| Author |
Topic: "CAT" SCRATCH FEVER |
|
Randy Finfrock
Advanced Member
|
  
 Posted on: Dec 4, 2009 - 3:38pm
|
Hi guys, I've done some research on PBY's since my father-in-law was first serving in the Navy on a seaplane tender in the N. Atlantic on convoy duty prior to his transferring to PT's (Sep-1942). Here is a good website to look at for various 'Black Cat' Squadrons and their histories; also some photos, patches, etc.
http://daveswarbirds.com/blackcat/contents.htm
TWO SAMPLE ENTRIES OF THE TYPE OF INFO YOU MIGHT FIND:
> Squadron History: VP-12 - Chronology of Significant Events
8 Dec 1941–30 Oct 1942: During this period VP-12 was transferred to NAS Kaneohe conducting patrols in the waters off Hawaii and rotating detachments to Midway Island. Crews were trained on the new replacement PBY-5A aircraft received in September 1942.
15 Dec 1942: As a result of the matte-black paint schemes and night-time bombing operations conducted by the squadron, VP-12 officially became known as a "Black Cat" squadron, along with VPs 11, 91 and 51. The area of operations during this period was concentrated around Guadalcanal.
> Squadron History: VPB-54 - Nickname: Black Cats, 1942–1945.
Although there is no record of official insignia, a Feb 1943 photograph of the squadron commanding officer standing next to a VP-54 Catalina shows an insignia of a snarling black cat crouched on top of a bomb. Members of the squadron state that a full moon served as a background for the design. Colors: moon background, orange; cat and bomb, black with white outlining; cat’s tongue, red; teeth and whiskers, white.
Chronology of Significant Events
11 Mar 1943: VP-54 began sending its aircraft to Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, relieving VP-12. Its duties were to conduct antishipping patrols in the Solomons area in support of the forces occupying the island and Dumbo missions in support of downed aircrews. The initial landings on Guadalcanal had been made on 7 August 1942, encountering strong Japanese resistance. The island was not declared secure until 9 February 1943. Patrol tracks included Russell Island, the southwest coast of Santa Isobel and the northern tip of Malaita and Savo Island.
HAVE FUN!!
Randy Finfrock |
Total Posts: 97 | Joined:
Nov 27, 2006 - 6:21pm | IP
Logged
|
|
 |
FRANK |
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 4, 2009 - 5:32pm
|
Hey Randy-
Hey buddy, thanks for helping me out with the info on the "BLACK CATS". I don't have time as of this writting , but I will be sure to check out that websight!
Thanks again, Randy!
Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON-10 PT-169 " ZEBRA SNAFU " Base Tulagi
HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!
YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY! |
Total Posts: 349 | Joined:
Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 5, 2009 - 11:56am
|
Hey gang
If any of you happen to have any photos of PT BOATS or PT BOAT with a PBY, I would like to see it posted. I have gone through many of my photos but have nothing. As they wroked together at night, maybe they came across each other in the area, and a photo was taken.
|
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined:
Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am | IP
Logged
|
|
Randy Finfrock
Advanced Member
|
Posted on: Dec 5, 2009 - 7:52pm
|
Frank, take a look at the Msg Board topic: "PT's in the Aleutians", some photos posted by Gary Szot on Mar 8, 2008 - 7:18pm.
Randy Finfrock |
Total Posts: 97 | Joined:
Nov 27, 2006 - 6:21pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 7, 2009 - 5:53pm
|
The JFK-skippered 109 had a similar encounter with a Black Cat, as recounted in Robert J. Donovan's "PT 109 - John F. Kennedy in World War II";
"Another night 109 was patrolling well up in Vella Gulf. Kennedy had ordered two of the engines shut off and was idling on the third. This was standard operating procedure for the PTs when they had reached their stations and were patrolling a given area. The powerful engines produced a very heavy wake. Seen from the air it could lead an enemy plane to a boat like a road map. One engine idling held the wake as well as the noise to a minimum.
By the early hours of the morning PT 109 was far from its base. The men were edgy. Above the rumble of the engine and the burbling exhaust they could hear nothing. In all directions it was pitch black. As starkly as on the Day of Judgement, an incandescent yellowish light burst directly overhead and hung in the sky illuminating every last detail of the boat and every line of the upturned faces of the men aboard. Their fear was almost paralyzing. Some of the men believed they were about to be killed.
Harris was on watch in the stern, standing strapped to the 20-millimeter anti-aircraft gun. He was wearing a helmet above his dark, nervous eyes and a kapok life jacket bulged under his chin. In the air off the starboard bow he caught sight of the tail of a plane flying away. He yanked the gun around and fired ahead of it. The shot missed. He fired again and missed again. He was firing steadily when he heard the piercing voice of Kennedy shouting 'Knock it off, Harris!'
The skipper came tearing down the deck. 'Knock it off, knock it off,' he was shouting. 'It's a Black Cat.' Harris ceased firing.
'Black Cat' was the nickname of the American PBY Catalina patrol planes. The pilot had spotted the boat in the darkness and dropped the flare to identify her. Recognizing the PT, he was resuming his own patrol when Harris opened fire. Fortunately, the pilot was able to identify himself on the radio to Maguire in time for Kennedy to call Harris off before he found the target."
|
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined:
Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am | IP
Logged
|
|
| |
FRANK |
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 11, 2009 - 6:09pm
|
Hi ya Earl-
I would LOVE to add that sub base to my diorama Earl, except for one thing! The sub would be well over 10 feet LONG in 1/32nd scale. I'd have to trade in my Pontiac Montana van for a panel truck to haul the diorama around. I sure would be a very neat addition though! Let's see, I"d have to add on an addition to the garage and a bigger work bench and...............................................
Thanks Earl.
Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON-10 PT-169 " ZEBRA SNAFU " Base Tulagi
HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!
YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY! |
Total Posts: 349 | Joined:
Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Will Day
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 11, 2009 - 8:32pm
|
And a different wife, because your present one would leave you in a New York minute...
Will |
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 12, 2009 - 2:13am
|
I know the feeling, although this does not seem to be a problem anymore since I took over the finished basement................
|
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined:
Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am | IP
Logged
|
|
EARL RICHMOND
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 12, 2009 - 7:03am
|
frank i don,mt know if this was actually a base for subs or not. io do remember seeing a couple of them on the right just before going around the point towards cvalvertville.they may have just been there ofor servicing.i didn,t ever check mit out.
earl
maybe your wife may send you out there for a looooooong trip to check it out.
i wish all of you guys a very happy holiday.
hey will i may jhave caught some of that "fever" and was only seeing things that weren,t there.woo hoo happy, happy.eitjher that or some of my home made alky or raisin juice caught up with me
earl richmond |
Total Posts: 319 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm | IP
Logged
|
|
 |
FRANK |
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Dec 12, 2009 - 12:33pm
|
To Will and Earl-
Hey fellas, I know all too well about that so called NEW YORK MINUTE you were reffering to! My wife was born in Brooklyn New York and came equiped with a short fuse! That's why I always have a fire extinguisher in my garage! She complaining that if I build any more pieces for the diorama she's gonna send me packin'! UH, Earl about that very lonnnnggg trip, perhaps just one more piece honey! Her reply would be-"Here's your hat, WHAT'S YOUR HURRY!!! What's Tulagi like this time of year, anywho???
Seriously, I've been married for 33 years and she's put up with my scale modeling all these years and she's my biggest fan and my best critic. If there is something about a model she doesn't like, SHE'LL TELL ME! I like that fellas. Thank you honey! And thanks guys for the belly laffs!
Frank Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON-10 PT-169 " ZEBRA SNAFU " Base Tulagi
HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!
YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY! |
Total Posts: 349 | Joined:
Oct 7, 2007 - 2:09pm | IP
Logged
|
|
|
