LowCommand
Posts: 138
Joined: 8/14/2002 From: VA Status: offline
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Treasure the 5, the pure flying boat, it has slightly longer range (20 hexes vs 17 - it was about 1,000 lighter) and was better for open sea landings. The landing gear doors in the 5A had a tendency to get smashed in a rough water ( open sea ) landing causing it to sink. The crews were bitter about that. The 5A and later versions have more and better guns - working up to some armor and self sealing fuel tanks. Those versions are better near combat, the 5 and Catalina I is better for pure search and ASW. There range is king.
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"Mines reported in the fairway, "Warn all traffic and detain, "'Sent up Unity, Cralibel, Assyrian, Stormcock, and Golden Gain."
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