USN Floatplane detachment
 

What was the organisation of the cruiser floatplane detachemtn in 1942. Most cruisers had two floatplanes. Does this mean two crews were assigned or was there a third crew to prepare for accidents?

My interest is in the career of Lt GC Duncan the senior pilot on USS Louisville. Given that he only qualified as a pilot in February 1942 to be senior pilot argues two or three pilots at most.

regards

Keith

Re: USN Floatplane detachment
 

Louisville was a heavy cruiser and is likely to have carried four SOCs and five crews.

Re: USN Floatplane detachment
 

Cheers George

Re: USN Floatplane detachment
 

Just an update. As George correctly points out Duncan was one of five seaplane pilots aboard Louisville. In 1943 the others were Lts(j.g.) WW Lape, DH Jones, EL Hawkins and WL Hahn. As the senior officer he is the detachment commander. He continues aboard Louisville until March 1943 when according to his statement he joined a PBY-5A squadron on Guadalcanal. I do not have a date for this but there were two squadrons on Guadalcanal, VP-12 and VP-54. VP-54 seems a possibility because Duncan disappears from the Louisville records in mid-March 1943 and VP-54 arrives on Guadalcanal at the same time. Tenuous at best but....