VPB-33

VPB-33 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 33 (VP-33) on 1 April 1942, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 33 (VPB-33) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 7 April 1945.

Squadron Insignia and nickname:

The first squadron insignia was a design originally approved for use by VP-5S. It consisted of a conventional pair of Naval Aviation wings superimposed on a silhouette of the Western Hemisphere and symmetrically

contained in a compass rose. Colors: geographical areas, dark blue; wings, conventional gold; compass rose, red with blue inner ring and black line outer circle. The insignia was frequently referred to as

“Wings Over Panama,” in deference to the squadron's home base in the Panama Canal Zone during the first period of its existence. This design was not officially approved for VP-33 because it was still in use by the

former VP-5S that had gone through numerous redesignations since 1931 and was known as VP-32 and VPB-32 during World War II. It is one of the few instances known where the same design was in use by

two active squadrons at the same time.

VP-33 was destined to become one of ten well-known Black Cat squadrons operating in the South Pacific during WWII. After reaching the combat zone and being assigned its unique mission, the squadron submitted a new design to CNO. This insignia was approved on 17 April 1944. The black cat, the central character of the design, was shown armed with a telescope and depth charge and superimposed on an enlarged cat's eye. Colors: background, black; eye, orange and lemon yellow; cat, black with yellow outlines; eyeball, yellow; pupil, green; telescope, blue and white; depth charge, light blue with black markings.

This insignia was used by the squadron until its disestablishment in 1945.

Nickname: Black Cats, 1943–1945.

Operational history

*1 April – July 1942: VP-33 was established at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, under the operational control of FAW-5, as a seaplane squadron flying the PBY-5A Catalina. Squadron training was conducted at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, until mid-July.
*9 July 1942: VP-52 was withdrawn from NAS Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, and replaced by VP-33. During this period the squadron came under the operational control of FAW-3 and was assigned duties of patrolling convoy routes, Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrols and ferrying supplies to advanced bases in the Caribbean.
*10 July 1943: VP-33 was relieved at NAS Coco Solo for return to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas and 15 days home leave with orders to report to NAS San Diego, California.
*15 Aug 1943: After a brief two-week period of refit with new aircraft and equipment, the squadron departed NAS San Diego, for a trans-Pacific flight to NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Upon arrival the squadron came under the operational control of FAW-2 and quickly deployed to Kanton Island. VP-33 conducted day searches toward the Gilbert Islands covering the occupation of Baker Island.
*26 September 1943: VP-33 was relocated to Funafuti, conducting day searches toward Tarawa

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