnaissance, evacuation, and rescue operations through the Philippines campaign.

Specifications for the Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Role - Long-range maritime patrol bomber / amphibious reconnaissance and air-sea rescue aircraft

Total Aircraft Manufactured - 802 Consolidated-built PBY-5As; approximately 3,300 Catalinas of all principal variants produced, excluding some license-built derivatives

Manufacturer - Consolidated Aircraft Corporation

Crew - Typically 8?10 (Pilot, Copilot, Navigator, Flight Engineer, Radio/Radar Operator, Bombardier and Gunners)

Dimensions:

Maximum Length - 63 ft 10.5 in (19.47 m)

Wingspan - 104 ft 0 in (31.70 m)

Height - ~20 ft 2 in (6.15 m) in landplane configuration

Wing Area - 1,400 sq ft (130.1 m²)

Weights:

Empty - ~20,910 lb (9,485 kg)

Gross - ~32,000 lb (14,515 kg)

Maximum Takeoff - ~35,420 lb (16,066 kg)

Powerplant:

Engines - 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 ?Twin Wasp? radial engines

Type - 14-cylinder, two-row, air-cooled radial piston engines

Power Output - 1,200 hp (895 kW) each

Performance:

Max Speed - ~196 mph (315 km/h) at altitude

Cruise Speed - ~125 mph (201 km/h)

Range - ~2,520 mi (4,055 km), depending on fuel, payload, and mission profile

Endurance - Commonly 15?20 hours; longer under favorable patrol conditions
Service Ceiling - ~15,800 ft (4,816 m)

Rate of Climb - ~1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s) initially, depending on weight

Armament:

Guns (Typical PBY-5A Configuration):

2 × .30-caliber Browning machine gun in the bow turret

2 × .50-caliber Browning machine guns, one in each waist blister

1 × .30-caliber Browning machine gun in the ventral tunnel position

Ordnance:

Up to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) carried beneath the wings

Could carry conventional bombs, depth charges, naval mines, or torpedoes depending on mission requirements.