4 June 1942: The convoy is contacted by PBY P-12; one of eleven VP-44 launched from Midway that morning on a search/strike mission. CHITOSE launches three two-seat "Pete" fighter float biplanes to intercept the flying boat. They engage P-12 at 500 feet and shoot it down into the sea. Lt (j.g.) Robert Whitman and four of his ten-man aircrew are lost.
In a first, Japan offers to sell aircraft to India http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-a-first-japan-offers-to-sell-aircraft-to-india/876950/0 It is learnt that the Japanese government has granted permission to ShinMaywa Corporation to respond to a global request for information by the Indian Navy. Sources said the company has offered an aircraft named ShinMaywa SS 3 I in response to a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Navy.