Photos for Cat fanciers

[Brett]

Hi al,

Here are a few photos taken recently of the two flying Catalinas in Australasia.

The first is the PBY6a owned and operated by HARS in Australia. Previously based in Portugal, it arrived in Australia in 2003 and has been painted to represent one of the "Black Cats" operated by the RAAF.

The photo was taken at Avalon 2005.

These two photos are of the PBY-5a owned and operated by The Catalina Club of New Zealand. It arrived in New Zealand in 1994 from Zimbabwe.


The photos were taken at Classic Fighters 2005. In keeping with the 'France' theme of Classic Fighter 2005, the aircraft has acquired some temporary markings to represent an aircraft operated by the Aeronavale.

Cheers,

Brett

[airnutz]

OOOO...Daddy Like!!! Daddy Like!!! Please, may I have more, Suh???

[SPang]

Hello,

Thanks a lot for the pics.

Do you have more pictures of the Cat?

SPang

[airnutz]

Yes please...more? Black Cat and the Aeronavale...such contrast, and
unique too!!

Walk-arounds possible?

[tom d. friedman]

how many flying ww 2 stock pby's are out their?? by stock i mean totally complete with the nose gun housing........ you don't see to many with that feature anywhere!! remember, flying only!!! museum statics don't count.

[tom d. friedman]

speaking of french pby's....... what ever happened to the late ocean explorer jacque cousteau's pby??

[T J Johansen]

speaking of french pby's....... what ever happened to the late ocean explorer jacque cousteau's pby??

Crashed and sank in Portugal in 1979. Think Costeaus son got killed in the crash. Word is the Portuguese AF Museum salvaged the wreckage, but I don't know for sure. Revell had a nice kit of this plane. My local pizza place has one hanging on the wall which surely would do much better at my place...

T J

[JohnH]

That's right Philippe Cousteau was killed. It's mentioned
http://www.catalina.org.nz/n5404j.htm

The History of “NJ”, Catalina N5404J

N5404J, serial number 22022, was built by Boeing of Canada and had the RCAF Serial 9793. It was originally a Canso A (PBY-5A) but at the war's end was modified in Costa Rica to 28-5ACF status. Its blister windows were removed. It had R1830-94 engines. It was never used as a water bomber. Ownership changed hands at least eight times. Registrations have included: YV-P-APE, OB-LDM-349, HK-996X, HP-289, HR-236, N6108, TG-BIV, N5404J. It took part in the ill-fated "Bay of Pigs" operation in Cuba during which, while circling the invasion area and operating with the code name "Swan Island", its mission was to act as a communications relay aircraft. It was also used in making of the film Tora, Tora, Tora, flying in pre-war US Navy colours both as 24-P-4 and 24-P9 representing PBYs from VP-24 based on Ford Island, Pearl Harbour. It was hired at one time by renown marine biologist Jacques Cousteau on one of his ventures (Jacques Cousteau’s son, Philippe was killed in PBY-6A Catalina N101CS –"Flying Calypso" in a water landing accident). N5404J's last registered owner was The Catalina Company (NZ) Ltd under which the registration ZK-PBY was reserved but never taken up as the aircraft forced landed and sank in mid-Pacific early on January 14, 1994 during a ferry flight to New Zealand. For the whole fascinating story order a copy of Catalina Dreaming from this site today!

[Brett]

OK, here are a couple more photos of the NZ Catalina.

I found the black Cat difficult to photograph because it was, well, black.

Sorry, no walk arounds. Are you after a particular detail?




Cheers,

Brett

[airnutz]

Thanx Brett!!! Details? Yes, I am always happy when folks present a
unique recent or vintage photo, but find myself squinting to see the details
in an otherwise grand experience. Noseart, crew list under the cockpit
window, registration#....and also in this case, the artwork aft of the main
"undercart".

As for the Black Cat...yup their black..but in certain surroundings or light
details,.. patterns will reveal themselves. And they always look great
landing on water. Brett, this is no critique..I just have a certain "jones"
that needs scratchin'. Come-on Lottery!!!

Again..Great Shots..thanx..

[Brett]

Airnutz,

As mentioned in an earlier thread, I significantly decrease the resolution of the photos I post to reduce the bandwidth requirements and to make them less attractive for unauthorised commercial use (stealing).


Here is the nose of the Black Cat.

The logo on the NZ Cat is a sponsorship logo for Mainfreight, a transport company.


The Black Cat is not currently able to do water landings. I understand that it requires a reasonable amount of work before that is possible. The NZ Cat has done water landings in the past, but I don't know if it is permitted to do them currently. The only water landing photos I have of the NZ Cat are taken from the inside. Sorry.


Brett

[hairy]

For those who are interested,here is some pictures of the other PBY at Ardmore.


This came from the infamous auction at Moses Lake (one of the few lots sold, rather than withdrawn) as a source of spare parts for the Catalina Club PBY, ZK-PBY.

[airnutz]

Bret, oopps my bad..I forgot about the resolution/security thang. The
noseart on Aeronavale says Mermaid? Black Cat..Felix the Cat..of course!

Thanx for the bones and guts Hairy! Someone elses "new" project a few
years from now...Dollars and desire make us do strange things...
What's the story on the star-n-bars insignia remnant on the bow? What
bird was this. I'll surf the Moses Lake auction...

[Brett]

Airnutz,

The nose art on the NZ Cat reads "Magnifique".



Cheers,

Brett

[airnutz]

Ahhhh...Magnifique, nice touch on the Tri-Color mermaid tail! Is Magnifique
an example of vintage noseart..or is this a modern contrivance?
Thanx Brett