About Mel Crocker
 

Available online at
Amazon.com
& Barnes&Noble.com
or order it through your local book store.
ISBN 0-9712901-0-5

Click here to read more about
Black Cats and Dumbos: WWII's Fighting PBYs.

 
 
 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required to view the Table of Contents, Index, and Tanner's story. See below to get it.) 
BUNo 48259 and Crew Guadalcanal - February 1944
USN 48259 & Crew Guadalcanal - Feb 1944
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Palm Springs Air Museum's PBY
Nov 10, 2007. Newly acquired PBY5A makes a pass with pontoons down at Veterans Day Celebration at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
This was USN 48426 that served in the Aleutians 1944-45.
 
 
 
In the News:
Aug 29, 2002. The Japanese submarine sunk an hour before the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the USS Ward has been found!
A PBY crew, piloted by Ensign William P. Tanner assisted in that sinking.  His story is the first told in Black Cats and Dumbos. Read the report of this historic find at The Honolulu Advertiser.com.
Click here to read Tanner's account of that patrol. (353 KB)
2002 Pensacola Reunion
PBY Cutaway Dedication
Click on the image above for larger views.
Planes of Fame Air Show 
2003
Gary Crocker discusses his father's book with Air Show guests.