Consolidated XPB2Y-1

DaleCrane

I am looking for informationon the Consolidated XPB2Y-1. It was the prototype for the Coronado patrol bombers. To my knowledge there was only one built, and it was used as the personal transport for one of the admirals in the Pacific; Nimitz or Halsey, I think.

I was an aviation machinist mate in Fleet Air Wing Two, and did some maintenance on the engines.

I will surely appreciate any information any of you would share.

Dale Crane

DougRobertson

"United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911" by Gordon Swanborough & Peter M. Bowers is the definitive reference, published by The Naval Institute Press in 1968 with new material in 1976.

Prototypes were ordered from Sikorsky and Consolidated.

The prototype Consolidated XPB2Y-1 first flew on December 17, 1937, powered by four Pratt & Whitney XR-1830-72 Twin Wasp engines. The production types were named Consolidated PB2Y Coronados. There were also the XPB2Y-3 serno 1638 and the single XPB2Y-4 serno 1636 with Wright R-2600 Cyclones. It would appear that these last two prototypes were converted to production PB2Y-2 models as their sernos are included in the production -2 series.

Production PB2Y-2: 1633-1638 These had P&W R-1830-78 engines with two-stage turbochargers

Production PB2Y-3: 7043-7242; 02737-02746 These had P&W R-1830-88 engines.

Ten PB2Y-3Bs went to England under Lend-Lease. Some PB2Y-3s became PB2Y-5s and PB2Y-5R transports or PB2Y-5Hs.

The reference has more detail, photo and three-view drawings. No mention of Navy Admiral transport.

DaleCrane

Thank you very much for the information on the XPB2Y-1. I will check this out in the United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911.

Bluedharma

That is what I like about Doug.

He know about it... or he knows where you can find out about it!

Great info Doug!

Best Regards,

DougRobertson

Thank you, Paul. I have accumulated several hundred aircraft references over nearly 50 years, including perusing aviation bookshops in foreign countries with selective purchases. I've had the above reference since 1976 publication, and refer to it frequently. Our member William T. "Bill" Larkins has a number of his Naval aircraft photos in the book. I also prize one of my references signed by the late Peter M. Bowers, another great aircraft photographer and historian.