1:144 Scale Diecast Metal - Consolidated PBY Catalina - John S. McCain; Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific Force; Henderson Field, Guadalcanal Island; U.S. Navy; 1942 - Length: 5.5" Wingspan: 8.5? This model is already assembled and painted. The landing gear is fixed in the "out" position. The model is "tail heavy" meaning that it will tip over in "nose up" position if put over the landing gear. This is not a toy. Recommended for 15 and older. The Consolidated Model 28, more commonly known as the PBY Catalina (US Navy designation), is a flying boat and amphibious aircraft designed by Consolidated Aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s. In US Army service it was designated the OA-10, in Canadian service as the Canso and it later received the NATO reporting name Mop.[4] It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II. Catalinas served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other nations. The last military PBYs served until the 1980s. As of 2021, 86 years after its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as a waterbomber (or airtanker) in aerial firefighting operations in some parts of the world.