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The PBY was the most numerous aircraft of its kind, with around 3,300 aircraft built. During World War II, PBYs were used in anti-submarine warfare, patrol bombing, convoy escort, search and rescue missions (especially air-sea rescue), and cargo transport. The type operated in nearly all operational theatres of World War II.
Black Cat was the only casualty. It was struck by a shell on the left wing causing the aircraft to crash. Ten of the crew were killed including the pilot, Richard Farrington. The tail gunner, Albert Seraydarian, and the bombardier, Chris Manners, survived and were liberated from German POW camps within a few weeks. [5]
VP-33 Pre-deployment for WW2. VP-33 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy.The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 12-F (VP-12F) on 1 November 1935, redesignated Patrol Squadron 12 (VP-12) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 51 (VP-51) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 71 (VP-71) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 71 (VPB-71) on 1 October 1944 ...
24 Feb 1944: U-761 was detected by PBY-5 Catalinas of VP-63 during an attempt to pass through the Straits of Gibraltar. The two VP-63 PBYs, piloted by Lieutenants Howard Baker and T. R. Woolley, used their MAD gear to detect, track and assist in the sinking of U-761 , Oberleutnant Horst Geider commanding.
Each of the squadrons was equipped with PBY Catalina flying boats, nicknamed "Black Cats"; No. 20 had been based in Cairns with No. 76 Wing headquarters, No. 42 had just been formed at Darwin in August, while No. 43 had been operating out of Darwin since March. Minelaying missions carried out by the RAAF over the past year had been credited ...
15 November 1942 – 12 February 1943: VP-54 was established at NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, as a seaplane squadron flying the PBY-5A Catalina under the operational control of FAW-2. Formation and training of the squadron continued through 11 February 1943.
Originally designed by Consolidated Aircraft as a patrol bomber with a long operational range, the PBY was soon adapted to fill a multitude of roles. [7] With war planners becoming increasingly conscious to the possibility of a future conflict in the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. Navy invested millions of dollars in the 1930s into developing flying boats.
By 6 November 1944, the squadron once again commenced its hallmark Black Cat operations, alternating with daytime air-sea rescue and evacuation missions. 3 December 1944: At 00:13 USS Cooper was struck by a torpedo while engaging Japanese surface craft and barges in the waters of Ormoc Bay, Leyte, Philippines. The ship broke in two and sank in ...