PBY at Villavalencio Colombia

[SaxMan]

If this is the same plane that I'm thinking of, the asking price was $120,000 last year, but I believe the price has come down because the government wants the plane out of there.

[tom d. friedman]

when I went to punta cana / Dominican republic I was going to take a martini break & go warbirding by hiring a driver. I was strongly advised by members of this board & domincan citizens / resort staff not to do so. I complied. that area is just to unstable for more than American gringos.

[CoastieJohn]

when I went to punta cana / Dominican republic I was going to take a martini break & go warbirding by hiring a driver. I was strongly advised by members of this board & domincan citizens / resort staff not to do so. I complied. that area is just to unstable for more than American gringos.

Good call. It's the curse of the gringo. When stationed in BQN we would stop in Santo Domingo for a "gas-n-go" . We of course were in our USCG helo and our flight suits with the usual USCG identifiers. Military/police guys in uniforms and machine guns escorted us to the heads to do our business. A bit of anti-American graffiti was on the wall. Quickest whiz break ya ever seen. I wouldn't be surprised if where this PBY is would be similar.

[davidwomacks]

Why do they hate us? What has the US done to them? I honestly don't know which is why I'm asking .

[CoastieJohn]

Why do they hate us? What has the US done to them? I honestly don't know which is why I'm asking .

To be fair, it's not all but enough to where you have to be cautious and have good situational awareness of your surroundings.

The reasons...probably a few.

1. The Dominicans and Haitians get deported back when they get caught trying to sneak into PR or US. Been there a few times doing that.
2. We cut into their drug trade. BTDT too.
3. Maybe some frustration with their situation, maybe some jealousy.
4. Plain old crime.

Columbia where the PBY is at would be a little more complex due to the drug trade and radical groups. If I were involved with the movement of that plane, I would either keep a very low profile while disassembling it or pay to have someone disassemble it and move it to a shipping point.

[WIXMOD-Charlie]

No politics on WIX please guys.

[CoastieJohn]

No politics on WIX please guys.

Sorry...I didn't see that as political. I was just relaying my experience and observations from working down there and how I would approach the PBY in question.

[Warbird Kid]

No politics on WIX please guys.

Sorry...I didn't see that as political. I was just relaying my experience and observations from working down there and how I would approach the PBY in question.

Ditto, it wasn't really anything more than what the current situation is with REGARDS TO RETRIEVING VINTAGE AIRCRAFT.

[camshaw]

i have an american flag flying above my house! lol. is that political too? lmao. back to the pby!

[gary1954]

No politics on WIX please guys.

Sorry...I didn't see that as political. I was just relaying my experience and observations from working down there and how I would approach the PBY in question.

Ditto, it wasn't really anything more than what the current situation is with REGARDS TO RETRIEVING VINTAGE AIRCRAFT.

wasn't anythin political as far as I saw and corncur with you guys

[PbyCat-Guy]

Colombians don't hate us, the Drug Cartels there and in Mexico love us because we keep buying their product to make them rich. The average farmer doesn't care if he grows bananas or coca leaves, his concern is income to support his family.... Most parts of Colombia are not bad to be in. Just don't wear a big watch, have a fat wallet, and keep the USA ego in check, like in the rest of the world.

Hopefully it will be saved. I'm going back there with my wife to visit her family, so I will try to take some pictures and do some more investigation into it.

[camshaw]

this pby is a job for Gary Larkins!..........the air pirate, where is he when you need him....wonder how much he would charge to go get it for me?

[Chris Brame]

I don't know myself....someone else may though.

Been talking offline with some smart folks who are very knowledgeable on these things. The thought is the various plates on it make it suspect as to the authenticity of it being what it says it is (BuNo 34012).

I was wondering about that since (a) 34012 is a -5, not a -6, number and (b) see the Registry: http://www.warbirdregistry.org/pbyregis ... 34012.html

What's involved with changing a -5 tail to -6? Is it a bolt-on deal?

[CoastieJohn]

I don't know myself....someone else may though.

Been talking offline with some smart folks who are very knowledgeable on these things. The thought is the various plates on it make it suspect as to the authenticity of it being what it says it is (BuNo 34012).

I was wondering about that since (a) 34012 is a -5, not a -6, number and (b) see the Registry: http://www.warbirdregistry.org/pbyregis ... 34012.html

What's involved with changing a -5 tail to -6? Is it a bolt-on deal?

Here's some more info I received on deciphering the plates (emphasis - not this airframe) and might answer your -5 to -6 question.

First off, even though it has a tall tail, IT IS NOT A CONSOILDATED PBY-6A......!

BUNO 34012 was one of a batch of 100 PBY-5A machines manufactured under a contract for the USN (BUNOs 33960 - 34059) of which a total of 31 went directly to the USAAF under serial numbers 43-43839 thru 863 and 43-47956 thru 962 as OA-10-COs.

BUNO 34012 "WAS" a former USCG PBY-5A/-5AG machine. It entered on duty with the CG on 02/11/46 and remained operational until 03/21/52, when it was listed as retired & sold as surplus to the needs of the USCG.

Based on my experience with ID plates, it would appear the machine went to the RCAF where it was modified with the replacement of the vertical tail feathers. It also appears the tail mod was completed by Canadian Vickers as the plate shows the type aircraft as a model 28B - - - the internal Consolidated Aircraft Company model designator for their tall-tail PBY-6A model. It also appears that the basis for the mod was based on drawings provided by Consolidated. Additionally, the "Vickers' Plate" displays the approval stamps of the CV and RCAF inspectors. Canadian Vickers Limited was a major producer and modification facility of the Canadian PBY machines with their airframe types identified as PBV followed by the model number.

The next plate indicates that the aircraft was modified in Atlanta, GA by CONVAIR, or an agent of same in March 1955. This mod most likely consisted of the de-militarizing of the entire airframe (removal of nose turret, waist blisters, addition of the rear air-stair, and other items the new owner(s) desired.

The next plate, in Spanish, was most likely added to the airframe by the Colombian Air Force after they became the owner of the machine. The date on that plate indicates the year 1994.

[Tulio]

FWIW, here's my translation of the data plate in Spanish.

Original:
Fuerza Aerea Colombiana
Comando Aereo de Mantenimiento
Reensamblaje / Inspeccion especial efectuada
a las 4818:40 horas
Avion Catalina Modelo PBY-6A
Serie 34012
Madrid Sept 1994

My version in English:

Colombian Air Force
Aerial Maintenance Command
Reassembly / Special inspection conducted
at 4818:40 hours
Airplane Catalina Model PBY-6A
Serial 34012
Madrid (Colombia) September 1994

Saludos,


Tulio