RAAF
JX61
Sunk June 20, 1945
Aircraft History
This plane was built by Boeing of Canada.
Wartime History
Destroyed
and sunk by an accidental explosion of a depth charge in Darwin
Harbor.
Wreckage
The wreck site was
identified by a process of elimination. Since there were only three
RAAF Catalinas lost in Darwin Harbor during the war, and since A24-69
is identified, this third site must be of A24-206,
Wing Damage
Sometimes refereed to as "Catalina 3". Dive inspections
have revealed that the explosion occurred on the starboard wing. The
starboard wing was blown off and lies some sixty meters away from the
main wreck site. However, identification plates have not been located
for this aircraft, perhaps taken by divers many years ago.
Another Possible Identity?
There is a possibility that this site could be of the USN's PatWing-10
aircraft destroyed during the first Japanese air raid on Darwin, Feb.
19, 1942. However, the wreck site is unlikely to be USN as its location
does not fit with historical accounts of the air raid. Three PBYs were
lost during the Darwin raid.
#4 USN PBY-4, BuNo. 1214 - ex-101-P-27, ex-102-P-27
#8 USN PBY-4, BuNo. 1233 - ex-101-P-8
#41 28-5MNE, ex-Y 41, Marineluchtvaartdienst/ (RNNAS)
References
Thanks to Wynnum Graham for aircraft information.
PBY
16m
