Calling for help locating an flying western US PBY

wendovertom · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2015 4:56 pm

I am looking to find a POC for a flying PBY that might be able to attend a veterans reunion in late September this year. If you can send a PM to me I would appreciate it!

Thanks,

Tom P.

Sasquatch · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2015 2:34 pm

You might try the Flying Fireman of Spanaway, WA, who keep Tanker 85 at Arlington Airport, WA. I believe they keep it in flying condition, and I last saw it do a water drop at Paine Field in Everett, WA about 2-3 years ago.

http://avionops.com/aircraft_operator.p ... N&state=WA

Hope this helps; good luck!

-Tom

David Legg · **Joined:** Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:07 pm **Posts:** 338

See http://generalaviationnews.com/2015/05/ ... 7675-24165

for an update on that particular Catalina ...

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2015 4:30 pm

David Legg wrote:

See http://generalaviationnews.com/2015/05/ ... 7675-24165

for an update on that particular Catalina ...

Sounds exciting but wouldn't it make more sense to use MAM's PBY since its already in WWII configuration? And in that area? Seems like Tanker 85 is about as far from stock as you can get.

phil65 · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2015 4:49 pm

From the article "A total of 56 men were saved."
Maybe by the PBY alone...?

Phil

Speedy · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2015 5:05 pm

You can try someone at the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, OR. They recently got their PBY flying again.

Sasquatch · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2015 5:41 pm

David Legg wrote:

See http://generalaviationnews.com/2015/05/ ... 7675-24165

for an update on that particular Catalina ...

Thanks David; I wasn't aware the PBY had left Arlington. I do hope it returns, as it's been fun having it around here.

-Tom

wendovertom · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2015 9:08 pm

Thanks everyone! This is for the 509th composite group reunion and since we cannot get fifi I would like to have a plane the veterans would be familiar with and the PBY definitely fits that bill. I am hoping to make it a great final reunion for them.

Tom P.

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2015 10:19 pm

Warbird Kid wrote:

Sounds exciting but wouldn't it make more sense to use MAM's PBY since its already in WWII configuration? And in that area? Seems like Tanker 85 is about as far from stock as you can get.

Chris, This PBY is still able to do water pickups, hence it is probably still certified for water landings, something a lot of museum PBY's don't have. This film most likely needs a PBY that can land and taxi on water.
Jerry

Warbird Information Exchange

Calling for help locating an flying western US PBY

Who is online