Among the many US types operated by the Brazilian Navy during WWII was the PBY Catalina. By providing these aircraft to Brazilian forces, it allowed them to patrol the considerable coastline for German submarines, thus augmenting the Allied war against the U-boats. Of course, many of these plane survived post war and continued to be used for maritime patrol and for SAR work. The type was also provided to other South American forces to be used post war.

This new sheet by FCM is in 1/72 scale and while no kit is indicated, There is no lack of 1/72 Catalinas out there with most probably headed for the fine selection by Academy as they do a variety of variants.

The first option is a Brazilian PBY-5 without the wheels and this one is in the older color scheme of blue/grey over light grey. It was attached to 2 Gruppo de Patrulha in 1945.

The second one is a post war PBY-5A with the Grupo Aeronaval de la Flota in Argentina during 1958. This one is white with large daglo red patches. The rudder and elevator stripes are in blue and white and will need to be painted in place. Also in need to be painted will be the yellow upper wing surfaces, making this a very colorful aircraft.

The final option is also an Argentine aircraft from Escuadra Aeronaval #2 in 1958. This one is overall painted aluminum, without the yellow upper wings. Like the previous option, the blue and white bits will need to be painted.

The sheet itself is superbly printed by Microscale so you know the quality is good. There are enough insignia to do one Brazilian and one Argentine subject.  The full color instructions give not only profiles but upper and lower views as well so one can get the colors and markings just right. No specific paint company info is provided and all colors provided are generic with FS 595 references given where appropriate.

May 2012