Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated. Delivered to the U. S. Navy (USN). Assigned to VP-23. Prewar, this Catalina was based at NAS Pearl Harbor (Ford Island Seaplane Base).

Wartime History
On December 7, 1941 this Catalina was at NAS Pearl Harbor (Ford Island Seaplane Base) during the Japanese surprise attack against Pearl Harbor and Oahu and did receive some damage and was not used in the immediate aftermath of the raid.

Afterwards, flown overseas across the Pacific to Australia. Assigned to VP-101. No known nickname or nose art. During the middle of August 1943, Catalinas from VP-101 were tasked to provide air cover for ship movements between Australia and Port Moresby and operated from the Port Moresby Seaplane Base near Port Moresby.

Mission History
On August 16, 1943 took off on a rescue mission. Roughly 130 miles northwest of Port Moresby, this Catalina hit a wave while landing and sank before it could be beached. No salvage was possible. Afterwards, stricken from charge (SOC).

References
War Diary VP-101 - Important Orders Received and decisions reached (cont'd): August 13, 1943, August 16, 1943
Thanks to Edward Rogers, Jim Sawruk and Mike Wenger for additional information

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Last Updated
October 23, 2019