Why were some Catalinas called "Black Cats"?

Short answer

Because some U.S. Navy PBYs were painted matte black for night bombing, torpedo, and strafing missions against Japanese supply ships and warships during the Guadalcanal campaign. Those aircraft came to be called "Black Cats"; the name was adopted on 30 October 1942.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Why were some Catalinas called "Black Cats"?

Lexus LFA Matte Black 01Motohide Miwa from USA (CC BY), vía commons

Matte black for night flying

During the Guadalcanal campaign, some U.S. Navy PBYs were painted matte black and sent on night missions to bomb, torpedo, and strafe Japanese supply ships and warships. Those PBYs later became known as "Black Cats." The name was adopted on 30 October 1942. Although this heavy, slow-flying aircraft was considered an easy target, the matte black paint turned it into an invisible night predator. Those night missions brought fame to PBY crews in the early 1940s.

The squadrons

The first official Black Cat squadron was VP-12, which operated PBY-5As, the amphibious version of the PBY capable of alighting on water or landing on a runway with conventional gear. Dedicated Black Cat squadrons began forming in December 1942 with VP-12, and thirteen more subsequently entered service.

Radar and night operations in the Solomons

A handful of PBY-5As fitted with early ASV radar had reached the Pacific in August 1942. In December 1942, a full squadron of PBY-5As was deployed to operate at night in the Solomon Islands.