The List of Consolidated PBY Catalina operators lists the countries and their naval aviation and air force units that have operated the aircraft: Military operators Argentina Argentine Naval Aviation 17 "Canso" received 1946-48 Australia The Royal Australian Air Force operated the PBY Catalina extensively. The Royal Australian Air Force ordered its first 18 PBY-5s (named Catalina) in 1940, around the same time as French purchase. Some of these would be used to re-establish the British-Australian airlink through Asia as the Double Sunrise. By the end of the war the RAAF had taken delivery of 168 Catalinas. The RAAF used Catalinas in a wide range of roles including reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrols, offensive mine-laying and air-sea rescue, the deployment of folboats (collapsible canoes), notably the Hoehn MKIII military type for Commando raids. The rescue of personnel and closer visual observation, as well as psychological warfare. In addition, RAAF PBYs were used to transport Australian personnel home at the end of the war. The RAAF retired its last Catalina in 1952. Royal Australian Air Force No. 11 Squadron RAAF No. 20 Squadron RAAF observation No. 40 Squadron RAAF had aircraft placed on establishment, but not actually issued. No. 42 Squadron RAAF No. 43 Squadron RAAF No. 6 Communication Unit RAAF No. 8 Communication Unit RAAF No. 111 Air-Sea Rescue Flight RAAF No. 112 Air-Sea Rescue Flight RAAF No. 113 Air-Sea Rescue Flight RAAF Seaplane Training Flight RAAF No. 3 Operational Training Unit RAAF Search and Rescue Wing RAAF Brazil 1st Air Transport Squadron (ETA-1) Canada Canada had its own close associations with the PBY, both as a manufacturer and customer. Under an agreement reached between the Canadian and U.S. governments, production lines were laid down in Canada, by Boeing Aircraft of Canada (as the PB2B-1) in Vancouver, and by Canadian Vickers (PBV-1) at the Canadair plant in Cartierville. Canadian manufactured aircraft serving with the RCAF were known as Canso A, and were equivalent to PBY-5A (with retractable landing gear). Eleven Canadian Home War Establishment squadrons flew Cansos and Lend Lease Catalinas and on both sides of the North Atlantic and on the Pacific West Coast of Canada. Two "overseas" squadrons flew from the British Isles, as well as over the Indian Ocean. Royal Canadian Air Force Article XV squadrons serving under direct command and control of the RAF, with RAF owned aircraft. No. 413 Squadron RCAF Catalina I/IB/IV (Jul 41 - Dec