Consolidated Aircraft Consolidated PB2Y Coronado
Consolidated Aircraft · Maritime Patrol · USA · WWII (1939–1945)
The Consolidated PB2Y Coronado was a U.S. Navy four-engine maritime patrol flying boat designed as a larger maritime patrol successor to the PBY Catalina. Consolidated built 217 PB2Ys between 1937 and 1944. The Coronado served briefly as a maritime patrol aircraft and then transitioned mostly to long-range Pacific transport and medical-evacuation duty. Despite its size and capability, the PB2Y was eventually overshadowed by the smaller PBY and the larger Martin Mars; the type was retired by the U.S. Navy in 1945 immediately after V-J Day.
The PB2Y was a high-wing four-engine flying boat with twin tail fins. Power: four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radials (1,200 hp each). Maximum speed 224 mph; range 2,300 miles with full bomb load (or 5,000 miles in transport configuration); service ceiling 20,500 ft. Payload: 12,000 lb of bombs or depth charges in internal wing bays + 8,000 lb of cargo in the hull. Defensive armament: 8 .50-cal Browning machine guns in nose, dorsal, waist, and tail turrets. The PB2Y was about twice the empty weight of the PBY (28,000 lb vs. 17,400 lb) and three times the bomb load — but only slightly faster and considerably less manoeuvrable.
The PB2Y's combat patrol record was modest. The aircraft sank or damaged a small number of Japanese ships during 1942-1944 Pacific operations, but the U.S. Navy decided early in WWII that the PBY was a better maritime patrol airframe (smaller, cheaper, more numerous) and that long-range Pacific transport was a more-valuable role for the PB2Y. About 60 PB2Y-3R transport conversions were built, with internal cabin space for 44 passengers or 25 stretcher cases. These flew Pacific MEDEVAC and VIP-transport missions through the end of WWII.
Post-war the PB2Y was retired immediately as the U.S. Navy consolidated maritime patrol on the PBY Catalina (extended in service) and PBM Mariner (continued production). About 4 PB2Y airframes survive in 2026 in static-display condition; none are airworthy. The largest preservation example is at the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Consolidated PB2Y Coronado was a big flying boat used by the American Navy in World War Two. It had four engines and could take off and land on water. Consolidated made 217 of these aircraft between 1937 and 1944.
The Coronado started out as a patrol plane, looking for enemy ships and submarines. It later spent most of its time carrying people and supplies across the Pacific Ocean. It also flew hurt soldiers to hospitals far away, doing medical-evacuation missions.
The Coronado was heavier than two PBY Catalinas put together. It could carry a huge load of bombs or up to 8,000 pounds of cargo inside its hull. Eight machine guns helped protect it from enemy aircraft.
Even with all that power, the Coronado was only a little faster than the smaller PBY. It was also harder to fly and handle. Other planes like the PBY and the Martin Mars ended up being more popular.
The American Navy retired the Coronado in 1945, right after World War Two ended. It had a short but important career helping win the war in the Pacific.
Fun Facts
- The Coronado had four engines, each one powerful enough to move a speedboat at full throttle.
- It could fly up to 5,000 miles in transport mode — that is longer than a trip from New York to London!
- The Coronado was heavier than two PBY Catalinas combined, making it a true giant of the sky.
- Eight machine guns were placed in the nose, back, sides, and tail to defend the plane.
- It could carry 12,000 pounds of bombs tucked inside its wings — that is heavier than two large pickup trucks.
- The Coronado could fly as high as 20,500 feet, almost as high as some small mountains.
- Only 217 Coronados were ever built across seven years of production.
- After the war ended in 1945, the Navy retired the Coronado almost right away.
Kids’ Questions
Why is it called a flying boat?
A flying boat has a hull shaped like a boat's bottom. This lets it land on and take off from water instead of a runway. The Coronado used oceans and harbors as its runway!
What did the Coronado do in the war?
At first it looked for enemy ships and submarines over the ocean. Later it carried soldiers, supplies, and injured people across the Pacific Ocean. It was very busy doing these transport and medical missions.
Why did the Navy stop using it so quickly?
The Coronado was big and could carry a lot, but it was hard to fly and only a little faster than smaller planes. Other aircraft like the PBY and the Martin Mars did similar jobs better. When the war ended in 1945, the Navy no longer needed it.
How fast could the Coronado fly?
The Coronado could reach a top speed of 224 miles per hour. That is faster than a race car on a highway! Even so, smaller planes of the time were not much slower.
Variants
- PB2Y-2 / PB2Y-3 / PB2Y-5
- Production sub-variants 1937-1944. PB2Y-3 (1942-1944) was the most-produced sub-variant. R-1830-78 engines.
- PB2Y-3R (transport conversion)
- Pacific transport variant with internal cabin for 44 passengers or 25 stretcher cases. About 60 conversions. Used for Pacific MEDEVAC and VIP transport.
Notable Operators
- U.S. Navy
- Sole operator. Maritime patrol and Pacific transport service 1940-1945. Retired immediately after WWII.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the PB2Y replaced by the smaller PBY?
The PBY Catalina was cheaper, more numerous, and easier to operate from primitive forward-area moorings. The PB2Y's larger size and four engines required better-equipped maintenance facilities and more skilled crews. U.S. Navy doctrine for maritime patrol favoured the higher-numbers PBY over the higher-capability PB2Y. The PB2Y eventually transitioned to Pacific transport / MEDEVAC, where its long range and large cabin were more useful than its bomb capacity.
How many PB2Ys were built?
217 airframes between 1937 and 1944 at Consolidated's San Diego, California plant. About 60 of these were PB2Y-3R transport conversions. Production was small relative to other WWII maritime aircraft (PBY: ~3,300; PBM: ~1,400).
What did PB2Ys do in WWII?
Maritime patrol over the Pacific Ocean (sank/damaged a small number of Japanese ships), Pacific MEDEVAC for wounded U.S. and Allied personnel (about 60 PB2Y-3R transport conversions), VIP transport for U.S. Navy senior officers, and convoy escort. The aircraft did not have the same combat record as the smaller PBY Catalina.
Are any PB2Ys preserved?
About 4 airframes survive in 2026, including the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola. None are airworthy. The PB2Y is one of the rarer surviving WWII flying-boat designs.
How was the PB2Y used post-war?
It wasn't — the U.S. Navy retired the PB2Y immediately after V-J Day. Maritime patrol responsibility consolidated on the smaller PBY Catalina (which continued in second-line service into the late 1940s) and the PBM Mariner (which received post-war production and Korean War service).
Sources
See Also
- Consolidated PBY Catalina — Smaller and more-numerous sister maritime patrol flying boat
- Martin PBM Mariner — Sister U.S. Navy maritime patrol flying boat
- Martin JRM Mars — Larger U.S. Navy four-engine flying boat (post-war)
- Consolidated B-24 Liberator (PB4Y) — Sister U.S. Navy maritime patrol aircraft (land-based)
- Boeing 314 Clipper — Civil flying-boat contemporary