Warbird Information Exchange

Has any one ever attempted to salvage, at least gain permission to salvage the PBY Catalina N5593V that's abandoned In Saudi Arabia? It would be great to at least see it preserved and put in an indoor display, but the cost would be so high just to do that. I hate to see this rotting away

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

Probably about 40 years too late.

Only thing left worth saving might be the nose area for someone wanting to retrofit a turret on another plane.

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

ouch, now that is pretty far gone. . . .

Tom P.

Where's Barry Meguiar when you really need him? 'that'll buff right out'

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Some bastards stole the wing supports a few years back causing that...

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My racing will fund my warbirding. Hopefully...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/ChristopherDeshongRacing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisDRacing

Yeah, because it'd be in great condition if the struts were still there!

Cheers,
Matt

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Matt Austin - playing with warbirds since the early 80s.

See my Lee-Enfield videos at - http://www.youtube.com/user/Jollygreenslugg

I think it should be preserved in place so people can see it in the year to come before it is completely dissolved.

Would it not be neat to set out a camera location and take pictures over the years to provide a time-lapse video as it melts away?

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Kevin McCartney

The Camera would be stolen!!!!!

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My racing will fund my warbirding. Hopefully...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/ChristopherDeshongRacing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisDRacing

Where in Saudi Arabia is it Located?

See it here on Google Maps:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&t ... 06947&z=18

An enterprising modeler has made a pretty good replica (except he forgot the faded N number) from the old 1/72nd scale Airfix kit:
http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/ ... pic=262979

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

I know of an organisation that sought, and was given permission to remove parts from the aircraft, subject to certain requirements, (which were fair and reasonable), along an offer of assistance to do so, however the required parts were sourced elsewhere and obviously in far better condition and so that project did not proceed.

However the reality is the airframe is in a salt water environment and of little worth as a display (other than as a curiosity "as is") and certainly unlikely to survive in any form given the costs and process to preserve it even "as is" (which would be much like the electro-chemical process planned for the Dornier Do-17 about to be recovered in England, without dealing the physical transport costs), and of course that could in no way be justified to preserve a very poor condition PBY when so many others are already in preservation.

Regards

Mark Pilkington

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20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"

What about saving the cockpit/forward section? When I was about 10, I knew of this airplane and I sent a letter to the Saudi Embassy in DC asking for permission, never heard from them.... I would've given it a good home if they let me

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

Kinda sad knowing it looked like this not too long ago