How long did Catalina convoy escort flights to the USSR…

How long did Catalina convoy escort flights to the USSR last?

Short answer

Many of the Catalina flights protecting convoys to the Soviet Union lasted between 15 and 20 hours and ended at Gryaznaya Bay (Murmansk) or at Arkhangelsk. Almost all 650 Coastal Command Catalina sorties were anti-submarine patrols.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How long did Catalina convoy escort flights to the USSR last?

Consolidated PBY Catalina landing at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida (USA), circa in 1943

Between 15 and 20 hours in the air

Many flights, lasting 15 to 20 hours, ended at Gryaznaya Bay (Murmansk) or at Arkhangelsk and served to protect convoys bound for the Soviet Union. The Catalina typically cruised at 110 kn (130 mph; 200 km/h). Almost all of the 650 Catalina sorties flown by Coastal Command were dedicated to anti-submarine patrols. The aircraft's low speed often allowed a detected submarine to dive to safety.

A mass-produced flying boat

The XP3Y-1 made its first flight on March 21, 1935. A total of 3,308 aircraft were built: 2,661 American, 620 Canadian, and 27 Soviet. Of the 156 PBN-1s produced, 138 served with the Soviet Navy.

Tracking the Bismarck

An RAF Coastal Command Catalina flying from the Castle Archdale flying boat base located the German battleship Bismarck on May 26, 1941. That Catalina radioed the battleship's position and tracked it until another Catalina from No. 240 Squadron took over and guided the British fleet to the German ship's location.