New Catalina flying boat has arrived - flown - into Oz

[Liberator]

A sign of progress and hard work - a new Catalina flying boat has finally arrived in Australia after a very dramatic and long drawn out journey across the globe.

Orginating from Europe as an ex Spanish firebomber.... and travelling across the globe... the Catalina sadly spent nearly 2 yrs in Asia due to major problems with engines issues
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With major engine problems seeing it stuck in Asia for a long long time, the volunteers worked hard to see it return to the air and recently got the old Catalina working again and she left Asia arriving in Australia just in the last few days.

The Catalina has been acquired for the Qantas Air Museum at Longreach - in mid north west Queensland - and is to once restored in WW2 Qantas colours, take its place alongside a Dc-3, Boeing 707 and Boeing 747 which already are on display as tribute to Qantas heritage since 1921 when it started.

The Catalina was used by Qantas in WW2 to fly from Australia to Ceylon (India) in trips that saw the famous 2 sunrises.... due to the length of the time airborne and under strict radio blackout.

This Catalina may according to reports continue to fly around Oz after restoration or it may just head direct to the museum.

A restored Constellation is also rumoured to be heading one day to Longreach.
Qantas used the Connie for global transport in the 1940-1950-1960s.
As a indication - most of the aircraft are flown into the museum.... so another flying Constellation could be down the track for Australia.

[Fouga23]

Great news!