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Transferred to Patrol Squadron (VP) 21 in August 1939, Waterman joined that unit in time to make the transpacific flight from Hawaii to the Philippines of VP-21's PBY-4's to reinforce the Asiatic Fleet's patrols out of Cavite and Olongapo.
During World War II, there was a large training and operational base for Catalina amphibians and Sunderland seaplanes, which extended from Invergordon to Alness point - also now an industrial estate.
A notable episode was when a Consolidated Catalina flying boat from No. 209 Squadron RAF based at Lough Erne located the German battleship Bismarck in 1941, leading to the ship's destruction.
On 4 August the U-boat was attacked by a Canso flying boat of No. 162 Squadron RCAF with three depth charges, causing extensive damage.
On 22 February the boat was unsuccessfully attacked south of Iceland by a Canso flying boat of No. 162 Squadron RCAF.
The U-862 sank five merchantmen and also shot down a British Catalina flying boat of No. 265 Squadron RAF while en route.
The PBY Catalina made by Consolidated Aircraft and Canadair seems to have been the first aeroplane to have had an inflatable life boat aboard, first as optional, later as standard equipment.
Later, the convoy was attacked by torpedo-carrying Consolidated PBY Catalina amphibious patrol planes.
Near Killadeas, on Lower Lough Erne, is Gublusk Bay, a Royal Air Force base for Short Sunderland and PBY Catalina flying boats during World War II.
A Catalina seaplane carrying entertainer Bob Hope was forced to make an emergency landing on Camden Haven adjacent to Laurieton on August 14, 1944.
Equipped with Catalina aircraft the Squadron flew its first operational patrols from Karumba on 8 September.
Initially based in Far North Queensland, its headquarters transferred to Darwin, Northern Territory, in September 1944 to take control of three PBY Catalina units, Nos. 20, 42, and 43 Squadrons.
He died in his attacking PBY aircraft at Jolo Harbor, Philippines, December 27, 1941, as he remained bravely at his post in the burning, gasoline-flooded radio compartment.
William B. Preston served as a base for three PBY Catalinas tasked with patrolling the eastern parts of the Celebes Sea, one of which was flown by Tills.
During World War II, several raids were launched against the Japanese forces in Borneo and Java using Catalina Flying Boats by the RAAF from Cockatoo Island in Yampi Sound.
During the late 1960s Dr Forrest Bird and his Bird Corporation developed a conversion for the PBY Catalina to improve performance.