The Qantas Empire Airways Catalinas plied their wartime trade over this kind of seascape for many hours on end, unarmed and unprotected by fighter escort despite flying for much of the time through Japanese-patrolled territory.

Catalina G-AGKS Spica Star (Qantas No 5) photographed at its jetty at Perth in 1944. The sole PB2B-1 of the fleet, this boat leaked badly and was rarely used before it was scuttled with bombs off Sydney in March 1946.

Catalina G-AGID Rigel Star, photographed at Perth in 1944.

Catalina G-AGFM Altair Star, is seen at at Perth in 1944.