The iconic flying boat that helped hunt down Axis warships during World War II is getting a new lease on life

• The PBY Catalina flying boat was one of the most iconic Allied aircraft of World War II.
• PBY Catalinas were used to patrol coastlines, hunt enemy warships, and rescue sailors and aircrews.
• Now a company plans to build an updated version of the Catalina for civilian and military customers.

To a downed Allied pilot floating on a raft, they were lifesavers. To German and Japanese submarines, they were a menace.