Historical information

The A24-64 was one of the Catalinas painted black for nighttime missions, called the Black Cats. 24 Catalinas were used to lay mines at a low altitude to prevent the Japanese from leaving Manila Bay in the Philippines. The Dabster, which is Australian slang for "the best" was No 6 in a sortie of 15 aircraft. Flown by Flight Officer Righetti and crew, they completed the first submarine patrols and bombing missions to Ambon (Indonesia) and Kavieng (New Guinea) in 1941. The Dabster flew her final mission on 14 December 1944, going down in Manila Bay.

Significance

Catalinas were serviced at the No 1 Flying Boat Repair Depot during World War II.

Physical description

Black and white photo of "The Dabster" Catalina, moored on water, two servicemen standing in the cockpit