PB-Y Hatch

FarlamAirframes · **Posted:** Fri Mar 29, 2013 1:02 pm

I acquired this hatch last year from a PB-Y 5A.

It was one of the few parts recovered from the aircraft that was scrapped in Ireland in June last year (Bu 46633).

It is 51 cm x 78cm

Can anyone tell me where on the PB-Y it was situated ?

Thank you for your time

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2635

The PBY had a roof hatch above the Navigator (behind pilot, port side), which I believe opened inward to the aircraft. The hatch you show looks like it would have to open outward from the aircraft considering the exterior hinge holes and hatch flange.

This picture shows what looks like a hatch panel on the inside of the bombsight window.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sturla/4248772124/in/set-72157622911515571/lightbox/

FarlamAirframes · **Posted:** Sat Mar 30, 2013 5:22 am

Thank you Mike.

In Catalina in detail - the Navigators hatch hinges down and inwards from the Port side.

So not that one - unless it was a specific model variation.

BAJ · **Joined:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:14 pm **Posts:** 126

Based on our restoration experience here at HARS on our PBY 6A this is a custom one off access hatch which opens outward. Quite a bit bigger than the stock navigators roof hatch which as discussed already opens inward.

Given its a custom design and large water sealing flange could it have some thing to do with the enlarger new rear access stairway way where the smaller tapered rear tunnel access hatch was?

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Consolidated-PBY-5A-Catalina/1139886/&sid=e44865798bfebe234d2d9f43d2f8be8d
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fnqvmuch · **Joined:** Thu May 13, 2010 7:01 pm **Posts:** 64

BAJ wrote:

the smaller tapered rear tunnel access hatch ...

ie;
http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/a2ad7bd59ef90bad_large

David Legg · **Joined:** Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:07 pm **Posts:** 338

FarlamAirframes wrote:

Can anyone tell me where on the PB-Y it was situated ?

I can answer this one for you. This is the bow hatch that was on top of the post-war clipper bow on this particular PBY-5A Catalina (as you say, ex-BuNo 46633). It hinged forward i.e.: away from the cockpit and towards the extreme bow and was used when mooring on water so that the crew member could exit the bow and stand on the mooring platform on the side of the bow. The hinge mounts can be seen in the photo showing the top (white) surface of the hatch. The hatch was released by using the handle that freed the eight-point locking rods as seen in the photo of the inside (green) surface of the hatch. The bow hatch design varies on clipper-bow Catalinas - for example, the former Canso A G-PBYA now operated by Plane Sailing Air Displays Ltd has a circular hatch with four individual locks that, when they are released, drops down into the former bombardier's compartment and is stowed out of the way before the mooring crew members exists the hull. Although I never moored BuNo 46633, I have moored G-PBYA quite a few times and although I like the single operation unlocking handle of the former, I prefer to have the hatch right out of the way when mooring as on G-PBYA.

I am about to send you a PM by the way so look out for it.

FarlamAirframes · **Posted:** Sat Mar 30, 2013 9:48 am

David - Thank You very much.

FarlamAirframes · **Posted:** Sat Mar 30, 2013 10:28 am

Just for completeness - the only other piece of PB-Y/Catalina that I have is this stainless steel part- which I assume is the top engine cover.

It was recovered by us a couple of years ago from a wartime disposal site - along with other warbird parts - P51, B17, B25, T6, Anson and Miles Magister..

Mostly stainless steel parts that were thrown into the local civil disposal site.

The paint remains suggested it was an RAF Coastal Command Bird.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

BAJ · **Joined:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:14 pm **Posts:** 126

David Legg wrote:

FarlamAirframes wrote:

Can anyone tell me where on the PB-Y it was situated ?

I can answer this one for you. This is the bow hatch that was on top of the post-war clipper bow on this particular PBY-5A Catalina (as you say, ex-BuNo 46633). It hinged forward i.e.: away from the cockpit and towards the extreme bow and was used when mooring on water so that the crew member could exit the bow and stand on the mooring platform on the side of the bow. The hinge mounts can be seen in the photo showing the top (white) surface of the hatch. The hatch was released by using the handle that freed the eight-point locking rods as seen in the photo of the inside (green) surface of the hatch. The bow hatch design varies on clipper-bow Catalinas - for example, the former Canso A G-PBYA now operated by Plane Sailing Air Displays Ltd has a circular hatch with four individual locks that, when they are released, drops down into the former bombardier's compartment and is stowed out of the way before the mooring crew members exists the hull. Although I never moored BuNo 46633, I have moored G-PBYA quite a few times and although I like the single operation unlocking handle of the former, I prefer to have the hatch right out of the way when mooring as on G-PBYA.

I am about to send you a PM by the way so look out for it.

As always David a 1st class response...heres a photo of C-BLSC during maintenance with the nose hatch open

http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Air-Force/Consolidated-PBY-5A-Catalina-%2828%29/1017322/M/&sid=3e18d47de50bb8c1ec1c709df73ba952
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David Legg · **Joined:** Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:07 pm **Posts:** 338

Wow, that takes me back!

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