(Image Credit: RCMPT)
(Image Credit: RAAF)
While RAAF Base Rathmines served as a base for nearly every type of amphibious aircraft and flying boat used by the RAAF including the Curtiss SOC Seagull, Douglas Dolphin, Supermarine Walrus, Short Sunderland, Martin PBM Mariner, Dornier Do 24, Short S23 Empire and the Vought OS2U Kingfisher, but it is the Consolidated PBY Catalina that is held most dear by Australians.
Between 1941 and 1952, the RAAF operated a total of 168 Catalinas, flown by four front line squadrons, two communications units and three air-sea rescue flights. In January 1952, after the war, the Catalina was declared surplus and the RAAF ceased operating seaplanes and RAAF Base Rathmines was used as a ground-training base and ceased operation altogether in 1960/61, deeded to the Lake Macquarie Council.
(Image Credit: Mike Usher / Catalina Flying Memorial)
RCMPT Registrar Penny Furner says the purchase of the Catalina PBY-5A was a real coup. “Catalinas are very hard to come by and this is one of the models that flew out of Rathmines during the war,” she said. “It will make a marvellous static display for our proposed museum and will boost our efforts to secure government support for the project. We want to build a fitting home for VH-CAT and the PBY-5A so anyone interested in wartime history or aviation can come and see these wonderful old aircraft first-hand.”
The acquisition of the PBY-5A Catalina was paid for with money raised by the Trust through donations and community events such as the annual Rathmines Catalina Festival. At the time of this writing, crews from Australia are on site in Puerto Rico, disassembling the amphibian for shipping to Australia.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
Hello from Venezuela, that plane operated for several years in my country (YV registrations). We are happy to see that the restoration will be a reality.
Aircraft data:
8412 (c/n 1774) civil identities (oldest first) were N10024, N96R, YV-P-EPX, YV-P-EPZ (Orinoco Mining Company), YV-O-CFO-4, YV-56CP, YV-585CP, YV-485C (Rr 1973), now N7238Z.
Alejandro Irausquin
Aeronautical Engineer / Latinoamerican Aviation Historian
AVER / LAAHS
Vi muchas veces despegar ese Catalina y el Canadair que lo reemplazó desde mí casa en Alta Vista en Puerto Ordaz.
Me alegro mucho de que esté siendo rehabilitado.
Thanks for that data, Alejandro.
We’ll be monitoring the progress of the restoration and will keep you updated on its progress.
Roger
There’s definately a lot to find out about this issue. I like all of the points
you have made.
I am a pilot/A & P was working and going to school at Burnside-Ott at Tamiami Airport near Miami Florida in 1985. I have a great photo of PBY # YV585CP when she was in airworthy condition. I would be happy to forward it if interested.
Regards, Capt. Dave Walker
I WILL BE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT PIC
David, I will really appreciatte that picture
[email protected]
David, it just took me 9 years to see your comment! Please, I would love to get a copy of that picture!
My brothers PBY 5A headed from Miami to Cavanaugh Flight Museum?
Maybe I’ll finally get a ride in it, painted the top of the wing 20 years ago in FTL. It was like painting a double tennis court. Cessna SkyMASTER taxied by in the AM, in the early evening we were still painting, he taxied up and asked us if we noticed anything different about his plane: The belly pod had been knocked off by a CG Falcon jet practicing intercepts over the Gulfstream!! His passengers luggage was spread out in the Gulfstream, he called the FTL TV station and they were interviewing him with us in the background. We mooned them but fortunately the cut just as we dropped Trou, Mother was watching the 9 o’clock news and wouldn’t have been pleased
Hello Les.
Great story!
I flew with your brother a couple of times! Great guy!!
Greetings, Heijo Kuil.
I did not quite realize these boats are from 1933 design. I only thought nifty of it, like the Albatross they are, would fit nicely at our auction bought Lake Payette in Idaho. They say the house there used groveling to Sanderson, or really named Sid Anderson.
Used to be named Sanderson, or Sid Anderson.
Is there really a Clyde Adams out there? My best mate of same name, passed away in Perth Western Australia some years back.
There was also a Sid Anderson there, ran a 16 cylinder speed car from his city motor business. Jim
I am a PBY and seaplane enthusiast.Jim.
Great to see that gorgeous bird come back to life, even if it’s only a static display and far from it’s former home. I’m an A&P mech that worked for Airborne Express (DHL) and American Eagle out of San Juan, PR. Tony’ Tiri’s original plan was to restore it to airworthy condition and he had an open request for any mechs available to volunteer. I was interested but had a full time job and a family to feed. A resto like that is a major maintenance evolution not to mention the expense. Maybe some day I will get to see her again, Down Under…..
Keep up the good work mates and kudos for this great endeavor.