CATALINA 1944

Catalina landing at Matilda Bay during WWII

Description:

PBY 5 Flying Boat

Owner:

US Navy Fleet Wing

Construction:

Aluminium

Sunk:

1944/04/04 or 1943/01/23

Size:

14.4 ton length 19.5m wing 31.7m height 5.7m

Underwater:

Though this particular aircraft belonged to the United States Navy Fleet Air Wing 10, an informal agreement between the US and Western Australia transfers control to this State. A recent declaration that all the World War II flying boats at Broome come under the protection of the Heritage of Western Australian Act 1990 is a pointer to the future management of this site when it is found.

Built:

Consolidated Aircraft Corp. USA

Location:

4km South of Sea Bird

Sinking:

En route from Matilda Bay in Perth – forced to land near Sea Bird during WWII, the Catalina dragged anchor and was wrecked on nearby reef. Few records and site not located.

Longitude:

115.436484

Latitude:

-31.295268