The Cayman Islands Air Show is proud to present the PBY (Catalina).
The Consolidated PBY Catalina VPB-197 is a flying boat and amphibious aircraft that was produced in the 1930s and 1940s. In Canadian service it was known as the Canso. It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II. VPB-197 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21) on 1 September 1938 at FAB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, under the operational control of PatWing-2. During the attack on Pearl Harbor seven of the squadron’s aircraft were destroyed on the ground and three were badly damaged. While surprised by the attack, ground crews strove to save their aircraft, pulling them from burning hangars. Despite his wounds, Aviation Ordnance Chief John W. Finn was credited with shooting down an attacking Japanese aircraft, one of the three shot down at NAS Kaneohe Bay that day. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery under fire and for leading the efforts to save the remaining squadron aircraft.