As quoted from Squadron/Signal Publications, "In Action books, despite the title of the genre, are books that trace the development of a single type of aircraft, armored vehicle, or ship from the prototype to the final production variant. Experimental or "one-off" variants can also be included. Our first In Action book was printed in 1971.”

Author David Doyle has come through with another wonderfully written book. This time he takes on the Consolidated PBY "Catalina." This aircraft was not always known as the "Catalina," in fact it started off as Consolidated Model 28 in 1932. It wasn't until 1940 when the British received the PBY-5 that the name “Catalina” came about.

The book starts off with an introduction that covers the history, variations and manufacturers of the “Catalina.” It then proceeds into the different variations. Each variation is covered over several pages. They start with the XPBY-1 and go all the way through the PBY-6A / OA-10B. Within the pages are vintage photographs that can be of just the aircraft, or of specific details to that version. Along with each photograph is a well written descriptive caption.

This book is just another great reference tool, and I recommend this book to anybody that is a fan or modeler of flying boats.

I would like to thank MMD-Squadron and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to do the review on this book.