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PBY
PBY (Catalina/ Canso)
They said my days were numbered—before the big war came—
“Size and speed—not sufficient-- for ‘today’”—
But when our battleships went down- was the only act in town—
That could keep an eye on things— come what may!
I was no beauty winner with my high placed big long wing—
My hull lines left lots to be desired—
Pylon that joined the two-- (at one time something new)—
By now looked less-- than something thought inspired.
Eighteen thirty Pratts—extending from my wing—
Twin props spinning above the spray—
Aft blisters along each side where machine guns can be plied—
Sponsons are my wing tips—in a way.
My cruising speed was always kind of slow--
Range was the why--of the why I’m here
With the gas I had aboard—(a really hefty hoard)—
Could spend almost a day—way up there.
I was somewhat battle proven before the U.S. war began—
(British had tried me out-- sometime before)—
The German “Bismark”-seen from me when it had tried to flee-
From the Royal Navy’s “even-ing” of a score’.
The “B” in ‘PBY’ says I’m a “bomber”—
My crews made sure this name was really true—
Bombs and depth charges were the things to hang beneath my wings—
(Sometimes an old torpedo hung there too).
Radar—gave me vision in the starlight--
Which meant I fly patrols--- up in the dark--
With black paint on my skin, could most times get close in—
Enemy nighttime shipping was my mark.
'Tis easy to be seen that I’m not a beauty queen--
But as I plied the oceans in my search
To someone on a raft--- was no comelier craft—
This big old boat left damned few in the lurch.
U boats were wary of my shape—
Knew well the damage I could do—
With convoys down below, I lumbered low and slow-
Seeking wakes that periscopes can brew.
The plan that said my type should soon retire—
Was abandoned and my numbers really grew—
With my change to a Dash five my options came alive—
Suffix “A’s” had wheels for airport landings too.
So I made it through the war the whole world over—
Not required to merely “fade away”—
Flew with the PBM-- went to “reserves” and then—
Fire-fighter—transport-- yacht-- in later day.
As airplanes came and went, I was almost heaven sent—
Blessed with serendipitous design –
Did what I was built for-- and the many things and more—
That constitute a legacy this fine.
Bill Woodall
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