US Star Pacific Wrecks Your donation today supports the next 15 years

All Donations are100% tax deductible

$
Main Menu
Search
Forum
Reviews
People
Help
  PBY Catalina Serial Number A24-20  
RAAF
20 Squadron

Captain  S/L Geoff Hemsworth
2nd Pilot  Sgt Jack Coulter
Navigator  F/O Leo McClintock
Engineer  Clp Col Marsden
Asst Engineer  LAC Ken Arnott
Radio  LAC Norman Banville
Asst Radio
 Sgt Jack Bandy
Rigger  LAC Eric Dorman
Armor  LAC Erwin Brown

Shot Down  May 6, 1942

Pilot History
Hemsworth had flown a raid over Rabaul on the night of February 3-4 and his Catalina was heavily damaged—possibly by FPO/1C Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, who was flying a A5M4 Claude (a few of them teamed up with the searchlight crews) and claimed a Catalina that night. Hemsworth did an amazing job of getting the plane back to Port Moresby on one engine. The total event lasted more than 24 hours including a night water landing off Salamaua.

Aircraft History
Constructors Number 386. RCAF Serial Number 9735. Delivered March 10, 1942. 20 Sqn April 4, 1942.

Mission History
Reported they had spotted two destroyers, and were attacked by enemy aircraft. Shot down off Misima Island on a daylight reconnaissance mission, no survivors, listed as MIA.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 6, 2009

 

Technical InfoPBY

MIAMIA

Map
S 10 40
E 152 29

Pacific Wreck Database
Pacific Wrecks Incorporated is a non-profit charity 501(c)(3)  Donate Now
© 1995-2009
All rights reserved
Bookmark and Share