In article ,
Rolf Blom wrote:

http://www.sa-transport.co.za/aircra...by-5a_ra98.JPG

This is a PBY-5A. You can see the outline of the nosewheel door. That
large circle on the side of the fuselage is where the mainwheel retracts
into. The aircraft that used beaching gear did not have the opening for
the mainwheel. Go here for a pic of a PBY on beaching gear:
http://www.pbycat.org/mainp.htm