1:72 Corgi Aviation Archive Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina

Japanese military planners were so fearful that their task force would be discovered either before they could launch their suprise attack, or whilst their aircraft were recovering back to their home carriers following the attack, that they made the PBY Catalina base at Kaneohe  Bay one of their primary targets. A new seaplane base on the eastern coast of Oahu, Kaneohe Bay was home to three patrol squadrons of Catalinas and on the morning of the Pearl Harbour attack, no less than 33 of these magestic aircraft were either parked on the hardstanding of the base, or moored just off shore. Worried about the search capabilities of and aircraft known as the "Eyes of the Fleet", Japanese strike pilots inflicted significant damage at the base, destroying all but six of the flying boats they found, with the remaining aircraft all sustaining heavy damage. Three aircraft did avoid the carnage at their home station, as they were out on patrol at the time of the raids, using their range to keep out of trouble – they would be instrumental in helping to lead America's fight back in the months which followed. This particular Catalina was at Kaneohe Bay during the attack on 7th December 1941 and is interesting as it displays the markings applied to all US aircraft in this region in the immediate aftermath of the raid. Carrying large American stars with Insignia Red 'meatball' centres in six positions on the wings and fuselage, the aircraft also has a striking insignia Red and white striped rudder, making this one of the most attractive Catalinas of the Pacific war.