PBY Catalina
Thanks RBFlying for the info:
Looks like the PBY played an important role in the Midway battle & has not been given the credit it deserves.
Re Pearl Harbour
I expect that report also had an element of blame avoidance in it. I'd take that assessment with a large grain of salt.
A capital ship going full speed and with all armament manned is a very difficult target for torpedo bombers in particular.
The fleet in open waters,but still within range of air cover from Honolulu to provide protection, would have been a much more formidable target than sitting ducks in Pearl Harbour.
I do take the point though that any ships disabled would have presented a greater rescue problem than in P/Harbour.
The WWII Nav who told me of the 30 hrs endurance obviously flew in the Cats with the aux fuel tanks mentioned by Chuck.
He also flew a pax service that operated from Perth West Australia to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) which is quite a haul.
He told me the Japs tried to intercept them from Sumatra but the fighters did not have the radius of action to be a problem.
Last edited by Capt. Crosswind; 17th Jun 2002 at 04:28.