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 USAAF c1942  Halmarick Dec 29, 1943  Justin Taylan 2007 |
Location Port Moresby Flying Boat was located to the west of Port Moresby. The takeoff, landing and mooring area were located in Fairfax Harbor. Also known as Fairfax Harbor Flying Boat Base. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of Central District in the Territory of Papua. Postwar, known as Qantas Flying Boat Base (Port Moresby). Today located in the National Capital District (NCD) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and is the site of the modern Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) patrol boat base. Base used Fairfax Harbor as a takeoff, landing and mooring area with shore facilities to the west at Port Moresby. During February 1942, flying boats were moored off Napa Napa (Napanapa) directly across the harbor to the south. Construction Built during 1939 by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) marine section as a seaplane base with a ramp and mooring areas in Fairfax Harbor. Prewar, used to support flying boat and seaplane operations for both commercial and military flying boats and seaplanes. Wartime History Port Moresby Flying Boat Base was used by commercial Qantas flying boats and military RAAF flying boats as a base, mooring area and take off and landing area in Fairfax Harbor. In late September 1939, No. 11 Squadron arrived from Australia and began operating from the base and was used by Catalinas, Short S23 and Short Sunderlands flying boats. Allied units that operated from Port Moresby flying boat base Qantas RAAF, No. 11 Squadron (PBY Catalina) arrives late September 1939 RAAF, No. 20 Squadron (PBY Catalina) USN, VP-101 (PBY Catalina) August 1943–December 1943 Post War After the war, Port Moresby Flying Boat Base was taken over by the Department of Civil Aviation and used by Qantas Catalinas and Sandringham flying boats. During that period, known as Qantas Flying Boat Base (Port Moresby). When Qantas stopped operating in New Guinea, taken over by Trans Australian Airways (TAA) and used to support commercial Catalina flights until January 1966. Afterwards, the area was acquired by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources. During 1967, the Defense Force constructed a wharf, slipway and facilities at this location for their patrol boat base. During this construction, the wreckage of PBY Catalina A24-5 was demolished. Today It is the site of the modern Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) patrol boat base. PBY Catalina Serial Number A24-5 Sunk April 24, 1942 at its moorings after Japanese bombing raid References Ruff Suff (2006) by Norbert Ruff page 74: "Norb received a call hat a repaired plane was down at Townsville and he had to go down and get it. He took his chute bag and went down to the harbor to catch a Martin Flyingboat." Thanks to John Douglas for additional information Contribute
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