" STORY OF THE BLACK CATS " PBY CATALINA NIGHT ATTACK AIRCRAFT WWII U.S. NAVY FILM 21855z

Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @periscopefilm
Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit / periscopefilm
Visit our website www.PeriscopeFilm.com
Written and produced in the Southwest Pacific and presented by the Industrial Incentive Division of the United States Navy, “Story of the Black Cats” is a black-and-white World War II-era U.S. Navy film that was intended for workers in war plants and aircraft factories across America. Dedicated to the officers and men of VP Squadrons, Commander of Aircraft Seventh Fleet, this film discuses the Black Cats Squadron which was a rare night fighter aircraft used by the US Navy during World War II from 1943-1945. The planes were PBY Catalina amphibian aircraft that were painted black and converted into bombers and would attack Japanese Imperial Navy targets at night across the Pacific.
Film opens, “Restricted” message, title page, credits (0:07). Ocean at night; Convoy of Imperial Japanese Navy ships and cargo vessels appears, narrator details stealth attacks on Japanese cargo vessels and convoys (0:48). Exterior J.O.A.K. Japan Radio headquarters in Tokyo (1:44). Exterior of Tokyo Station (c.1914) (1:55). Japanese Mitsubishi A6M2 "Zero" takes off (1:59). Airborne Consolidated PBY Catalina drops bombs, big explosion (2:16). More footage, various angles and shots of PBY (2:33). Aerial view of island in Pacific, secret Cat bases (perhaps Naval Base Funafuti) (3:09). Base personnel gather early in morning, looking out for Black Cat that went out for mission the night before; Plane appears and makes water landing and taxis towards shore (3:22). Commodore Thomas S. Combs (Commander Aircraft 7th Fleet) and Group Commander Captain Peck arrive to tow-in sight on Willys MB Jeep (4:37). Corpsmen take wounded combat cameraman from PBY on stretcher (5:04). Blitz Buggy tows PBY to next location for overhaul/ repairs; Mechanics examine engines, propellers of plane, bullet holes while officer records issues in report (5:20). Repair gas tank and refuel plane (6:27). Close-up 525lb and 1000lb bombs dropped by PBYs (6:50). Corpsmen sit outside hut, assemble belts of 50cal machine gun ammunition (6:59). Corpsmen use crane to reload armament onto PBY: Bombs (under wing), torpedo (port wing), machine gun (cockpit) (7:07). Corpsmen remove two literal wild black cats that found their way into PBY during repairs (8:34). PBY crew members play impromptu game of water polo using a coconut (8:40). Interior view of officers’ quarters (9:02). Officers drive off into jungle in Willys MB Jeep, meeting regarding next mission; Arrive at shed with sign that reads “Intelligence, unauthorized personnel keep out,” men briefed on mission and details about convoy that had been spotted (9:38-12:14). Men supply plane with packed lunch, comfort foods from home (12:23). PBY heads out from base for next mission, towed back into water (12:40). PBY flies into bad weather, lightning strikes close to flying plane (13:51) PBY spotted and comes under fire from land, anti-aircraft gun (15:42). PBY resumes convoy search, spots enemy ships and prepares for attack, gun fire exchanged and dots sky (16:35). Aerial view of tanker ship going up in flames; Loss of one Black Cat during battle (18:24). Return to shot of ocean at night (18:55). Troops landing on beach in Pacific (19:23). Final shot of airborne PBY (19:45). Closing credits (19:55). Film ends (20:03).
Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...

[@stevenpilling5318]

I wish Dad was still around to see this film. He flew in Catalinas from one side of the Pacific to the other.

[@TheSilmarillian]

Hear you Australia here . We have 2 cats still airworthy restored Newcastle .

[@markymarknj]

Thanks for posting this! I especially liked the real black cat stowaway... 😸😸😸

[@doughart2720]

Around 18:08 the footage of the staffing of Japanese ships was shot by Damien Parer during the battle of the Bismarck Sea from an RAAF Beaufighter. The Perspex vent window on the left is just one of many give aways that it was not shot from a Catalina.

[@donl1410]

A favorite airplane of mine. Shows the earlier version with detachable beaching gear. The later -5A version was a true amphibian.

[@bartsiegwart2996]

Outstanding video. Thank you for saving it. A real Classic.

[@davidmoody2862]

Love this episode, black cats were crazy, balls of steel, patient as a panther

[@devonbell6795]

Lt Commander Lou Conter was a member of the Black Cats. He was also the last survivor of the USS Arizona. He passed away 04/01/24. Rest easy Lou…

[@californiadreamin8423]

My father was in the Black Cats, the 56 Infantry Division, named after Dick Whittington, part of the 5th Army in Italy.

[@JohnShields-xx1yk]

This is so cool, those guys did an amazing job, the black cats, the best name ever. God bless America 🇺🇸

[@stanleydomalewski8497]

Great Video, of a Great Group of People and Aircrafts !😊

[@njjeff201]

Bless our Vets 🇺🇸

[@JaydenK-nb1sr]

Periscopefilm what in the world you all watch 16mm with 9000 videos. Thanks pal.

[@TigerDominic-uh1dv]

Great Video Thanks 😊

[@jerryodell1168]

The black cats were so useful in WW2. It begs the wonder if they could be helpful if a version was brought up to modern standards and used today. Could they project far more off shore security at a lower cost????? That is a question that might need to be asked. And could they be used for sea going police type operations and search and rescue?????

[@Token_Civilian]

See the P-8 Poseidon.

[@pinetree9343]

Poseidon can't land on water. Only the bombardier can still land on water

[@DoctorShocktor]

???? Yes, there are already thousands of modern aircraft and helicopters that perform the same role. No need to jump in a time machine and use outdated technology, yikes. “Far lower cost” doesn’t match up to vastly increased performance and reliability.

[@garykennedy9914]

Ever hear of a Predator🤷‍♀️???

[@dalemullins4562]

Had to tidy up and do a bit of laundry before going out and saving the world

[@gary33558]

Great video. Thank you for sharing, buddy.

[@stuartcarter3649]

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE also operated BLACK CATS from Northern Australia.👍🇦🇺🇺🇸👍

[@Hoopaball]

3:47 notice the quad 50's in the bow...

[@paul-andrelarose3389]

We owe so much to these courageous flyers, yet we are betraying them by destroying our own Country.

[@pinetree9343]

I too love this episode. It's sad to think that our government and its defense contractors, have lost the ability to predict future needs. Imagine having a fleet of forty bombardier CL-415 aircraft. Fullfilling multiple roles. In wartime, or peacetime, patroling coastlines, downing UAPs, drones or Chinese balloons. During firefighting operations, saving lives and property. Hmmm. Just imagine. If we had something i wouldn't be complaining. But the US does not. The coast guard has none. The Marine corps has none. The dept of interior has none. NOAA, National Marine Fisheries have none. The US Forest service has none. All areas where amphibious operations on this scale, would require one.

[@DoctorShocktor]

Jet aircraft and turbine helicopters have the range, power and reliability that far surpasses amphibious aircraft, not to mention modern communications and survalliance technology. Amphibs were from a time when the only option for slow long range aircraft was landing on the water. It’s long gone, ffs.

[@stargazer5784]

The modern replacement for the flying boat is the Lockheed C-130. Thers are thousands of them out there with dozens of variants available. Everything, from gunships like the Spectre, to water bombers, SAR aircraft, etc.

[@stargazer5784]

​@@DoctorShocktorFor the record, jet aircraft aren't really well suited to fulfilling the SAR or ASW roles, and although helicopters are well suited to both of those roles, their range is limited to a few hundred miles at best, so they need a mothership to operate from. Flying boats were extremely versatile in their fit outs, could fill both roles very well, and were very long ranged. Additionally, coastal bases for them could be set up virtually anywhere because no runways were needed. Their Achilles heel was that flight operations could only be conducted during periods when there was a relatively calm sea state. IE, they can't handle choppy water very well at all. The flying boats started falling out of use once sufficient numbers of heavy bombers like the B-17, and especially the B-24, became available. Although they did require an air base to operate from, they had a much higher payload capacity, could carry enough fuel for patrols stretching over thousands of miles, and with the proper equipment installed, were also suitable for all weather use. The Germans had a very capable counterpart called the Condor, which was the scourge of the Atlantic shipping lanes for a time.

[@keithrosenberg5486]

I am a bit surprised that it did not say it was dedicated to MacArthur.

[@bikeman1386]

SHOCK! GASP! 😮this is all top secret we shouldn't be seeing this !!!!

[@colonelkurtz2269]

I got permission. You didnt?

[@Nicks66Service]

Izzat Rob't Conrad doing voiceover?

[@Ubique2927]

We should still have this type of plane. Modernised of course.

[@DoctorShocktor]

???? You want to propose, design, test, and evaluated need cases for that, go right ahead champ. Until then, your speculation is useless.

[@Ubique2927]

@ No I don’t. Lives have been lost because rescue helicopters have been out of range.

[@AdamHiley-k7k]

AC130

[@Ubique2927]

@ Floats like a brick

[@thomasmixson7064]

Sadly, much of what is presented in "periscope flims" is highly inaccurate, and little more than morale building propaganda

[@maynardcarmer3148]

Of course it is; films like these, made during wartime, were aimed at the workers in the plants making the weapons used in fighting said war. The purpose was to show them what they were accomplishing through their work, and incentivize them to do more and better. Would you expect anything else, given those circumstances?

[@DoctorShocktor]

Wow, ya figured it out sherlock! Yah, loads of communications have an agenda behind their production - AMAZING deduction. They do often contain a good bit of informative content however. Learn how to analyze, discriminate, and filter content - most people don’t need it spoon fed to them to obtain information.