07/03/2005. Remarks by John Voss: "Originally built as a PB2Y-3 this aircraft was upgraded to a -5R and became a flag transport for high level staff in the Pacific theater of WW II. As an attempt to reduce internal cabin noise some of the transport variants were fitted with four bladed propellers on the inboard engines.
Howard Hughes purchased it as
surplus, registered NR69003, following WW II for the
purpose of providing a 'training aircraft' in preparation for the
flight of his Hercules Flying Boat (also known as 'The Spruce Goose'). After
the sole flight of the Hercules this Coronado languished on the
seaplane ramp at Terminal Island, California, USA, until the 1970s when it
was acquired by the Navy. It is on exhibit at the Museum of Naval
Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.
7099 is the only survivor of the 219
manufactured. Hard to believe but the US Navy mismarked the aircraft. The
aircraft is identifed as a "PB2Y-5R" which were made in 1944-45
yet it has 1942 insignias!"