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Some of these Model 28-5MNE (direct purchase
aircraft from Consolidated at San Diego, California) were still enroute. They were
built on the same assembly line as the USN's PBY-5s and identical in every way
except for metric guages and instruments and Dutch Navy markings. Given the serial
numbers Y-37 through Y-73 in MLD service, Y-67 and upward were still being delivered
and were in transit from the USA on 7.12.41. Y-68 was destroyed during the Japanese
attack at Pearl Harbor and replaced by the new Y-73. Y-67, Y-69 through Y-73 reached
the Netherlands East Indies (most via Africa) in December 1941 / January 1942.
Info provided courtesy of Lou Dorny of Seattle WA, USA.
The Dutch Catalinas Y-69 and Y-70 were being ferried from the
United States to Java, and had made a stop at Midway on 6.12.41. They left
Midway on the morning of 7.12.41 enroute to Wake, but were recalled on news of the
Pearl Harbor attack. The planes, (including all freight on board destined for the
Netherlands East Indies), were requisitioned for use with the US Naval Air Service by
the Midway Naval commander. Towards the end of December 1941 both aircraft were
returned to the NEI authorities.
Information kindly provided by Dr. A.P. van Vliet, Director Instituut voor Maritieme Historie, The Hague, Netherlands.
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