Warbird Information Exchange

Good to see work progressing.

Latest news on Catalina is now available thanks to VH-CAT member John Goldsbrough ... Not a lot has been done due to the wet weather early and then the wind at Bankstown airport. Volunteer Terry Woolard did some work in the turret with the "plumbing'. Volunteer Tony Pitt's mob are manufacturing the securing lock devices for the water doors. The window in pylon has been reinstalled. More repairs have been done to the hydraulics with a new flexible line to be installed by Tony Pitt.

Latest news is the next Catalina Festival at former RAAF base Rathmines, Lake Macquarie has been scheduled for Nov 9 2013.

Going on the massive success and interest in the 2012 event hopefully maybe we might see 2 Catalinas fly in to this event.. time will tell what is going to happen.

More details will be released as they are finalised in 2013...

Courtesy of John from CFML, we have some more details on what has been done to CAT since last update -

* Last week all the cowlings were prepared after refixing the rubber seal and punching holes to receive locking devices.

* More work in removing some hydraulic/fuel hoses.

* Examine pumps under co pilots seat for any leakage of hydraulic oil.

* One “bomb”door has been secured by Air Ag, must get second signed off by a CAR 43 person.

* Hydraulic tanks topped up.

Due to heavy rains work has not been happening on some weekends.

Hot of the press from working on the Catalina today .. latest update is now available.

A very wet and windy conditions today which hindered working. John describes the following advances to CAT -

* Air Ag have completed the “bomb doors” closure and they are sealed and a “CAR 35” Certificate has been issued.

* Lifting jacks have been prepared for a welder to attach an additional plate under the metal hooks, providing the greater height, to ensure safety.

* Engine tank inspection plate for Port Fuel tank removed. This has revealed some corrosion to some struts inside. However due to a large panel on top of the wing providing good access, Dave Sieber says that the problem is not a major one.

*Dave continued preparing a new patch for the Starboard side, where corrosion meant a box like section had to be removed.

If anyone is interested in supporting the restoration of VH-CAT Catalina flying boat for the Catalina Flying Memorial Limited dont forget the webpage at http://catalinaflying.org.au and facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/38244348751 . Volunteers to assist the project are welcomed.

Any donations and interested membership also will help get this Catalina flying sooner than later... so it too can become another reminder of the legacy of the RAAF WW2 Catalina operations.

Latest news and photos is available at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 752&type=1

Latest news now available online - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 752&type=1

I'm hearing the PBY that was for sale on EBay a few weeks back maybe heading to Australia. Have you heard anything about that?

Today after the Easter break volunteer work has continued on CAT and John fills us in with tasks such as -

*Unloader valve reinstalled and pumped to 300 PSI, no leakage yet evident.

*Walkways measured for relining with marine ply.

*Oil priming system being readied for installation.

*We have found that as we need to attend to the Feather Pump, we will have to drain the engines oil. Maybe see how it is and filter it , if OK. Alternatively replace with new oil.

* Landing lights , being tested and Perspex covers cleaned.

*Electricals have been worked on during the week.

Anyone interested to donate, help or assist in anyway should get in touch with CFML,so the big Cat can return to the air sooner.

We have more news from John on VH-CAT progress - items worked on in last 2 weeks include -

*Finished fabrication of parts for drain cowl. Primed cowl & parts ready to rivet together

* Continuing to remove hoses port engine

*Refurbished fuel drain hoses refitted in pylon

*New adaptor for feather pump made

* Installed fire sleeved hoses on port engine

* Port propeller removed –ready for testing when that workshop can accept the job
Photos here
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... t=2&ref=nf
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... t=1&ref=nf

*Fuel filters replaced on bulkhead

*Two fuel filters removed for refurbishment, now installed

* More hoses taken out of starboard engine. (Note. More hoses yet to be removed for refurbishment) they will be done as one “job lot” for efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Many other jobs are in course of completion.

If interested to become members and support VH-CAT to fly again maybe help by donating or consider becoming a member of the project or helping out anyway you can offer - visit the webpage at http://catalinaflying.org.au/ for more information or download a membership form from http://catalinaflying.org.au/Volunteer% ... 202012.pdf.

We have new photos to share from May 11 20213 working bee on the Catalina at Bankstown Airport where various work was done, volunteers were active and parts were donated to the project as well - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 752&type=1

Latest update courtesy of John -

Ray Molyneux observed last week “two or three lines in the Maintenance Manual” -can translate into hours if not sometimes days of work!

He is finding the work he is involved in with the many pipes and lines to be extremely time demanding. Often time consuming modifications have to be made to get them to fit.

However: Elevators-fabric repair has been done.

Fuel lines: Port and Starboard sides done.

Oil lines: similar also work in progress.

Engine lines: Removing and replacing

Lifting Jacks: redesign and reengineering, necessary to ensure they fit exactly into position and are also strong enough-Terry Woolard is handling.

Donations and sponsors are still welcomed to the project if anyone wishes to help get VH-CAT back flying as a memorial to the WW2 RAAF Catalina operations.

We have more news on progress on VH-CAt to share with you .

Craig Hickey has joined Ray Moloneaux and already his efforts are showing value.

Details of some of the more recent progress:

Removed lower cowl flap Port Engine. To gain access to feathering hose for removal.

Also removed fire hose from Starboard engine.

Manifold pressure and priming hoses.

Removed corroded skin on lower rear section of Port wheel well.

Removed corrosion & remake and repair skins as above.

Removed spark plugs from Port engine-continued 100 hourly service.

Fabricated and repaired skin panels and primed.

Finished cleaning spark plugs.

Cleaned damaged area of fuselage.

Rain hampered external work.

Ray has kindly updated us on what the volunteers have done to the Catalina lately -
* Skin repair completed wheel lower corner port side of fuselage.
* Skin repair starboard side of fuselage started.
* New section of skin fabricated for above repair. Work in progress.
* 100 hourly inspection completed both engines.
* Cowl repairs both engines completed.
* Pre- oiling pump installation completed for both engines.
* Fuel selectors installed in pylon.
* Fuel strainers installed in pylon.
* Propeller removed awaiting inspection,(Delay due to work load,Eric will
advise when he able to carry out work.)
* Installation of engine hoses close to completion,some fuel lines still to
be installed.

Latest news is for a donation of $25 or more you will be eligible to receive an E-Book copy of either "Cats At War" by Coral Gaunt & Robert Cleworth or "The Fabulous Catalina" by Robert Cleworth. Please email philip@dulhunty.com to nominate and request your copy.