The Soaring by the Sea Foundation’s PBY-5A Catalina, Princess of the Stars, is currently grounded in Arlington, Washington, after experiencing an engine failure during a recent flight. The aircraft now awaits an engine overhaul and installation, a task the foundation hopes to complete with the help of public support. A fundraising campaign has been launched via GoFundMe (click here), aiming to raise $100,000—with the first $50,000 being generously matched by a dedicated donor.
Originally built in 1943 by Boeing Canada as a Canso A, this historic flying boat served in the Royal Canadian Air Force under serial number 9767 until 1946. After military service, it entered civilian life and spent decades fighting fires across Canada with operators like Canadian Pacific Airlines, Northland Airlines, and Avalon Aviation—flying under the registrations CF-CRR and later C-FCRR. The aircraft’s firefighting career came with drama, including a crash during a water pickup in Saskatchewan that left it temporarily submerged. Retired in the late 1980s and later featured in the French TV series Operation Kavango, the Catalina was brought to the U.S. in 2010 and finally acquired by Soaring by the Sea LLC in 2019. For a detailed history of the aircraft, check out its profile at Aerial Visuals.
The Soaring by the Sea Foundation is committed to restoring and flying vintage aircraft with documented combat histories. “We strive to restore aircraft as close to their original wartime appearance as possible,” said Coy Pfaff. The foundation is also deeply involved in veteran outreach and youth education, regularly hosting STEM events and open houses to inspire the next generation of aviators. Their collection includes other significant warbirds, such as a combat-tested Skyraider and another PBY Catalina with military service history. The recent addition of “Currawong” nose art to their P-40 continues this mission of honoring aviation heritage with authenticity and care. To support the restoration of Princess of the Stars and learn more about their work, visit www.soaringbythesea.com.
