The Catalina Flying Memorial is an initiative to acquire, restore, and bring to Australia a Catalina amphibious aircraft. These were designed in the 1930’s and only a few still exist in the world. A 1945 model PBY6 aircraft has been acquired that was last used as an aerial fire-fighting water bomber in Portugal.
You can learn about the progress of this initiative, and about these aircraft in general, at the newly updated Catalina Flying Memorial Ltd website.
The group has passed this on to Thirty Thousand Feet:
Following the unfortunate events of last month, it was decided to replace both engines in situ before attempting any more flying. It was originally planned to overhaul the engines after the aircraft arrived in Australia and before taking any passengers. Although this option is costly, “new” engines will naturally add to the value of the aircraft.
While we have put out our feelers in the search for new engines, any assistance would be greatly appreciated. We need two Pratt & Whitney 1830-92 radial engines and, of course, money with which to purchase and install them. So if you can help with our search and/or the provision of funding, please contact Philip Dulhunty ((02) 9870-7277, e-mail Philip@dulhunty.com).
Help them out if you can!
3 comments:
Certainly an interesting undertaking. My father used to be an engineer on the P&W's way back. The best source of Pratt & Whitney radials is probably right here in South Africa. You might find Zero Hours motors that have found their way from Mozambique to SA, or, contact the Havard Club of South Africa as they have (I saw them with my own eys) crated newish motors in their hanger in AFB Zwartkop, Pretoria. I would like to include the restoration of this famous aircraft type in the e-magazine le Cirque Volant. I had the honour of a flight in a Cat from the Zambesi River and I recall that the actual aircraft is now in Duford, UK.
Paul Lindenberg
EDITOR le Cirque Volant
Be sure to see the current newsletter at http://www.catalinaflying.org.au/currentnewsletter.htm.
i see the raaf is retiring the dh caribou.these aircraft use a twinn row wasp engine,as do some dc3 and super dc3.also is this the cat being restored at albion park rail?
i worked on one of these aircraft at hawker pacific hagar bankstown in late 60 early 70 period.aircraft was painted cream and green and was being cofa for use by an american company based in darwin.i often wondered what happened to this a/c
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