Egbert, Gordon R. (?)
Haley, Thomas B. Hays, Robert B. Schaede, Frank B. Stovall, Joel Clinton Swenson Williams 0855 0865 VP-43's new PBY-5s were still in San Diego, being upgraded with self-sealing fuel tanks, better armor and waist gun stations. The Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons - Volume 2 (p.543) says VP-43 arrived in San Diego on 1941-May-03 by train from Pensacola. The two planes on this page were transferred from VP-12 (based in San Diego) to VP-43 on 1941-Apr-05, and back to VP-12 on 1941-Apr-24. Perhaps VP-12 flew them to Pensacola and back for just 19 days, but it seems more likely that some or all of VP-43 arrived in San Diego earlier - perhaps on 1941-Apr-03 - and borrowed these PBY-3s for familiarization and training until their new PBY-5s were ready. |