Steve Grivno concludes the story of the exploits of Crew 10 and US Navy Privateer Lady Luck II
WORLD WAR TWO CONSOLIDATED PRIVATEER
Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer 59446 Lady Luck II, of US Navy Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-108, staggered through the air.
On a mission with another PB4Y to Nagoya Bay, off the Japanese mainland, on June 11, 1945, the airmen aboard – known collectively as ‘Crew 10’ – had just attacked a coastal freighter.
On a second pass to finish off the stricken vessel, the Privateer had lined up at 75ft above the water, flying at 180 knots (333km/h). The freighter exploded as the bomber flew overhead, throwing Lady Luck II 500ft upwards.
The crew checked for injuries and damage to the aircraft, such as fuel or hydraulic leaks. Pilot William Hazlett and co-pilot George Riffe quickly stabilised the PB4Y and scanned the instruments to see how the engines were functioning. (See the last issue for full crew details.)
The bomber’s controls responded to their input and, other than being a little shaken up, it was still flying fairly well. The radios were all knocked out except for the VHF, but the only immediate concern was the No.3 engine’s propeller, which was vibrating.
One of the Japanese gunn…
