First Catalina to see action in WW2

[robin bird]

The first Catalina to take part in WW11 was P9630 i.e. The Iceland incident on September 26, 1939. Any details please of its operational service before returning to RAF Helensburgh, MAEE.

Request made re my research into the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment.
robin bird

[PeterColwill]

Hi Robin,

Air Britain P file has

Consolidated 28-5 delivered July 1939 by Consolidated Aircraft San Diego to Contract No. B988730/39

MAEE, 228, 240, MAEE, 210, MAEE

Swung during heavy landing and sank. Dumbarton 10.2.40
regards Peter

[robin bird]

thank you Peter. I know that Dennis Briggs was aboard P9630 when it sank on February 10, 1940. Others who flew in P9630 included Air Commodore Bromet, Sqd Ldr Chaplin (of the Wellington bomber mine finder fame?) Sqd Ldr Knyvett, Sqd Ldr Riley, Flt Lt Isacke. Any poss id and info on these chaps would be appreciated

robin

[robstitt]

Robin,

In case it's of value, P9630 was ferried Botwood, Newfoundland - Wig Bay, Stranraer - Felixstowe on July 13, 1939, by the crew of Capt. R Rogers, Capt. Yancey, Radio Operator R A Booth and Flight engineer D Brown.

Looking further, P9630 was apparently a singleton order of a Model 28-5 commercial version of the Catalina. (Arthur Pearcy: Lend-Lease Aircraft in World War Two). A photo in basic RAF markings shows it marked 'N P9630'.

Robert

[robstitt]

Robin,

Updating, Phil Butler states in Air Arsenal North America that P9630 was a Model 28-4. A photo taken after the accident at Dumbarton shows she was coded 'F' and also had a two-digit code high on the rudder, partially obscured by the tailplane in the photo. Looks like a '1' followed by a digit with a rounded top.

Robert

[PeterColwill]

Robin,

Updating, Phil Butler states in Air Arsenal North America that P9630 was a Model 28-4. A photo taken after the accident at Dumbarton shows she was coded 'F' and also had a two-digit code high on the rudder, partially obscured by the tailplane in the photo. Looks like a '1' followed by a digit with a rounded top.

Robert

Hi

William Wagner, the doyen of all things American at that time, says in his book on Reuben Fleet that P9630 was essentially a PBY-4 and should logically have been Model 28-4. However as a one off Air Ministry order it was designated Model 28-5. He also has a photo of P9630 under test in what could be an overall grey finish, but more likely from the standard USN wing walk and float markings, overall aluminium as USN PBY s on the production line. Red, white, blue roundels and NP9630 on rear fuselage.

Roscoe creed in his book on the PBY says it was delivered in standard "pre war coastal command colours", so is this the scheme P9630 arrived at Felixstowe in? He also says that for test flights and the Atlantic delivery with an American civil crew the American CAA allocated the civil registration NP9630 which as the photo proves was painted on the hull. He also calls it a Model 28-5.

Sorry Robin, getting off subject. Could the Sqn Ldr Riley you mention have been Ryley ?
regards Peter

[robin bird]

It could be Ryley, especially if he was with Coastal Command.


robin

[robin bird]

Flt Butler and Sqd Ldr Knyvett were in Britain's only Catalina P9630 when it crashed at Rhu 10/2/40. Dennis Briggs too. Info is wanted on Butler and Knyett please

[Terry]

Robin, I think Knyvett could be:
Godfrey Alexander Vansittart Knyvett
Passed RAF Cranwell and granted permanent commission as a Pilot officer with effect from 15 Jul 33.
Service Number: 33062
Last mention in the LG: Promoted W/Cdr wef 1 Oct 46
Regards, Terry

[Andy Marden]

As a small aside, the headline type for P9630 in the serials db needs amending:
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...php?uniq=P9630