OK, they finally showed up. Departed Brisbane 17 Jan, got to area, no pilots. Sank a merchant, refuel, rearm at Tulagi. Go back to area Jan 29, find two pilots. Leave and come back on 1 Feb and find 4 more. Mission complete, I am out of here.
I won't even talk about how the pilots drift faster than a merchant cruises or that my crew is useless at a rescue.