QANTAS Catalina on the way

Information about Pacific Theatre aircraft currently flying or under restoration.

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Andy in West Oz
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QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by Andy in West Oz »

Has anyone been following the Cat Qantas has acquired in Spain or Portugal? The jury's still out as to whether they'll fly her as a 'Double Sunrise' Cat or a post-war 'airliner'.

As of Oct 17, she was in Thailand with a few issues.

A few pics here:
http://www.qfm.org.au/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=10

The story is she'll be kept active rather than going static at Longreach. Wouldn't it be great to see three Cats in formation?
Andy Wright
Aircrew Book Review
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library - Jorge Luis Borges

rod mountford
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by rod mountford »

Hi the Cat has arrived and I saw it recently out at Bankstown. It is owned by the following organisation. http://www.catalinaflying.org.au/restoration.htm Cheers Rod

Andy in West Oz
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by Andy in West Oz »

Hi Rod

That's a different Cat that was in Australia before the QANTAS aircraft left Portugal. With the arrival of the QANTAS Cat, we'll have three airworthy ones here. How cool is that?

Andy
Andy Wright
Aircrew Book Review
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library - Jorge Luis Borges

Boba
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by Boba »

Having read of the three flying status Catalinas that will be in Australia once the Qantas aircraft arrives, just how many are there in Australia - including exhibits and where are they? I'll update the revised Darwin's Air War before it goes to the printer in the very near future.

With thanks in advance.

Bob Alford
Lampang Thailand

richard rudd
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by richard rudd »

See Classic Wings Issue #73... Catalinas Downunder.
As listed....Consolidated PBY-5A BuAer48352 c/n 1714 A24-88 Aust Nat Aviation Museum Morabbin Vic. Fuselage, ex Murray River houseboat
....PBY-5A 44624 1988 RAAFA Museum Bull Creek WA.
Canadian Vickers Canso 11060 CV-369 ex Geoterrex VH-EXG, to RAAF Museaum Pt Cook Vic as A24-104
....PBY-6A 46644 2008 to Qantas Founders Museum Longreach Qld.
Boeing Canada PB2B 44248 61554 A24-385 Gordon Taylor's Frigate Bird II. Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.
.....PBY-6A 46665 2029. VH-CAT. For Rathmines Musuem, Lake McQuarie NSW.
.....PBY-5 08272 1186 A24-46 Private storage WA.
.....PBY-5 "A24-30" Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum Vic.
.....PBY-6A 46679 2043 "A24-362" HARS Albion Pk NSW.
And a couple more pvt Houseboats/ fuse relics.
HARS, Rathmines and Qantas machines to be kept flying.

cheers

Boba
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by Boba »

Many thanks Richard. I don't think amny would realise just how many there are remaining and certainly not the numbers in Australia. I'll update DAW accordingly.

Many thanks again and

Cheers,

Bob Alford
Lampang Thailand

richard rudd
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by richard rudd »

yes quite amazing how many. Will be good to see the flyers in action. The missions flown by the Black Cats to distant places, at low level in tropical
conditions at night, are incredible. Better have the nav and headings right !... or smack into an island, as some did. A dangerous enough game just doing that without the reception at the target end. Brave folk indeed.

Have a copy of DAW.. excellent pictures and a top read.!
I saw Toyoshima's BII-124 on Melville Island in '67. Shame so little of it made to the NT Aviation Heritage Centre.
Have some old pics somewhere.

rgds.

Andy in West Oz
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by Andy in West Oz »

Finally got to see a Cat flying when the HARS one visited Temora recently. Really hit home just how slow and long the RAAF mining trips were. Here's some average pics on a very hot and heat shimmery day:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Darwin's Air War?
Andy Wright
Aircrew Book Review
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library - Jorge Luis Borges

Andy in West Oz
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by Andy in West Oz »

Sorry for the double pic above. This is the one I meant to post:

Image
Andy Wright
Aircrew Book Review
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library - Jorge Luis Borges

richard rudd
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by richard rudd »

Nice pics What a graceful bird with those long wings. Will have to go someplace to see one in action. Bet it sounds good too.

Andy in West Oz
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by Andy in West Oz »

Sounds lovely. HARS apparently have a nose turret for her as well her look will change again eventually.
Andy Wright
Aircrew Book Review
I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library - Jorge Luis Borges

batman
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by batman »

The HARS aircraft appeared last month at the Williamtown airshow with its new nose turret. Looks great.

richard rudd
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Re: QANTAS Catalina on the way

Post by richard rudd »

Andy in the west. Re yr query Darwins Air War? under a Catalina picture. You'll see the name Bob Alford in an earlier post....
by him.
Large format soft cover book re the air raids, top read, excellent pics.
Aviation Heritage Centre Darwin has copies $25 +pp.
enjoy.

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