Two different planes, same carrier. And pretty much the same part of the flight deck.

A “navalized” B-24 in US Navy service was designated as a PB4Y-1, but it was still named “Liberator”, and not, as is often assumed, “Privateer”. That title came later with the purpose-built PB4Y-2. The photos seen here were taken at RAF Dunkeswell, where Liberators of Fleet Air Wing 7 were based to search for U-boats. 

…and the Navy’s newest fighter, the Corsair. The photo was taken in early 1943 at the Naval Air Technical Training Center Pier on the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago. 

On a sunny day in Seattle, Boeing’s one and only XPBB-1 “Sea Ranger” races over the waters of Lake Washington as it heads for the skies.

It is worth noting that the orderly ripples on the otherwise smooth lake surface are likely manmade.

Story follows:

Per my late Dad (a WWII PBY pilot), ultra-smooth water can make for a problematic takeoff. Reason: the aircraft could have trouble breaking free from the water’s adhesive properties. Therefore, said Dad, a boat would be dispatched to speed about and ripple up the water on a smooth, non-windy day. Lacking a boat, the aircraft could engage in some downwind high-speed taxiing, then do a quick 180-degree turn and takeoff courtesy of the undulating ripplets now creasing the water.

The PBM was never voted “Most Beautiful Aircraft in the Galaxy”, but that’s okay; it was good at its job. Photo taken at Palawan in the Phillipines late in WWII.

Proudly posing with their scoreboard on the hangar deck of USS Essex, VF-15’s roster of pilots included many aces, the top being David McCampbell with 34 victories. The F6F Hellcat he flew to attain such a score is the backdrop for the photo, the famed “Minsi III”. McCampbell is seated to the right of the scoreboard.

Willis Bradley Haviland (1895-1944) was the 16th aviator to join the famed Lafayette Escadrille, the result of which is that he is one of the first Americans to engage in aerial combat. Joining the navy after America’s entry into World War I, he is seen here during World War II when he served as the first Executive Officer of NAS Whidbey Island, and then its second Commanding Officer.

In these photos, Haviland is seen standing on the left in front of a SB2C Helldiver, and center, before a JRF Goose during a visit to NAS Seattle. In honor of the former skipper, a hangar is named for him at NAS Whidbey.

The date is December, 1942, and this is the first PBY to arrive at the brand new NAS Whidbey Island seaplane base. (Note the construction material littering the ramp in the background.) The installation was intended to be a support facility for PBYs from NAS Seattle, but even before work began the plan was altered to where Whidbey would be its own base.

This PBY’s arrival was not without some apprehension. The pilot, Lt. Morrison, stated that he circled the area for quite some time before spotting the “red girders of the seaplane hangar under construction.” Even then he had to land four or five miles out due to an abundance of logs floating in the harbor. After carefully picking his way through the debris he was met by a boat that succeeded in clearing a path for the incoming aircraft.

This hangar (minus the ordnance carts parked alongside) still stands today, but with a different mission: It is now the Navy Exchange (NEX) department store. From this angle, the former hangar looks pretty much the same now as it did then.

Boeing plant at Renton, WA three weeks before the first flight.

Good view of the internal bomb bays. Boeing obviously factored in the loss of lift that would be experienced with these doors open. Judging by the lunchboxes at lower left, the men are anticipating a long day.

The open overhead hatch tells us that this is a high speed taxi test.

Famed Boeing test pilot Eddie Allen takes in the view while the XPBB is towed to open waters on Lake Washington.

The XPBB-1 “Sea Ranger” was Boeing’s effort at fulfilling the Navy’s need for a better long-range flying boat. Such aircraft are always a battle between aero and hydro dynamic engineers, but the XPBB was a remarkably streamlined and efficient design. Internal bomb bays with sliding doors were incorporated into the wing were one such aerodynamic feature.

First flown on July 7, 1942, the XPBB proved a winner from the start and seemed to have a bright future, but…other forces were at work. Despite the Navy’s satisfaction with the project, Boeing’s talents (and factories) were needed for the B-29 program. This was given priority, and, with only one example built, The XPBB project was cancelled. The B-29 program, coupled with the Navy’s growing lack of enthusiasm for the future of large flying boats, caused the one and only XPBB-1 Sea Ranger to became known as the “Lone Ranger”.

On August 28, 1945, PB2Y-5Z (7073) was the Coronado flying boat that flew Admiral Nimitz from Saipan to Tokyo Bay for the surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri. Having completed their mission, the Coronado crew had nothing else to do but wait for Admiral Nimitz to complete his historical mission. The perfect time to catch up on such chores as laundry.

This PB2Y was modified to a VIP transport complete with a flag officer cabin. I assume the pants swinging in the breeze were dry before the admiral had a chance to see how useful the twin tails truly were.