A CATALINA CRASHED IN CROTIA ?

[RSwank]

There was a detachable ladder for the blister gunner as shown in this photo. It is not quite clear how the ladder attached to the hull when in use, it had to hook onto or into something.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...un_Blister.jpg


A couple of views of the ladder attached in this model of a PBY.

http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2000/pby5alg_1.htm

[gilles collaveri]

We have no "100% sure" proof that we face a Catalina but elements in our possession (thanks to you, guys) tend to indicate that.

I personally would bet on that.

In that case , the question would be:

what Catalina was lost in Croatia?......

[Alex Smart]

None that I could find.

[Col Bruggy]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

None that I could find.

Hello,

All I'm about to say, presupposes that the aircraft is a Catalina (whether it is or not, I don't know).

There is one known loss in the general area. No.1 Emergency Rescue Squadron, USAAF, lost OA-10 43-47957 somewhere off the Croatian coast on 16 November, 1944. The details can be viewed here: http://www.1st-7therspby.org/1stershistory.html select November 1944 - Many More Lives Saved. (either PDF or Text). The exact location of the loss isn't mentioned, but 1 ERS operated in this area, ie Dugi Island etc.

Furthermore: The OA-10s of the 1st ERS were under continual danger of attack from enemy fighters and from shore-based antiaircraft fire as well. On 16 November (1944), an OA-10 was hit by coastal guns while on a search mission in the Adriatic and was forced to ditch. The plane sank at dusk and the crew bobbed about in rubber rafts until the next morning, when one of their own effected the rescue.

See:
PBY The Catalina Flying Boat.
Creed,Roscoe.
Shrewsbury:Airlife Publishing,1986.
p.230

Col.

[gilles collaveri]

That would make sense, thanks a lot Col Bruggy

(note: readers should start at 16 Nov 1944 to have the full story).

There must be a crew report on that mission, but how get it ?

GC

[RSwank]

There is a MACR for 44-6406 the B-17 involved from the 463rd BG. Two men actually bailed out, one was killed and Barney was rescued. It does not give the location of the bailout, but the plane left the formation (last seen) at 45 35 N, 12 55 E to try and take the shortest route home ( to Celone, near Foggia). They were returning from Innsbruck, but the MACR does not give the actual flight route. It does say they were attacked by fighters just before they reached the Italian Coast. The plane made it back but not all the wounded survived.

The "possible" locations for the bail-out and rescue attempt seem (to me) to be close to the coast of Northern Italy, quite a distance from Garmenjak Island.

[gilles collaveri]

Another picture has just arrived:

one of the three fittings (allegedly supporting the ladder?) has a marking.

It seems to be N 3518.

Any comment ? do we face a Catalina ?

GC

[Broncazonk]

Another mystery MUCH EASIER SOLVED with the inclusion of scale in the photos.

It's soooo simple. Put a ruler or tape measue in EVERY photo.

Bronc

[Alex Smart]

Another part number

[gilles collaveri]

Thanks Bronc Alex and Rwank.

Bronc, we shall ask the people on site a picture with a scale (we must forgive them, they are not aircraft expert). I Keep you posted.

GC