PBY Catalena

My father, Cdr. Theodore Hechler, Jr. (USN Ret.) graduated from the US Naval Accademy, Annapolis, MD in 1940. Later he got his wings
(I remember seeing a pin like this one). His unit was VPB-92, a Patrol/Bombing Squad.

Read a fascinating personal account by a squadron mate.

"Known as Catalina, Canso and Nomad, the PBY was one of the U.S. Navy's most useful aircraft during WWII, with more produced than any other craft before or since....

"Approximately 3,300 PBY types were produced during the war for various services and Allies. At their peak employment, the PBY's equipped 29 U.S. patrol squadrons."

"Naval Aircraft: Catalina." Naval Aviation News. June 1972.

A PBY that either crashed or was washed ashore during a typhoon on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Source: From The Hagensieker's Home Page at http://www.urban.ne.jp/home/jhagensi/hpage/pby.htm

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