Operational History
Delivery of the PH-1 commenced in October 1931, equipping VP-8 from 1932, operating from the seaplane tender USS Wright and from bases at Pearl Harbor, Midway and the Panama Canal Zone. It was replaced by the Consolidated PBY-1 in 1937.
Production of the PH recommenced in June 1936 to meet an order for seven PH-2s for the US Coast Guard. These entered service from 1938, being the largest aircraft operated by the Coast Guard at that time. The Coast Guard ordered a further seven of an improved version, the PH-3 in 1939, these entering service in 1941.
The Hall flying boats were used by the Coast Guard for search and rescue duties and were fitted with specialised equipment to aid them in this role. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States entry into World War II, the remaining PHs were painted in U.S Navy Grey Green colours to replace the previous bare metal finish, armed, and used for anti-submarine patrols (particularly during the Operation Drumbeat U-boat attacks off the East coast of the United States in 1942) as well as continuing search and rescue operations. The Coast Guard continued operating the PH-2 and -3 until 1944.
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