With its distinctive design, the PBY Catalina flying boats soared through World War II and into history as one of the most resourceful aircraft ever flown. Other books concentrate on the Catalina's wartime feats, but this is the first full account of the PBY's colorful operational history outside of the war. Catalina expert David Legg offers an exhaustive country-by-country survey of both the military and commercial uses of this adaptable aircraft with detailed listings of their registration, type, place of manufacture, and construction numbers. Intriguing historical notes on an individual aircraft's adventures while fighting fires, performing survey work, and flying in support of Cold War communications networks, round out the volume. Everyone interested in flying boats will find the details of this work not only informative, but entertaining as well.