Aircraft History
Constructors Number 164. Delivered by Qantas as VH-AFF on June 17, 1941. Assigned to 11 Squadron on July 27, 1941. Next assigned to 20 Squadron August 14, 1941.

Wartime History
This Catalina began flying missions out of Fairfax Harbor at Port Moresby.

On the night of February 3, 1942, this Catalina piloted by F/L Hemsworth and co-pilot Sgt C W Miller. One of five Catalinas (this aircraft, A24-3, A24-18, A24-14, A24-17) that participated in a night raid against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. This Catalina was attacked by A5M4 Claudes of the Chitose Kokutai (operating in tandem with the searchlight crews) over the target, and damaged, possibly by FPO/1C Hiroyoshi Nishizawa and claimed a Catalina that night. All bombs were jettisoned and the aircraft attempted to gain cover of clouds. Both port and starboard fuel tanks were holed and a burst was received in the oil tank which severed an oil line. The aircraft escaped and proceeded to Salamaua where a forced landing was made at 1700Z/3. Repairs were attempted and the aircraft then departed on on one engine at 2341Z/3 and landed at Fairfax Harbor at 0700Z/4 the next day.

On April 24, 1942, while moored at the Qantas Flying Boat Base at Fairfax Harbor near Port Moresby, this Catalina was strafed by A6M2 Zeros of the Tainan Kokutai and sunk at its moorings.

Wreckage
Post war, the hulk of this PBY was visible south of the seaplane launch ramp. It remained until 1967 when the Australian Defense force demolished the wreckage, believing that it might contain anti-personnel mines. Australian Navy divers placed demolition charges and blew the wreckage into smaller pieces.

Some wreckage still remained, including a machine gun that was located by diver Bob Halstead in the late 1970s. In August 1978, the area was dredged, and remaining wreckage was removed or buried.

Display
During dredging, one engine with its propeller attached was salvaged, and taken to the PNG War Museum, where it is displayed next to museum's indoor gallery entrance, and remains to this day.

References
Wrecks & Reefs page 139 - 140
11 Squadron diary for February 3, 1942
ADF Serials for aircraft history

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

Last Updated
October 6, 2009

PBY

Photo Archive