ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History
RAAF A24 Consolidated Catalina
| RAAF.Serial | Type | C/N | Previous Serial(s) |
Aircraft History |
| A24-1 | PBY-5 | 27 | AH534 | Model 28-5ME
(Military England) The first Catalina for Australia was to be built under contract AUS-58 at the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation's factory in San Diego. However it would not be ready for flight delivery until the 10th of February 1941. Meanwhile similar aircraft for the British were being produced faster than they could cope with. It was eventually agreed that one of the British aircraft would be handed to Australia in exchange for the second Australian aircraft built under AUS-58. The British aircraft handed over to Australia was AH534 and was part of the original French contract F-210 which was taken over by the British after the surrender of France to Germany. This meant that the first Australia Catalina built under contract AUS-58 would be delivered to Australia as originally planned, but the second Catalina from AUS-58 would be delivered to the British in exchange for AH534. In order to satisfy the Neutrality Act of the United States the Catalinas, after acceptance at San Diego, would be flown by Consolidated crews from San Diego to Honolulu at which point legal title would pass to the Commonwealth of Australia. Civilian crews arranged by Qantas Empire Airways would then deliver the Cats to Australia using civilian call signs. 25/01/41 Departed San Diego. 02/02/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "A" under civilian call sign VH-AFA. 04/02/41 Arrived Rathmines as A24-1. 05/02/41 STF (Seaplane Training Flight). 19/03/41 11 Squadron. 14/08/41 20 Squadron. 13/12/41 11 Squadron. 04/04/43 3 0TU (Operational Training Unit). 30/08/45 Crashed East Arm, Darwin. During take off the aircraft became airborne but owing to insufficient flying speed struck the water several times, bouncing severely on each occasion. It finally came to rest adjacent to the mangroves on the south eastern portion of East Arm where it sank due to a damaged hull. No personnel were injured. 18/10/45 Conversion.  |
| A24-2 | PBY-5 | 40 | A24-1 | Model 28-5MA
(Military Australia) Principal difference between Model 5-28MA and 5-28ME was that the later had two radios instead of the former's one. This is the first Catalina built under contract AUS-58 and was factory marked as A24-1 but after delivery to Australia it was assigned the serial A24-2. 12/02/41 Departed San Diego (was to leave on 09/02/41 but delayed due to adverse weather). 27/02/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "B" under civilian call sign VH-AFB. 01/03/41 Arrived Rathmines as A24-2. 12/03/41 STF (Seaplane Training Flight). 13/05/41 11 Squadron. 14/08/41 20 Squadron Coded RB-Z. 08/06/42 STF (Seaplane Training Flight). 30/08/42 11 Squadron. Coded FJ-B 03/43. 14/04/43 3 OTU. 08/12/47 Sold to J. Botterill & J. W. Fraser. Meanwhile the factory marked A24-2 Catalina (C/N 57), the second Catalina built under AUS-58 contract, was transferred to the RAF as a replacement for AH534 (refer to A24-1 history). After arrival to the UK it was assigned to the MAEE (Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment) at Helensburgh, Scotland to become the test aircraft for the prototype LRASV (Long Range Air to Surface Vessel) radar. It was eventually assigned RAF serial DP202. DP202 was then allocated to No 210 Squadron and coded DA-G for operational trials. DP202 returned to San Diego as a demonstration aircraft to exhibit its new radar ability before being loaned to the RCAF whilst retaining its original RAF serial and then to the NEI with the Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service otherwise known as the MLD (Marine Luchtvaartdienst) with serial P200.  |
| A24-3 | PBY-5 | 78 | Model 28-5MA 05/04/41 Departed San Diego. 12/04/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "D" under civilian call sign VH-AFD. 16/04/41 Arrived Rathmines. 30/05/41 11 Squadron. 14/05/41 20 Squadron. 08/01/42 STF (Seaplane Training Flight). 19/01/42 11 Squadron. 28/02/42 Lost by enemy action. Six Japanese Zeros made a strafing attack on Catalinas moored at Nappa Nappa, Port Moresby. Three Catalinas lost (A24-3, A24-6 and A24-7). One of the ground staff LAC Roderick John Nancarrow [27601] (Electrician) was working on one of the Catalinas (believed to be A24-3) at the time of the attack and was subsequently killed. Qantas delivery flight "C" didn't deliver a Catalina for service into the RAAF. Instead it was responsible for delivering British Catalina AH540 under civilian call sign VH-AFC to the RAF. This flight departed San Diego 04/03/41. Arrived Rose Bay 12/03/41. RAAF Crew then took over AH540. Departed Rose Bay 20/03/41. Arrived Sourabaya 23/03/41. Arrived Seletar, Singapore 23/03/41. Taken on strength RAF 205 Squadron. RAAF delivery crew stayed at Seletar until 04/05/41 to give instruction. |
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| A24-4 | PBY-5 | 113 | Model 28-5MA 30/04/41 Departed San Diego. 05/05/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "E" under civilian call sign VH-AFE. 06/05/41 Arrived Rathmines. 22/06/41 11 Squadron Coded OX-D. 14/08/41 20 Squadron. 31/01/42 STF (Seaplane Training Flight). 03/04/42 20 Squadron Coded RB-X. 09/07/42 20 Squadron. 15/09/43 3 OTU. 30/10/46 Sold to Kingsford-Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW. |
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| A24-5 | PBY-5 | 164 | Model 28-5MA 09/06/41 Departed San Diego. 06/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "F" under civilian call sign VH-AFF. 17/06/41 Arrived Rathmines. 27/07/41 11 Squadron. 14/08/41 20 Squadron. 03/02/42 Damaged by enemy action. During an attack on Japanese vessels in Rabaul Harbour A24-5 was attacked by enemy fighters whilst on run up to the target. In order to escape, all bombs were jettisoned and the aircraft attempted to gain cover of cloud area. Both port and starboard fuel tanks were holed and a burst was received in the oil tank which also severed an oil line. The aircraft escaped and proceeded to Salamaua where a forced landing was made. After repairs the aircraft proceeded to Port Moresby on one engine. 12/04/42 11 Squadron. 24/04/42 Destroyed by enemy action. During enemy action in which P-40 Kittyhawk aircraft engaged Zero fighters over Port Moresby Harbour, Catalina A24-5 was destroyed by fire at its moorings by a Zero Fighter with one burst of gun fire. |
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| A24-6 | PBY-5 | 189 | Model 28-5MA 28/06/41 Departed San Diego. 05/07/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "G" under civilian call sign VH-AFG. 07/07/41 Arrived Rathmines. 07/08/41 11 Squadron. 14/08/41 20 Squadron. 06/09/41 STF (Seaplane Training Flight). 17/01/42 11 Squadron. 28/02/42 Lost by enemy action. Six Japanese Zeros made a strafing attack on Catalinas moored at Nappa Nappa, Port Moresby. Three Catalinas lost (A24-3, A24-6 and A24-7). One of the ground staff LAC Roderick John Nancarrow [27601] (Electrician) was working on one of the Catalinas (believed to be A24-3) at the time of the attack and was subsequently killed. |
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| A24-7 | PBY-5 | 218 | Model 28-5MA 12/07/41 Departed San Diego. 21/07/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "H" under civilian call sign VH-AFH. 24/07/41 Arrived Rathmines. 08/09/41 20 Squadron. 28/02/42 Lost by enemy action. Six Japanese Zeros made a strafing attack on Catalinas moored at Nappa Nappa, Port Moresby. Three Catalinas lost (A24-3, A24-6 and A24-7). One of the ground staff LAC Roderick John Nancarrow [27601] (Electrician) was working on one of the Catalinas (believed to be A24-3) at the time of the attack and was subsequently killed. Afterwards A24-7 was towed to shore and the engines and some parts were recovered.  |
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| A24-8 | PBY-5 | 250 | Model 28-5MA 10/08/41 Departed San Diego. 16/08/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "I" under civilian call sign VH-AFI. 18/08/41 Arrived Rathmines. 11/09/41 20 Squadron. 21/01/42 Shot Down. A24-8 departed Gizo in the Solomon Islands to perform reconnaissance of an area North West of Kavieng, New Ireland for a Japanese naval force. The aircraft was then ordered to proceeded to Lorengau, New Guinea. Soon afterwards it reported that four cruisers were in position 03°09'S 149°51'E (South West of Kavieng) and that it was being attacked by anti-aircraft fire. A24-8 was ordered to shadow the fleet. Zeros took off from one of the carriers in the fleet and eventually found and shot down A24-8. As a result the following three crew members were killed:
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| A24-9 | PBY-5 | 259 | Model 28-5MA 18/08/41 Departed San Diego. 26/08/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "J" under civilian call sign VH-AFJ. 28/08/41 Arrived Rathmines. 04/10/41 11 Squadron. 21/01/42 Shot Down. A24-9 departed Port Morseby to perform reconnaissance up to Salamaua, New Guinea. The aircraft reported being attacked by a number of enemy aircraft North East of Lae and then later reported being on fire. The aircraft crashed off the coast near Yambo Village, East of Lae, New Guinea. The following eight crew members were killed:
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| A24-10 | PBY-5 | 270 | Model 28-5MA 18/08/41 Departed San Diego. 09/09/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "K" under civilian call sign VH-AFK. 09/09/41 Arrived Rathmines. 20/10/41 11 Squadron. 09/07/42 20 Squadron. 06/04/43 3 OTU. 08/12/47 Sold to J. Botterill & J. Fraser, Melbourne VIC. 25/05/48 Sold to R. Cobley, Melbourne VIC. Registered as VH-BEF. ??/12/48 Sold to E. Daniels, Singapore. ??/??/50 Sold to A. Taylor, Lake Boga VIC and eventually broken up.  |
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| A24-11 | PBY-5 | 279 | Model 28-5MA 26/08/41 Departed San Diego 09/09/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "L" under civilian call sign VH-AFL 09/09/41 Arrived Rathmines 26/10/41 Served with 11 Squadron - Coded J. 15/01/42 Crashed on takeoff. On takeoff at Kavieng Harbour, New Ireland A24-11 struck the open seas and encountered a heavy swell before flying speed was attained. After bouncing a number of times the aircraft broke its back and then sank. All crew members were killed:
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| A24-12 | PBY-5 | 299 | Model 28-5MA 02/09/41 Departed San Diego. 22/09/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "M" under civilian call sign VH-AFM. ??/09/41 Arrived Rathmines. 29/10/41 11 Squadron. 18/03/42 20 Squadron. 04/05/42 11 Squadron. 18/07/42 20 Squadron. 15/09/42 Destroyed in a storm. An exceptionally severe wind storm was experienced at Rathmines with one gust reaching over 82 miles per hour. A24-12, less engines, was totally destroyed and minor damage was sustained by other aircraft. |
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| A24-13 | PBY-5 | 307 | Model 28-5MA 10/09/41 Departed San Diego. 22/09/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "N" under civilian call sign VH-AFN. ??/09/41 Arrived Rathmines. 16/11/41 11 Squadron. 24/02/42 Missing. A24-13 took off from Port Moresby on an operational flight to attack aerodromes at Rabaul, New Guinea with two other Catalinas (A24-2 and A24-17) but failed to return. The entire crew was presumed killed:
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| A24-14 | PBY-5 | 313 | Model 28-5MA 27/09/41 Departed San Diego. 07/10/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "O" under civilian call sign VH-AFO. 08/10/41 Arrived Rathmines. 01/12/41 20 Squadron. 07/04/42 11 Squadron. Coded FJ-D 03/43. 14/06/44 3 OTU. 03/10/46 Sold to Kingsford-Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW.  |
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| A24-15 | PBY-5 | 322 | Model 28-5MA 27/09/41 Departed San Diego. 07/10/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "P" under civilian call sign VH-AFP. 08/10/41 Arrived Rathmines. 08/12/41 11 Squadron. 08/12/41 Crashed after takeoff. A24-15 took off from Port Moresby for a reconnaissance in the vicinity of Thursday Island. It crashed into the hillside of Hanudamava Island, Port Moresby two minutes after take off and burned. The aircraft was a complete loss and all the crew were killed:
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| A24-16 | PBY-5 | 332 | Model 28-5MA 02/10/41 Departed San Diego. 07/10/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "Q" under civilian call sign VH-AFQ. 08/10/41 Arrived Rathmines. 06/12/41 11 Squadron. 11/03/42 20 Squadron. 21/05/42 11 Squadron. 22/08/42 20 Squadron. 21/02/43 3 OTU. 10/04/43 Water looped on landing, Rathmines. 15/06/43 Conversion. |
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| A24-17 | PBY-5 | 342 | Model 28-5MA 09/10/41 Departed San Diego. 21/10/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "R" under civilian call sign VH-AFR. 22/10/41 Arrived Rathmines. 03/01/42 20 Squadron. 27/06/42 Attacked by US Navy aircraft. A24-17, piloted by FO Robert 'Mike' Seymour [406062], was returning to Havannah Harbour, Vanuatu after a combat mission the previous night. The plane was attacked by a USN Grumman Wildcat after mistaking the red roundel in the insignia on the top of the wing for that of the Japanese. There were no personnel casualties. A24-17 was given emergency repair at Havannah and then flew to Noumea where it was hoisted on board USN seaplane tender USS Curtiss and repaired. Following this incident the red roundel was deleted from the aircraft insignia of the RAAF and replaced by a white roundel. 09/07/42 11 Squadron. 29/03/43 3 OTU Coded H. 04/12/45 Converted to components.  |
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| A24-18 | PBY-5 | 350 | Model 28-5MA The last Catalina delivered by civilian crews from Qantas Empire Airways. 16/10/41 Departed San Diego. 22/10/41 Arrived Rose Bay via Qantas delivery flight "S" under civilian call sign VH-AFS. 23/10/41 Arrived Rathmines. 30/01/42 11 Squadron. 03/04/42 20 Squadron. 04/05/42 Shot Down. A24-18 took off from Port Moresby to carry out a daylight reconnaissance in the Solomon Islands area. A message was received that the aircraft was being attacked by enemy fighters at position 08°S 155°E (south-west of the Island of Bougainville in the Solomons). No further messages received. The crew were picked up by a Japanese vessel and taken to Matupi near Rabaul where they were executed on or after 04/11/42. Crew are now buried at the Bitapaka War Cemetery south of Rabaul on the Island of New Britain:
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| A24-19 | PBY-5 | 382 |
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Model 28-5MC
(Military Canada) In late October 1941 enquiries began regarding the acquisition of a further 9 Catalinas. The intent was to increase the establishment of the RAAF's two flying boat squadrons (Nos 11 & 20) from 4 active and 2 reserve to 6 active and 3 reserve aircraft plus additional aircraft for wastage. It was eventually decided that 9 Catalinas, sourced from a Canadian order with Consolidated under contract CAN-78, would be diverted to the RAAF via the RAF to fulfil the RAAF's needs. This was in part due to the RCAF repaying the supply of 9 Catalina previously loaned to them by the RAF and the threat of Australia recalling it's No 10 Squadron from Britain. These 9 Catalinas would become Catalinas A24-19 to A24-27. Canadian contract CAN-78 consisted of 36 Catalina flying boats (subsequently designated Canso by the RCAF) and 14 Catalina amphibians (subsequently designated Canso A) built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation at San Diego, plus major components for a further 55 Catalina amphibians to be completed by Boeing of Canada. The 36 Catalina flying boats were to be given RCAF serials 9701 to 9736, the 14 Catalina amphibians were to be given RCAF serials 9737 to 9750, while the 55 Boeing assembled Catalina amphibians were given RCAF serials 9751 to 9805. The RAF, in addition to the 9 Catalinas repayed by the RCAF, secured a further 20 Catalina flying boats leaving the RCAF with just 7 (9701, 9702, 9704 to 9707, 9709) Canso's from its original contract of 36. The 9 Catalinas destined for the RAAF were flight delivered by RAF Ferry Command crews via a Pacific ferry Route. Each Catalina was received from the preparation unit at Elizabeth City (North Carolina) and flew via Corpus Christi (Texas), Honolulu (Hawaii), Christmas Islands, Canton Island, Suva (Fiji), Noumea (New Caledonia) and then finally to Rathmines (NSW). 28/02/42 Departed Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 13/03/42 Arrived Rathmines, NSW. 06/04/42 20 Squadron. 30/04/42 A24-23 and A24-19 were damaged by Japanese dive bombers whilst on the water at Tulagi, Tulagi Island in the Solomons. A24-19 was only slightly damaged and repairs were made by the crew at Tulagi before flying to Rathmines for further repairs. A24-23 was unserviceable and on the night of 30/04/42 was towed to the village of Aola on the North East cost of Guadalcanal Island in the Solomons. On 07/05/42 A24-23 was blown up to prevent enemy capture. 29/07/42 STS (Seaplane Training Squadron) later known as No. 3 OTU. 03/10/46 Sold to Kingsford-Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW. Later broken up for parts. |
| A24-20 | PBY-5 | 386 |
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Model 28-5MC 28/02/42 Departed Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 14/03/42 Arrived Rathmines, NSW. 04/04/42 20 Squadron. 06/05/42 Shot down by enemy aircraft at position 10°40' S 152°29' E (three miles south of Cape Ebola on Misima Island, New Guinea) whilst attacking 2 Japanese destroyers during a reconnaissance of the area. This was an operation that formed part of the battle of the Coral Sea. Captured Japanese records show that a crew of nine members of an allied flying boat were picked up by the destroyer "Yubari" on 06/05/42 and then transferred to the transport "Matsue Maru" on the 07/05/42 which returned to Rabaul on the 09/05/42. Several POWs in Rabaul have confirmed that two members of the Australian Military Forces captured at sea and brought into the POW camp at Rabaul had reported the capture of an Australian Catalina crew. The two soldiers stated that the Catalina crew were brought to Rabaul on the same vessel and held in confinement. It is not known what became of the crew at Rabaul. The death of the crew were presumed, for official purposes, to have occurred on or after 07/05/42. The crew consisted of:
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| A24-21 | PBY-5 | 389 |
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Model 28-5MC 28/02/42 Departed Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 13/03/42 Arrived Rathmines, NSW. 07/04/42 20 Squadron. 18/05/42 Qantas. 09/07/42 11 Squadron. 30/03/43 20 Squadron. 20/04/43 20 Squadron Coded RB-Y. 23/06/43 107 Squadron for Special Duties. A24-21 together with A24-24 (No. 20 Squadron) and A24-38 (No. 11 Squadron) were attached to No 107 Squadron (Rathmines, NSW) to perform convoy duties and to search for enemy submarines off the East Coast of Australia. 10/08/43 3 OTU. 23/04/46 Storm damage, Rathmines. At 1730 local time severe hailstorms deluged the station causing damage to all aircraft and making unserviceable all but two. Damage caused was extensive and consisted of broken perspex and leading edges of nearly all the mainplanes and effectively holeing all fabric parts. This storm was not experienced in Toronto (NSW) which is less than one mile away across the lake. 01/04/48 Sold to Mr J. E. Wood, Rose Bay, NSW.  |
| A24-22 | PBY-5 | 285 |
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Model 28-5MC 11/03/42 Departed Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 23/03/42 Arrived Rathmines, NSW. 13/04/42 11 Squadron. 09/07/42 20 Squadron. 08/03/43 Aircraft lost approximately 30 miles south east of Gasmata, New Britain, while on a reconnaissance flight. The entire crew were presumed killed:
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| A24-23 | PBY-5 | 371 |
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Model 28-5MC 08/03/42 Departed Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 23/03/42 Arrived Rathmines, NSW. 20/04/42 11 Squadron. 30/04/42 A24-23 and A24-19 were damaged by Japanese dive bombers whilst on the water at Tulagi, Tulagi Island in the Solomons. A24-19 was only slightly damaged and repairs were made by the crew at Tulagi before flying to Rathmines for further repairs. A24-23 was unserviceable and on the night of 30/04/42 it was towed to the village of Aola on the North East cost of Guadalcanal Island in the Solomons. On 07/05/42 A24-23 was blown up to prevent enemy capture.  |
| A24-24 | PBY-5 | 380 |
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Model 28-5MC 08/03/42 Departed Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 23/03/42 Arrived Rathmines, NSW. 29/04/42 11 Squadron. 18/05/42 Qantas. 17/07/42 20 Squadron (but didn't departed until 20/07/42). Coded RB-X. 23/06/43 107 Squadron for Special Duties. A24-21 together with A24-24 (No. 20 Squadron) and A24-38 (No. 11 Squadron) were attached to No. 107 Squadron (Stationed at Rathmines, NSW) to perform Convoy Duties and search for enemy submarines of the East Coast of Australia. 23/07/43 20 Squadron. 17/08/43 A24-24 took off from Bowen, QLD on an air to sea gunnery training exercise. At the conclusion of firing practice the aircraft was making a run across the wave tops over a choppy sea and it is assumed that the port wing hit the water and the aircraft crashed into the sea and sank approximately 5 miles east of Bowen. Fourteen people were killed in total, this included six crew members:
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| A24-25 | PBY-5 | 273 |
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Model 28-5MC 17/03/42 Departed Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 08/04/42 Arrived Rathmines, NSW. 11/05/42 STF (Seaplane Training Flight). 18/05/42 11 Squadron. 28/02/43 Crashed at sea 56 kms south of Cairns QLD after returning from an anti-submarine escort. The escort was for a convoy in the Coral Sea bound for Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. The Court of Inquiry believed the crash was due to a lack of fuel. The crash site was first discovered by diver Kevin Coombs in 2013 and later confirmed by the RAAF in August 2015. All on board killed:
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| A24-26 | PBY-5 | 292 |
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Model 28-5MC 17/03/42 Departed Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 09/04/42 Arrived Rathmines, NSW. 09/07/42 11 Squadron Coded FJ-E. 15/09/43 3 OTU. 04/10/46 Sold to W. R. Carpenter & Co, Sydney NSW. 16/05/47 Sold to J. Botterill & Fraser, Melbourne VIC. Registered as VH-BDP. 24/05/48 Sold to R. Cobley who flew the Catalina in support of the Indonesian republic rebels in the Netherlands East Indies. Allegedly took part in gun and drug running. Coded RI-005. 29/12/48 Crashed and sank while attempting a single engine takeoff under gunfire from Dutch troops on the Djambi River, Djambi, Sumatra NEI. A replica of the original Catalina is on display at the Jambi's People Struggle Museum (Museum Perjuangan Rakyat Jambi), Sumatra, Indonesia. |
| A24-27 | PBY-5 | 316 |
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Model 28-5MC 31/03/42 Departed Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 14/04/42 Arrived Rathmines, NSW. 09/07/42 11 Squadron. 01/10/42 20 Squadron. Coded RB-W. 06/07/43 3 OTU. 07/07/43 Received by 107 Squadron but never served with 107 Squadron. Instead went 2 FBRD (Flying Boat Repair Depot) at Rathmines for engine change. 02/08/43 3 OTU. 03/10/46 Sold to Kingsford-Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW. |
| A24-28 | PBY-4 | 7 |
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One of only
two PBY-4's operated by the RAAF, the other being
A24-29, and one of only 4 Catalinas from Patrol Wing
10 to survive the withdrawal from the Philippines
and the Netherlands East Indies. 02/03/42 Abandoned by the USN at the port of Tjilatjap during the evacuation of Java and was subsequently struck off charge. The aircraft was with USN Patrol Squadron 101 (VP-101) of Patrol Wing 10 and coded "3". 06/03/42 Repaired by the evaccuating Dutch MLD and informally assigned the serial number Y-3. The Dutch flew it out of Tjilatjap with half a tank of fuel and a defective compass for Broome, WA. 07/03/42 Arrived in Broome, WA and obtained an anchor from one of the Catalina wrecks from the Japanese air raid on 3 March and a map so they could proceed to Perth, WA. 08/03/42 After stopping at Port Headland, WA for repairs and refueling they arrived at Perth, WA. The Dutch retained custody of the aircraft. At some point the Dutch crew departed Perth and flew the aircraft across southern Australia stopping at Albany (WA), Adelaide (SA) and Melbourne (VIC) before arriving at the Seaplane Training Squadron, Rathmines, NSW where they left the aircraft in the hands of the RAAF. 30/05/42 Approval given for A24-28 to be used for training purposes when serviceable as it was unsuitable for operations. 20/10/42 Received Seaplane Training Squadron (STS) which later became No. 3 Operational Training Unit (3OTU) in 12/42. Coded "C". 31/12/43 Received 11 Squadron. Coded FJ-L. 04/02/44 Received 2 FBRD for overhaul and significant modification. 03/08/44 Received 11 Squadron. 03/10/46 Sold to Kingsford-Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW.  |
| A24-29 | PBY-4 | 4 | BuNo 1216 | One of only
two PBY-4's operated by the RAAF, the other being
A24-28, and one of only 4 Catalinas from Patrol Wing
10 to survive the withdrawal from the Philippines
and the Netherlands East Indies. The aircraft was with USN Patrol Squadron 101 (VP-101) of Patrol Wing 10 and coded "5". After the withdrawal, USN Patrol Wing 10 relocated along the Swan River, Perth WA whereby it was reinforced with 12 new PBY-5's from USN Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21). The addition of 12 new PBY-5's lead to a reorganisation and "5" was renumbered to "15". 12/06/42 Departed Perth WA for Rathmines NSW, via Ceduna SA and Melbourne VIC. Plane to be turned over to RAAF. 15/06/42 Arrived at Rathmines. Allotted identification number A24-29. 20/06/42 Delivered to QANTAS, Rose Bay NSW, for overhaul. 10/11/42 Received Seaplane Training Squadron (STS) which later became No. 3 Operational Training Unit (3OTU) in 12/42. Coded "D" and later known as "The Flagship" as it was flown by the 3OTU CO. 03/10/46 Sold to Kingsford-Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW.  |
| A24-30 | PBY-5 | One of only
4 Catalinas from Patrol Wing 10 to survive the
withdrawal from the Philippines and the Netherlands
East Indies. This aircraft was a composite construction consisting the following two planes:
After the withdrawal from the Philippines and the Netherlands East Indies, USN Patrol Wing 10 relocated along the Swan River, Perth WA whereby it was reinforced with 12 new PBY-5's from USN Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21). The addition of 12 new PBY-5's lead to a reorganisation and "46" was renumbered to "14". 02/07/42 Departed for Rathmines NSW, via Ceduna SA, Melbourne VIC, and Sydney NSW. 04/07/42 Arrived in Sydney, NSW. 05/07/42 Received Rathmines, NSW. 07/07/42 Allotted RAAF serial number A24-30. 19/10/42 Received 20 Squadron. 27/02/43 Received 3 Operational Training Unit (OTU). Coded "E". The aircraft was deemed unsuitable for further operations. 03/10/46 Sold to Kingsford-Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW. Another composite Catalina bearing the serial A24-30 is located at the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum, near Swan Hill VIC.  |
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| A24-31 | PBY-5 | 1047 | Bu.08153 | 3 OTU
23/1/43. Sold to Australair Ltd. 5/11/47. |
| A24-32 | PBY-5 | 1050 | Bu.08156 | 3 OTU
27/1/43. 11 Sqn 6/2/43 FJ-F. Crashed in open sea rescue attempt 2/5/44. |
| A24-33 | PBY-5 | 1053 | Bu.08159 | 3 OTU
29/1/43. 20 Sqn 25/10/43 RB-S. 3 OTU 13/6/44. Damaged 28/6/45. Conversion. |
| A24-34 | PBY-5 | 1044 | Bu.08150 | 3 OTU
7/2/43. 20 Sqn 20/04/43 Coded RB-T. 20 Sqn 11/6/43 FJ-H. 11 Sqn 6/10/43. FTR Kavieng 7/2/44. |
| A24-35 | PBY-5 | 1055 | Bu.08161 | 20 Sqn
21/2/43. 20 Sqn 20/04/43 Coded RB-Y. Coded as RB-V. 11 Sqn 12/9/43 FJ-A. 43 Sqn 21/1/44 OX-L. 11 Sqn 2/8/44. 20 Sqn 4/10/45. Sold to Barrier Reef Airways 10/11/47.
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| A24-36 | PBY-5 | 1084 | Bu.08190 | 11 Sqn
21/2/43 FJ-G. Crashed 13/04/43, Cairns Harbour QLD. 05/05/43 Converted to Ground Training Aid. |
| A24-37 | PBY-5 | 1094 | Bu.08200 | 3 OTU
11/3/43. 11 Sqn 9/11/43 Coded FJ-J. 20 Sqn 14/12/43 Coded RB-W. 11 Sqn 1/8/44. 111 ASRF 24/7/45. Sold to A.N.A. 15/10/46.
|
| A24-38 | PBY-5 | 1097 | Bu.08203 | 20 Sqn
21/2/43 Coded FJ-H. Reports also state later FJ-J 16/04/43. 11 Sqn 11/3/43. 107 Sqn 23/6/43. 43 Sqn 25/8/43 OX-E. 11 Sqn 18/2/44 Coded FJ-L. Damaged 20/3/44. Conversion. |
| A24-39 | PBY-5 | 1100 | Bu.08206 | 3 OTU
18/2/43. Crashed 24/05/43, Into sea near Port Stephens NSW. |
| A24-40 | PBY-5 | 1095 | Bu.08201 | 11 Sqn
30/3/43 Coded FJ-J. 43 Sqn 12/8/43 OX-A. 3 OTU 11/2/45. Sold to A.N.A. 15/10/46. |
| A24-41 | PBY-5 | 1098 | Bu.08204 | 20 Sqn
15/3/43 Coded RB-U. Crashed 08/04/43, Gulf of Carpentaria QLD after an on board Fire, all killed. |
| A24-42 | PBY-5 | 1102 | Bu.08208 | 11 Sqn
28/3/43 FJ-K. 20 Sqn 12/12/43. 11 Sqn 23/3/44 Coded FJ-G. 43 Sqn 11/6/44. Damaged in heavy seas 15/5/45. Conversion.
|
| A24-43 | PBY-5 | 1096 | Bu.08202 | 11 Sqn
19/4/43 FJ-B. Shot Down and crashed 26/04/43, Bouganville. |
| A24-44 | PBY-5 | 1101 | Bu.08207 | 20 Sqn
19/4/43. 20 Sqn 20/04/43 Coded RB-S. 43 Sqn 27/9/43 Coded OX-K. On 6 April 1944 F/O Reg Marr in A24-44 rescued the crew of Beaufighter A19-156 which had been hit by enemy fire and CL on Cartier Is, south of Semaroe Is. The landing was in the open sea at dusk and a dark take-off with the 31 Sqn crew. 11 IASRF 8/6/45. Sold 6/1/48. Kingsford Smith Air Services.
|
| A24-45 | PBY-5 | 1183 | Bu.08269 | 11 Sqn
19/4/43 Coded FJ-D. 43 Sqn 12/3/44 OX-E. FTR Namlea 20/7/44. Wreckage discovered 1996. |
| A24-46 | PBY-5 | 1186 | Bu.08272 | 20 Sqn
15/4/43. 20 Sqn 20/04/43 Coded RB-R. 3 OTU 5/7/43. 20 Sqn Coded RB-T 6/01/44. On 21 Jan 1944, while in service with 43 Sqn, while returning to Darwin from from an operation, due to bad weather the crew alighted near Snake Bay, Melville Island. During refuelling from Drums, spilt fuel on the wing caught fire igniting the fabric covering of the trailing quarter of the wing plus the ailerons. The aircraft was towed approximately 200 miles to Darwin by HMAS Mercedes, a mine sweeper. Disposed of to C K Campbell 12/11/1947. In 1990 moved from Lake Boga, Vic, to Albany. Was on display, partially restored, at the Malcolm Green Aircraft Museum, Whaleworld, Albany, WA. Sold late 2004. Current location not known.
|
| A24-47 | PBY-5 | 1198 | Bu.08284 | 11 Sqn
6/5/43 Coded FJ-G April 1943. April 1944 Coded FJ-K. 112 ASRF 18/8/45. Sold to J. E. Wood 13/11/47.
|
| A24-48 | PBY-5 | 1182 | Bu.08268 | 20 Sqn
20/04/43 Coded RB-Q. Wrecked during take-off Bowen lighthouse. Conversion. Salvaged 30/05/43.
|
| A24-49 | PBY-5 | 1199 | Bu.08285 | Served with
20 Sqn 05/05/43 Coded FJ-L. Served with 11 Sqn 24/06/43. Crashed 28/04/44 Horn Island QLD after a mission to Manokwari. |
| A24-50 | PBY-5 | 1178 | Bu.08264 | 20 Sqn
20/04/43 Coded RB-Z. 20 Sqn 2/5/43. 11 Sqn 23/8/43 Coded FJ-E. Failed to Return 2/9/43 from Sorong, Vogelkop Pen. The following is a Government press release: Search and recovery of Second World War Catalina A24-50 3rd August 2019 The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed a search and recovery mission in Indonesia for the remains of 10 Australian airmen aboard Catalina A24-50, 76 years after the aircraft failed to return from a wartime mission. Reported missing on 2 September 1943 while on a sea mining operation to Sorong in occupied Dutch New Guinea, the wreckage of RAAF No 11 Squadron Catalina A24-50 was located near Fakfak, in West Papua in April 2018. Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the Air Force Unrecovered War Casualties team positively identified the missing aircraft during a reconnaissance mission to the crash site last year. “We are committed to honouring the service and sacrifice of Australian military personnel from all theatres of war,” Mr Chester said. “The RAAF team has concluded further search activities in the field and have reported finding a number of items of interest which require further testing in order to confirm the origin of each item. “The only major recognisable pieces of wreckage were two sections of the wing, engines and propeller, and the empennage (rear part of fuselage) across the top of a ridge. “We are very grateful for the support and assistance provided by the Indonesian Air Force throughout this process, without which this work could not take place.” This crew was primarily from No. 11 Squadron with one from No. 20 Squadron. The names of the 11 Squadron members are listed at Panel 100 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial and that of the 20 Squadron member at Panel 101. The crew details are: Captain and 1st pilot - 401660 Flying Officer (FLGOFF)
James Percival OLIVER. Additional information supplied by Victor Smith. |
| A24-51 | PBY-5 | 1257 | Bu.08333 | 20 Sqn
2/6/43 Coded RB-W. 11 Sqn 26/7/43. 3 OTU 25/5/44. Sold to Australair 5/11/47. |
| A24-52 | PBY-5 | 1259 | Bu.08335 | 14/06/43 11
Sqn Coded FJ-A. 07/09/43 Crashed Cleveland Bay, Townsville, Queensland - The aircraft, carrying 10 crew and 9 passengers, crashed when landing after returning from Merauke and Karumba. After touching down the aircraft travelled a short distance when it struck a large wave and sank by the bow. A film that captured the incident disclosed that after the aircraft sank by the bow one or both anti-submarine depth charges exploded. The following 7 crew members were killed:
24/09/43 Conversion. |
| A24-53 | PBY-5 | 1258 | Bu.08334 | 11 Sqn
26/5/43 Coded FJ-B. 43 Sqn 9/9/43 OX-J. 20 Sqn 28/11/43. 43 Sqn 23/12/43. FTR 21/4/44 from Balikpapan. |
| A24-54 | PBY-5 | 1256 | Bu.08332 | 20 Sqn
15/6/43 RB-U. 112 ASRF 27/1/45. Flew from Darwin and arrived to pick the survivors from A72-81 & A72-77 that was shot down in the same action in the Sawoe Sea (Timor) on 06/04/1945. After A24-54 landed to pick up survivors it was staffed by fighters and caught fire. The crew as well as the Liberator survivors were force to abandon the aircraft.
|
| A24-55 | PBY-5 | 1260 | Bu.08336 | 20 Sqn
1/7/43. 11 Sqn 9/10/43 Coded FJ-J. 43 Sqn 26/9/44.
111 ASRF 10/6/45. Sold to C. K. Campbell 12/11/47.
|
| A24-56 | PBY-5 | 1200 | Bu.08286 | 43 Sqn
7/8/43.Coded OX-B, 20 Sqn Coded RB-K, 11 Sqn 22/12/44. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 16/8/45. 2 Sqn 15/11/45. Sold to Kingsford-Smith 5/ 1/48. |
| A24-57 | PBY-5 | 1264 | Bu.08340 | 20Sqn 4-43
Coded FJ-H. Sold 11/5/47. |
| A24-58 | PBY-5 | 1265 | Bu.08341 | 20 Sqn
5/7/43 Coded RJ-P. 43 Sqn 14/11/44 OX-U. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 4/4/45, 20 Sqn 6/12/45. Sold to Barrier Reef Airways 10/11/47. |
| A24-59 | PBY-5 | 1324 | Bu.08400 | 20 Sqn
1/8/43 Coded RB-L. 43 Sqn 12/8/44. ASR Sqn 16/5/46. Sold to Sydney Morning Herald 24/3/47.
|
| A24-60 | PBY-5 | 1328 | Bu.08404 | 20 Sqn
11/7/43 Coded RB-N. 43 Sqn 6/12/44. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 6/5/45. Sold 12/11/47.
|
| A24-61 | PBY-5 | 1330 | Bu.08406 | 20 Sqn
1/8/43 Coded RB-M. 11 Sqn 5/7/45. Sold to C. K. Camphell 12/11/47. |
| A24-62 | PBY-5 | 1340 | JX238 | 20 Sqn
11/8/43 Coded RB-Z. 11 Sqn 9/12/44. 20 Sqn 6/8/45. Sold 5/1/48. |
| A24-63 | PBY-5 | 1341 | JX239 | 20 Sqn
1/8/43 Coded RB-O. 43 Sqn 7/6/44 Coded OX-A. 11 Sqn 13/12/45. Sold 5/11/47. |
| A24-64 | PBY-5 | 1329 | Bu.08405 | 07/08/43 43
Sqn Coded OX-D and was named "The Dabster" by Flying
Officer I. O. Righetti (The term "Dabster" is
Australian slang for an expert or "the best"). 14/12/44 A24-64 together with 22 other Catalinas departed Jinamoc Island on a mission to lay mines at Manila Bay. This was to prevent the Japanese leaving Manila Bay and interfering with Australian and US forces landing at San Jose on the island of Mindoro. All aircraft except A24-64 returned safely from the mission. The entire crew of A24-64 were presumed killed:
|
| A24-65 | PBY-5 | 1433 | Bu.08489 | 43 Sqn
16/9/43 Coded OX-H. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 6/6/45. Sold to C. K. Campbell 12/11/47.
|
| A24-66 | PBY-5 | 1443 | Bu.08499 | 43 Sqn
2/9/43. 3 OTU 16/7/44. Sold to J. E. Wood 21/11/47.
|
| A24-67 | PBY-5 | 1444 | Bu.08500 | 20 Sqn
25/8/43 Coded RB-X. Shot Down 01/10/43, during torpedo attack. |
| A24-68 | PBY-5 | 1458 | Bu.08504 | 43 Sqn
8/9/43. 11 Sqn 31/3/45. 112 ASR F 27/6/45. 43 Sqn 25/10/45. Sold to Kingsford-Smith 5/1/48. |
| A24-69 | PBY-5A | 1610 | Bu.34055 | First
Amphibian taken on charge by RAAF, delivered to Lake
Boga 17/12/43. 11 Sqn 18/2/44. Coded FJ-A (18-2-44) Destroyed by fire Darwin 14/12/45.
|
| A24-70 | PBY-5A | 1613 | Bu.34059 | Amphibian. 43 Sqn 5/2/44 Coded M. 20 Sqn 10/10/44. 3 OTU 20/1/45. Conversion 22/1/46.
|
| A24-71 | PBY-5A | 1611 | Bu.34057 | Amphibian. 11 Sqn 8/4/44. Coded FJ-N. 20 Sqn 6/12/44. 43 Sqn 16/2/45. 11 Sqn 27/8/45. Sold to Kingsford-Smith 5/1/48. |
| A24-72 | PBY-5A | 1612 | Bu.34058 | Amphibian. 11 Sqn 5/2/44 Coded FJ-B. S&R Wg 15/2/49. Sold to Grant Trading Co 14/1/43. |
| A24-73 | PBY-5A | 1662 | Bu.48300 | 20 Sqn
8/4/44. Coded RB-T. Failed to return from Surabaya 21/5/44. |
| A24-74 | PBY-5A | 1660 | Bu.48298 | 11 Sqn
5/2/44 Code FJ-F. Original to be FJ-D Force landed Clarence River 15/7/44. Conversion 12/2/46. |
| A24-75 | PBY-5A | 1659 | Bu.48297 | 11 Sqn
7/4/44 Coded FJ-D. Sold to Mr Kennedy 9/5/47. Registered 21/7/47, VH-BDY.
|
| A24-76 | PBY-5A | 1661 | Bu.48299 | 20 Sqn
27/2/44 Coded RB-J. 43 Sqn 14/11/44. Crashed 19/12/44 Broome, WA. |
| A24-77 | PBY-5A | 1663 | Bu.48301 | 20 Sqn
27/2/44 Coded RB-X 42 Sqn 16/4/45. 43 Sqn 12/7/45. 11 Sqn 12/11/45. 43 Sqn 10/1/46. Sold C. K. Campbell 12/11/47. |
| A24-78 | PBY-5A | 1664 | Bu.48302 | 11 Sqn
28/2/44. 20 Sqn 23/9/44. 42 Sqn 9/10/44. 43 Sqn 3 9/45. Sold to Barrier Reef Airways 10/11/47.
|
| A24-79 | PBY-5A | 1706 | Bu.48344 | Completed
29/10/43 Delivered to RAAF 28/01/44 as 48344. To 2FBRD 28/01/44. Changed to A24-79 29/01/44. To 1FBRD 30/10/44. To 43 Sqn 16/5/44. To 11 Sqn 8/6/44. To 1FBMU 21/06/44. To 11 Sqn 05/07/44. To 2FBRD 21/11/45 and placed into storage 05/02/46. To CMU Lake Boga 15/03/46. Sold to Barrier Reef Airways 26/11/47. Issued 14/05/48. Modified into a houseboat sometime. Noted at Muddy Bay/Airlie Beach as late as 1996, possibly towed to sea and sunk.
|
| A24-80 | PBY-5A | 1711 | Bu.48349 | 3 OTU
1/5/44. 11 Sqn 6/12/45. Sold to Kingsford-Smith 5/1/48. |
| A24-81 | PBY-5A | 1712 | Bu.48350 | 20 Sqn
3/6/44. 42 Sqn 11/2/45. 11 Sqn 18/7/45. Sold to Kingsford-Smith 5/1/48.
|
| A24-82 | PBY-5A | 1610 | Bu.34056 | 43 Sqn
16/5/44. 20 Sqn 9/9/44. 43 Sqn 3/2/45/ 11 Sqn 16/8/45. Sold 10/11/47. |
| N/A | PBY-5A | 1709 | Bu.48347 | 04/02/44
Missing during ferry flight to Australia - Aircraft
departed the west coast of the US on a ferry flight
to Australia on 28/01/44. Departed Suva 04/02/44.
The aircraft never reached Australia and was listed
as missing somewhere between Suva and Rathmines. The
last contact was a signal received the same day it
departed Suva. No distress signals were ever
received. Most likely would have been serialed
A24-83. The entire crew were pressumed dead: F/LT Peter Lionel Barrett Marsh [408191] (1st Pilot) F/O Austin George Durst [408641] (2nd Pilot) F/O Robert Maxwell Hamilton [408990] (Navigator) P/O Geoffrey Ireland [16737] (Wireless (Operator) A/SGT William George Drew [24534] (Flight Engineer) |
| A24-83 | PBY-5A | 1708 | Bu.48346 | 20 Sqn
7/6/44. 42 Sqn 18/1/45. Sold to Kingsford-Smith 5/1/48. |
| A24-84 | PBY-5A | 1707 | Bu.48345 | 20 Sqn
7/6/44. 3 OTU 19/2/45. 11 Sqn 12/11/45. 43 Sqn 10/1/46. Sold 5/1/48. |
| A24-85 | PBY-5A | 1713 | Bu.48341 | 20 Sqn
8/6/44. 43 Sqn 25/9/44. 42 Sqn 26/1/45. 11 Sqn 10/8/45. Sold 12/11/47. |
| A24-86 | PBY-5A | 1718 | Bu.48356 | 20 Sqn
9/6/44. 42 Sqn 8/11/44. 11 Sqn 5/2/46. Sold to J. E. Wood 13/11/47. |
| A24-87 | PBY-5A | 1710 | Bu.48348 | 20 Sqn
23/6/44. 3 OTU 17/1/46. Sold to Sydney Morning Herald 24/3/47. |
| A24-88 | PBY-5A | 1714 | Bu.48352 | built
2/11/43, taken on by RAAF 26/03/44. 3 OTU 25/4/44. 42 Sqn 8/8/44, RK-A. 11 Sqn 8/8/45. Sold to Kingsford-Smith 5/1/48. Hull used as a Murray River house boat. Currently under restoration and on display at the Moorabbin Air Museum VIC. |
| A24-89 | PBY-5A | 1716 | Bu.48354 | 43 Sqn
15/7/44. 42 Sqn 1/9/44. 11 Sqn 2/8/45. Sold to Barrier Reef Airways 10/11/47. |
| A24-90 | PBY-5A | 1717 | Bu.48355 | 3 OTU
26/4/44. 42 Sqn 9/8/44. FTR from Makassar 15/10/44. |
| A24-91 | PBY-5A | 1852 | Bu.46488 | 3 OTU
20/6/44. 43 Sqn 8/9/44. Rescued crew of A24-94 24/09/44 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 18/1/45. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight 24/2/45. Caught fire at Morotai 14/6/45.
|
| A24-92 | PBY-5A | 1855 | Bu.46491 | 3 0TU
18/5/44. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight, 5/5/45. 11 Sqn, 28/10/49. At RAAF Rathmines 1/4/53. Transferred to N.E.I as P223, 5/13/53. Soc MLD 15/04/1954.
|
| A24-93 | PBY-5A | 1715 | Bu.48353 | 3 OTU
25/4/44. 42 Sqn 9/8/44. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 1/7/45. 11 Sqn 13/7/45. Sold 5/1/48. |
| A24-94 | PBY-5A | 1853 | Bu.46489 | 42 Sqn
9/7/44. 43 Sqn 15/7/44. 42 Sqn 1/9/44. 24/09/44 Crashed in Arafura Sea after engine failure. Crew was rescued by 43 Squadron's A24-91. The damaged A94-91 was then strafed by gunfire from A24-91's WAG F/O Keith Wordsworth before catching fire and sinking 
|
| A24-95 | PBY-5A | 1854 | Bu.46490 | 20 Sqn
26/6/44. 42 Sqn 7/12/44. 20 Sqn 16/11/45. Sold to Sydney Morning Herald 5/11/47.
|
| A24-96 | PBY-5A | 1896 | Bu.46532 | 42 Sqn
5/8/44. Lost off Sumba Island, Netherlands East Indies. 1945-01-15. Consolidated Catalina aircraft, serial no. A24-96, code RK-E of No. 42 Squadron RAAF, was destroyed by machine-gun fire. On the night of 14 January 1945, during a mission to Surabaya, a plane from No. 42 Squadron RAAF, captained by Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Harrigan, experienced trouble with its port engine and immediately began to lose altitude. At the time Flt Lt Harrigan was flying at 300 feet below heavy cloud off Sumba Island. He jettisoned his mines, but the plane continued to lose altitude and he was forced to alight on the open sea. The hull of the Catalina aircraft was damaged and began to leak. However, the water was kept down by baling. Using the radio-telephone, the crew was able to make its position known to returning minelayers. All night they worked on the faulty engine, but without success. However, in the morning, a Catalina aircraft of No. 43 Squadron RAAF, captained by Flt Lt Ortlepp, landed in the heavy swell, covered by a Liberator aircraft, and took off Flt Lt Harrigan's crew. Flt Lt Ortlepp then destroyed the disabled Catalina aircraft with machine-gun fire and returned safely to base.
|
| A24-97 | PBY-5A | 1897 | Bu.46533 | 42 Sqn
5/8/44. 11 Sqn 13/7/45. 114 Air Sea Rescue Flight 15/10/45. Sold to C. K. Campbell 12/11/47. Was to have been used by Asian Airlines but was broken up.
|
| A24-98 | PBY-5A | 1898 | Bu.46534 | 8 Com Unit
7/7/44. 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 1/1/45. 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 1/1/45. Sank Balikpapan 1/7/45. Given to Netherlands Government, 1953 and renumbered as P-244 & scrapped 1957. |
| A24-99 | PBY-5A | 1899 | Bu.46535 | 3 OTU
7/6/44. 6 Com Unit 12/7/44. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight 1945. Rathmines ex-11 Sqn 7/7/50. Rathmines 1/4/53. Given to Netherlands Government, 1953 and renumbered as P-224. Soc MLD and scrapped 01/07/1957 |
| A24-100 | PBY-5A | 1961 | Bu.46576 | 42 Sqn
8/7/44. 43 Sqn 3/8/44. 42 Sqn 9/9/44. AA Makassar, ditched 23/10/44.
|
| A24-101 | PBY-5A | 1962 | Bu.46577 | 42 Sqn
8/8/44. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight 1945. Damaged 3/7/45. Conversion 1/11/45.
|
| A24-102 | PBY-5A | 42 | Bu.46578 | 42 Sqn
7/8/44. 114 Air Sea Rescue Flight 29/9/45. Sold to C. K. Campbell 12/11/47. |
| A24-103 | PBY-5A | 1943 | Bu.46579 | 3 OTU
6/7/44. 11 Sqn 6/12/45. 43 Sqn 10/1/46. Sold to A.N.A. 15/10/46. |
| A24-104 | PBY-5A | 1959 | Bu.46594 | 8 Com Unit
3/12/44. 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 20/2/45. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight 18/6/45. 11 Sqn 15/7/48. Used by ARDU with JATO units for trials 1948. Rathmines 7/7/50 and 1/4/53. Became P-220 NEI MLD in 19/02/1954 Soc 21/08/1956. The Aircraft that was under restoration at Amberly QLD marked as A24-104 is really ex-RCAF CV369. This aircraft marked as A24-104 is now located at Point Cook VIC.
|
| A24-105 | PBY-5A | 1956 | Bu.46592 | 11/11/44
Received Rathmines, NSW. 11/01/45 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight. 29/03/45 Damaged. The nose wheel doors opened and the aircraft filled with water during a landing at Morotai Island in the NEI. This caused the nose wheel doors to be torn off and damage to the hull and bulkhead. The pilot was able to get the aircraft off the water and make a strip landing to save it from sinking. 10/06/45 Damaged. The aircraft was forced to land without the nose wheel as the nose wheel doors jammed on landing at Tawi Tawi Island. 05/08/45 115 Air Sea Rescue Flight. 14/02/46 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight. 21/10/46 114 Air Sea Rescue Flight. 19/11/46 Damaged. The aircraft brakes failed while taxing down the runway at Garbutt, QLD. The aircraft careered off the runway, through a fence, and into a ditch. Damage to nose, forward undercarriage, hull and hydraulic lines. 22/04/47 Attached to Port Moresby for special duties including searcher party duties and prisioner evacuation. 09/11/49 11 Squadron (Darwin Detachment). 07/05/50 Crashed. Port engine developed a fuel leak on a travel flight from Rathmines to Darwin. A single engine landing was attempted but the aircraft overshot the runway at Georgetown. On attempting to abort the landing and climb away it crashed into trees, over-turned and burned. The following five crew members were killed instantly:
|
| A24-106 | PBY-5A | 1970 | Bu.46605 | 113 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 14/12/45. 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 11/10/45. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 21/6/46. Hangar collision 26/11/46. |
| A24-107 | PBY-5A | 1971 | Bu.46606 | 111 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 9/2/45. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight 3/5/45. Sank off Balikpapan 22/06/45. It sank whilst under tow from United States Navy (USN) Minesweeper 364. This aircraft had been involved in a special mission to the Command Ship of the task force attacking Balikapan. After safe delivery of hand mail to the USS Montpelier at approximately 11.25am, the aircraft had several aborted take offs due to the state of the sea. They were tied up behind the destroyer USS Cofer and transferred at dusk to Minesweeper 364. At night the task force attacking Balikpapan would cruise eastwards towards the Celebes as a precaution against submarine attack, returning the next morning to their shelling position. Catalina A24-107 was towed at a slower speed and a destroyer was detailed to escort the minesweeper. The next morning at 9.05am the Catalina sank, apparently holed after striking driftwood. |
| A24-108 | PBY-5A | 1972 | Bu.46607 | 113 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 14/2/45. Crashed on take-off Magee Island 25/3/45. |
| A24-109 | PBY-5A | 1973 | Bu.46608 | 113 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 19/3/45. Rescued crew of A8-33 Ditched 31/3/45 Hareoeka Strait off coast. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 12/4/46. 11 Sqn 9/6/49. Rathmines 1/4/53. |
| A24-110 | PBY-5A | 1984 | Bu.46619 | 113 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 18/2/46. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 13/8/46. 11 Sqn 18/8/49. Rathmines 1/4/53. Given to Netherlands Government, 1953 and renumbered as P221, Soc MLD 12/08/1956, Scrapped 1956. |
| A24-111 | PBY-5A | 1985 | Bu.46620 | 115 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 26/11/45. 114 Air Sea Rescue Flight 2/9/46. Rathmines 1/4/53. Given to Netherlands Government, 1953 and renumbered as P222, Soc MLD 12/08/1956, Scrapped 1956.
|
| A24-112 | PBY-5A | 1986 | Bu.46621 | 112 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 2/8/45. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight 18/2/46. 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 23/4/46. 112Air Sea Rescue Flight 20/1/47. 11 Sqn 18/8/49/ Rathmines 22/8/50. Given to Netherlands Government, 1953 and renumbered as P225, Soc MLD 28/08/1956, Scrapped 1958.
|
| A24-113 | PBY-5A | 1987 | Bu.46622 | 115 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 4/1/46. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight 4/4/46 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 7/5/46. Sank Champaguy Is 4/6/46. |
| A24-114 | PBY-5A | 1988 | Bu.46623 | 115 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 10/8/45. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight 18/2/46. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 27/2/47. Rathmines 1/4/53. Sold to Airmotive Supply 05/53 and broken up.
|
| A24-200 | PB2B-1 | 61133 | Bu.44227/JX717 | 3 OTU
2/12/44. Rathmines 1/4/53. Sold 5/18/53. |
| A24-201 | PB2B-1 | 61124 | Bu.44218/JX612 | 20 Sqn
17/2/44. Sold to Butler Air Trans 21/10/46.
|
| A24-202 | PB2B-1 | 61132 | Bu.44226/JX616 | First PB2B-1
Tall Tail from Boeing Canada. 17/2/44 20 Sqn. 21/10/46 Sold to Butler Air Trans. Butler Air Transport purchased 3 surplus Catalinas: A24-202, A24-362 and A24-376. However they were only interested in the engines and other reusable parts. The stripped Catalinas were then sold at auction to John Cain who used them (plus another Catalina A24-355) as floating guest accommodation for his Stoney Creek holiday park, near Toronto NSW. A storm flooded the holiday park which lead to its demise around 1950. However, prior to the storm one of the Stoney Creek holiday park Catalinas, A24-202, was acquired in 1948 by Horace (Horrie) Gates for his own amusement park at Katoomba Lake in the Blue Mountains. Acording to the Local Studies Librarian, Blue Mountains Library, NSW: "Up to thirty passengers paid two shillings to be taken out to the flying boat by punt where in the dark, stuffy interior, they viewed film of a flight over the Sydney area, heard the story of the Catalina and tried out the controls. While the film was showing, an assistant would stand on the wing rocking the plane to simulate flight while the speedboat would circle the lake providing waves and engine noise. Fun seekers emerged from this sensory experience dizzy and gasping for air, many too ill to enjoy further amusements." After the Katoomba Lake amusement park's demise the council purchased the land in 1952. A24-202 was removed from the lake during 1954 and left on the bank. It was subsequently sold to Sheffield Welding & Engineering of Auburn, NSW in 1958 after which it was dismantled on site and scrapped. |
| A24-203 | PB2B-1 | 61131 | Bu.44225/JX615 | 20 Sqn
30/12/44. Failed to return from Pescadores 7/3/45. |
| A24-204 | PB2B-1 | 61125 | Bu.44219/JX613 | 20 Sqn
8/1/45. Crashed 29/01/45, off Laber Straits. Near Truscott WA. |
| A24-205 | PB2B-1 | 61130 | Bu.44224/JX614 | 20 Sqn
20/1/45. Crashed on take-off, Darwin 9/8/45. Conversion 20/1 1/45. |
| A24-206 | PB2B-1 | 61123 | Bu.44217/JX611 | PB2B-1. 43
Sqn 9/3/45. 20 Sqn 15/6/45. Destroyed 20th June 1945, when tethered to buoy at southern anchorage at East Arm, Darwin after test flight by F/Lt F Jensen. Whilst refueling and being loaded with multiple 250lb Depth Charges, one was accidentally released, falling through a timber barge and sinking to it pre-set ignition depth, which went off, causing the Catalina to sink, resulting in the other wing mounted Depth charges to go off when the aircraft too sank. Killed two fitters: LAC Walter A Strang and LAC Richard L Graham. |
| A24-300 | PB2B-2 | 61135 | Bu.44229/JX619 | 20 Sqn
14/12/44. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 3/4/46. Sold to Qantas Empire Airways 28/10/46. |
| A24-301 | PB2B-2 | 61140 | Bu.44234/JX624 | 20 Sqn
31/12/44. Hit submerged reef and sank, 03/12/45. Jinamoc. |
| A24-302 | PB2B-2 | 61136 | Bu.44230/JX620 | 3 OTU 28/1
45. Sold to Airmotive Supply Corp, NY, 18/5/53. |
| A24-303 | PB2B-2 | 61137 | Bu.44231/JX621 | 20 Sqn 23/
1/45. 3 OTU 20/9/45. Sold to Asian Airlines Pty, 30/1/48. Then Qantas as VH-EBB, Broken up 02/51. |
| A24-304 | PB2B-2 | 61143 | Bu.44237/JX627 | 20 Sqn
7/2/45. Sold to Poulson & Middlemiss 21/10/46.
|
| A24-305 | PB2B-2 | 61134 | Bu.44228/JX618 | 3 OTU
16/2/45. Sold to Asian Airlines Pty, 30/1/48. Then Qantas as VH-EBA, Scrapped 07/53. |
| A24-306 | PB2B-2 | 61139 | Bu.44233/JX623 | 20 Sqn
9/2/45. Sold to Qantas 10/12/46. |
| A24-307 | PB2B-2 | 61138 | Bu.44232/JX622 | 20 Sqn
9/2/45. 3 OTU 17/1/46. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| A24-308 | PB2B-2 | 61141 | Bu.44235/JX625 | 43 Sqn
9/3/45. 20 Sqn 8/6/45. Damaged by AA off Timor 22/7/45. Conversion 4/9/45. |
| A24-309 | PB2B-2 | 61142 | Bu.44236/JX626 | 20 Sqn
24/3/45. Sold to Qantas 12/12/46. |
| A24-350 | PB2B-2 | 61185 | Bu.44279/JX661 | 3 OTU
12/4/45. Sold to Capt P. G. Taylor 23/10/46. Resold to N R Carpenter Pty as VH-ALN, To Qantas 04/49 as VH-EBC, Broken up in 11/58.
|
| A24-351 | PB2B-2 | 61192 | Bu.44286/JZ833 | 3 OTU
9/4/45. Sold to Mr A. C. M. Jackaman 13/12/46. Became P-208 NEI MLD in 1947 Soc 25/08/49. |
| A24-352 | PB2B-2 | 61184 | Bu.44278/JX660 | 3 OTU
12/4/45. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 16/5/46. Qantas 6/12/46. A24-352 was not involved in Air Sea Rescue standby at Perth in 03/47 as it was at QANTAS for its 360 hour inspection at the time. 11 Sqn 8/9/49. Sold to Airmotove 18/5/53.
|
| A24-353 | PB2B-2 | 61187 | Bu.44281/JZ828 | 43 Sqn
7/5/45. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 26/11/45. 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 2/9/46. Sold to Australian Aluminium Co., but was broken up. Conversion 3/12/48. |
| A24-354 | PB2B-2 | 61188 | Bu.44282/JZ829 | 43 Sqn
26/4/45. 42 Sqn 17/9/45. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 26/11/45. Sold to Qantas 10/12/46. VH-ALN.
|
| A24-355 | PB2B-2 | 61195 | Bu.44289/JZ826 | 43 Sqn
14/4/45. 112 Air Sea Rescue Flight 26/11/45. Sold to Qantas 10/12/46. Converted to components.
|
| A24-356 | PB2B-2 | 61191 | Bu.44285/JZ832 | 43 Sqn
18/5/45. 114 Air Sea Rescue Flight 20/2/46. Sold to Mr Carr 28/10/46.
|
| A24-357 | PB2B-2 | 61171 | Bu.44284/JZ831 | 43 Sqn
28/5/45. Sold to Qantas 30/10/46. |
| A24-358 | PB2B-2 | 61172 | Bu.44266/JX648 | 43 Sqn
30/5/45. Hailstorm damage, Rathmines 25/4/46. Sold to Capt P. G. Taylor 23/10/46. Became P-207 NEI MLD in 1947 Soc 24/08/49.
|
| A24-359 | PB2B-2 | 61190 | Bu.44288/JZ835 | 43 Sqn
21/5/45. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| A24-360 | PB2B-2 | 61200 | Bu.44294/JZ841 | Last PB2B-1
Tail Boeing Canada, named 'DAVID HORNELL. VC'. 43 Sqn 30/5/45. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight 12/9/45. 115 Air Sea Rescue Flight 1/12/45 Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53.
|
| A24-361 | PB2B-2 | 61167 | Bu.44261/JX643 | 43 Sqn
16/6/45. Sold to Mr F. H. Bridgewater 27/9/46. |
| A24-362 | PB2B-2 | 61194 | Bu.44288/JZ835 | 43 Sqn
1/6/45. 115 Air Sea Rescue Flight 19/2/46. Sold to
Butler Air Transport 11/10/46. The Historical Aviation Restoration Society (HARS) currently fly Catalina PBY-6A BuNo 46679 VH-PBZ marked as A24-362
|
| A24-363 | PB2B-2 | 61153 | Bu.44247/JX629 | 113 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 12/11/45. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| A24-364 | PB2B-2 | 61197 | Bu.44291/JZ838 | 42 Sqn
23/6/45. 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 12/11/45. Sold to Poulson & Middlemiss 27/2/47. VH-BRB (WFS 1/53) |
| A24-365 | PB2B-2 | 61162 | Bu.44256/JX638 | 42 Sqn
2/7/45. Crashed SE of Mindanao 10/10/45. |
| A24-366 | PB2B-2 | 61170 | Bu.44264/JX646 | 43 Sqn
20/11/45. Sold to Mr Jackaman 13/12/46. Became P-210 NEI MLD in 1948 Soc 17/10/49. |
| A24-367 | PB2B-2 | 61198 | Bu.44292/JZ839 | 42 Sqn
23/6/45. 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight 3/12/45. 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 2/5/46. Sold to Qantas 11/10/46.
|
| A24-368 | PB2B-2 | 61160 | Bu.44254/JX636 | 42 Sqn
3/7/45. 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 28/1/46. Involved in Air Sea Rescue standby at Perth in 06-15/03/47 for a Liberator Flight over the Antarctic. 11 Sqn 2/12/48. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| A24-369 | PB2B-2 | 61193 | Bu.44287/JZ834 | 42 Sqn
5/7/45. 43 Sqn 20/11/45. Sold to Poulson & Middlemiss 8/10/46. VH-BRA (WFS 4/53)
|
| A24-370 | PB2B-2 | 61152 | Bu.44246/JX628 | 42 Sqn
20/7/45. Damaged Laban Island reef 18/8/45. Conversion 20/11 /45. |
| A24-371 | PB2B-2 | 61165 | Bu.44259/JX641 | 42 Sqn
23/7/45. 20 Sqn 22/11/45. 43 Sqn 14/1/46. Sold to Qantas as VH-EBD). |
| A24-372 | PB2B-2 | 61186 | Bu.44280/JX662 | 20 Sqn
11/7/45. Loaned to Qantas 5/2/48. Exploded 27/8/49 at Rose Bay (VH-EAW), Lord Howe Island.
|
| A24-373 | PB2B-2 | 61155 | Bu.44249/JX631 | 42 Sqn
30/7/45. 43 Sqn 30/11/45. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53.
|
| A24-374 | PB2B-2 | 61164 | Bu.44258/JX640 | 43 Sqn
21/8/45. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| A24-375 | PB2B-2 | 61176 | Bu.44270/JX652 | 42 Sqn
27/8/45. 43 Sqn 15/10/45. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| A24-376 | PB2B-2 | 61161 | Bu.44255/JX637 | I APU
6/8/45. Sold to Butler Air Transport 11/10/46. |
| A24-377 | PB2B-2 | 61196 | Bu.44290/JZ837 | 20 Sqn
18/8/45. 3 OTU 25/1/46. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| A24-378 | PB2B-2 | 61159 | Bu.44253/JX635 | 113 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 8/9/45. Loaned to Qantas (VH-EAX). Wrecked Lord Howe Is 24/6/49. |
| A24-379 | PB2B-2 | 61166 | Bu.44260/JX642 | 20 Sqn
10/9/45. 43 Sqn 17/1/46. 114 Air Sea Rescue Flight 19/2/46. Sold to Qantas 11/10/46. |
| A24-380 | PB2B-2 | 61189 | Bu.44283/JZ830 | 113 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 1945. 115 Air Sea Rescue Flight 25/8/45. 11 Sqn 14/7/49. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| A24-381 | PB2B-2 | 61163 | Bu.44257/JX639 | 113 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 1945. Served with 115 Air Sea Rescue Flight 08/09/45. Positioned at Hobart 10-17/03/47 on Air Seas Rescue standby for a Liberator flight over the Antarctic. Crashed Lord Howe Island 28/09/48. Crew; FLT LT W.D. Keller, FLT LT J.B. McCoy, FLT LT A. McKenzie, FLT LT M.D. Smith, PLT3 S.I. Piercy, WO S.H. Bacon, WO D.E. Salis.
|
| A24-382 | PB2B-2 | 61156 | Bu.44250/JX632 | 3 OTU
17/9/45. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| A24-383 | PB2B-2 | 61169 | Bu.44263/JX645 | 113 Air Sea
Rescue Flight 24/8/45. 3 OTU 10/1/46. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| A24-384 | PB2B-2 | 61199 | Bu.44293/JZ840 | Sold to
Captain P G Taylor but was never allocated a VH-
registration 10/22/46. Became P-209 NEI MLD in 1947 Soc 25/08/49. |
| A24-385 | PB2B-2 | 61154 | Bu.44248/JX630 | 3 OTU
17/9/45. Sold to Capt P. G. Taylor 23/10/46. VH-AGB later to VH-ASA (WFS 3/52). Sold to Airmotive Supply, New York USA 18/05/53. Aircraft displayed as VH-ASA Frigate Bird II at the Powerhouse Museum.
|
| A24-386 | PB2B-2 | 61158 | Bu.44252/JX634 | 43 Sqn.
S&R Wing/ll GR Sqn 1/10/47. Sold to Airmotive 18/5/53. |
| N/A |
|
This
Catalina was not an RAAF aircraft but was flown to
Australia c1981 by Mike Wansey and the Australian
Wing of the Confederate Air Force. It was coded "NB-N" and given the ficticous serial A24-387 ![Highlight for
Album: Catalina "A24-387"](http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery3/var/albums/Catalina/Catalina-A24-387/Calaina_A24_387_Harlingen_Texas_October_1982.jpg "Highlight for Album: Catalina
"A24-387"") |
||
| N/A | 1608 | 44-34054 | Transferred to RAAF, was sold in 07/03/50 to M. Fitzgibbon, of Stanmore, but was eventually broken up. |
The Authors of this page are Ron Wynn and Nelson Little (blackcat@adf-serials.com.au).
Sources / References: Townsville at War Website, Australian Aviation Magazine, List by Mark Aldrich, Flightpath Magazine, The Book: Catalina Chronicle, The Book: Lake Boga, The Herald Sun Newspaper, Flying Boats at War - the way it was, Dean Normans Aircrew Project, RAAF Status Cards, Flt Sgt Clifford Grove's Radio Operators Logbook.
Emails: David Legg, Terence Geary, Warwick Henry, Greg Hyde, Mark Aldrich, Daniel Leahy, Gordon Birkett, Dean Norman, John Andrade, Bob Livingston, Marcelo J.Matarazzo, Tjalling Boelman, Ralph Bradstreet, Wynnum Graham, Dean Norman, Wayne Peadon, Grahame Higgs, Brendan Cowan, Ron Brett, John McCulloch, Radboud Hack, Peter Wordworth, Victor Smith (A24-50).
Updated 26th April 2021
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