Was Catalina #30 a PBY-5 or a PBY-5A, etc. ?

[Fliegend]

Hello Folks. I trust you are well. In keeping with the graphic, below, aircraft #30 has been shown / stated to be both a PBY-5 (no wheels, top graphic) and a PBY-5A (w/ wheels, bottom graphic). Can you tell me (1) which is correct or, (2) if both are correct, but at different times, and (3) if the front machine guns bubble is correct, and (4) sources for response, and, (5) if you can’t help otherwise, can you point me to an Internet site that could answer this?
Thanks very much in advance for your help.
Best regards,
David

[attachment=0]ABD7E1BE-04D8-4692-AC04-C3132BCC457C.jpeg[/attachment]

Attachments

Catalina # 30 Pacific Theatre

[JohnB]

In the early 70's my dad had a friend who was in the Black Cats.
I was in high school and built models, so he asked me to make him one.

I used the Revell straight -5 kit. That's what he wanted, so I assume that's what they flew.
Thank goodness it was all black, it made painting easy. I customized it with his large number on the tail (I can't recall which one), using numbers sourced from model railroad decals, and I custom made under wing radar antenna.

He was very pleased with it.