It’s been a busy and exciting year for the preservation of Consolidated PBY Catalinas and their many variants. Across the world, progress continues in restoring, relocating, and protecting these iconic flying boats, thanks to the dedication of museums, volunteers, and aviation enthusiasts. Drawing from a detailed report by the Catalina Society—shared here with permission—this update explores the latest developments in the Catalina community.
One of the most frequently asked questions is how many Catalinas are still flying. While the answer depends on how one defines “airworthy,” a reasonable guideline includes aircraft that have flown within the past 12 months and are in a condition fit for flight. Based on that standard, there are currently eight flyable Catalinas in the world. These include two in Canada (C-FNJE and C-FPQL), one in the United Kingdom (G-PBYA), and five in the United States (N2172N, N222FT, N9767, N427CV, and N9521C). Several more aircraft are in restoration or are potentially airworthy, with active efforts underway in Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Greece, and the U.S. At least three are currently for sale. The Catalina Society maintains a regularly updated survivors list on its website for those interested in tracking each aircraft’s status.
In Australia, two noteworthy developments occurred this year. The famed PB2B-2 Frigate Bird II (VH-ASA) was relocated from the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) at Albion Park. Dismantled and removed from its long-time suspended display, the aircraft was transported by road during the early hours of August 20, 2024. It arrived at Albion Park at 3:00 a.m., where it was reassembled and is now displayed inside the HARS hangar, resting securely in a cradle. This move is welcome news for Catalina enthusiasts, especially as the Powerhouse Museum undergoes redevelopment. Whether Frigate Bird II will return to Sydney remains to be seen, but many believe HARS could provide a more fitting long-term home for the aircraft. Also in Australia, PBY-6A VH-EAX was repositioned at the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach, Queensland. Previously exposed to the elements, the aircraft was moved under a large open-sided canopy in October 2023 to join other preserved Qantas aircraft in a more sheltered environment. Although not an original Qantas Catalina, VH-EAX is painted in the livery of G-AGIE Antares Star, one of the five aircraft used in the legendary wartime “Double Sunrise” flights. The museum’s effort to better protect this aircraft has been widely applauded.
In Indonesia, a PBY-5A previously registered as N1563M has been on display at the Dirgantara Mandala TNI-AU Museum in Yogyakarta since the early 1990s. Initially painted in blue to represent an Indonesian Air Force aircraft, the Catalina was later repainted white and now bears the serial PB-501. Though no active restoration is underway, the aircraft is kept under partial cover and remains a significant exhibit.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, concerns persist over the condition of PBY-6A L-866/8466M at RAF Museum Midlands in Cosford. Once housed indoors, the aircraft was moved outside several years ago and now shows signs of deterioration. Although it was briefly included on the museum’s “loans list” to explore relocation possibilities, no viable offers emerged. The museum removed the aircraft’s fabric control surfaces to prevent further damage and continues a program of dehumidification to slow degradation. While there are no plans to transfer the Catalina permanently, officials suggest that any full restoration or return to indoor display won’t occur until after 2027.
Across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand, Canso A ZK-PBY remains grounded at New Plymouth, but there are plans to relocate the aircraft to Hamilton, where improved maintenance facilities are available. Volunteer engineers are working steadily to prepare the aircraft for a ferry flight. In February, the team was awaiting the return of an overhauled carburetor and sourcing two replacement fuel boost pumps. Although the aircraft is still listed for sale, it is not currently being actively marketed.
(Photo: Pierre-Etienne Langenfeld)
In the United States, restoration efforts continue at varying levels. At the Palm Springs Air Museum in California, the Wright Cyclone-powered “Super Cat” N31235 remains in storage with no outward signs of progress. However, museum officials confirm that plans are underway to restore the aircraft for static display by 2025. More encouraging news comes from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where American Aero Services is undertaking a detailed restoration of PBY-5A N459CF, originally BuNo 2459, for the Collings Foundation and American Heritage Museum. The exterior work is nearing completion, but the interior restoration presents an enormous challenge. With very little original equipment remaining, nearly every interior component must be either located or fabricated based on original drawings and photographs. Project Manager Casey Littrell and his team are producing work of exceptional quality as they aim to return the aircraft to an accurate 1942 wartime configuration.
Further north, the story of PBY-5A N423RS has taken yet another turn. Previously stored at several UK airfields and then dismantled at Biggin Hill in 2014, the aircraft was shipped to the U.S. and spent time in outdoor storage before being moved to Hudson Valley Regional Airport in New York. The Tunison Foundation had intended to restore the aircraft, but the project was abandoned due to cost and logistical setbacks. In December 2023, the Catalina was sold to John O’Connor, owner of airworthy Canso A N222FT. O’Connor now plans to restore N423RS to flying condition. Some restoration work had already begun, with approximately 60% of the wing center section completed before the original project was paused.
Finally, in Europe, PBY-6A HK-2115P arrived from Colombia in 2018 and is now housed at Meidl Airport in Hungary by Rare Bird Aviation Ltd., an Austrian-owned company. While few public updates have been shared, recent photographs confirm that at least the aircraft’s hull is stored indoors. Whether the Catalina will be restored to flying condition or remain a static exhibit is still unclear, but it appears to be a long-term project.
As 2025 approaches, the global Catalina community continues to demonstrate remarkable commitment to preserving this unique chapter of aviation history. Whether flying or on static display, these rugged, elegant aircraft remain symbols of endurance, ingenuity, and the power of collective passion. For updates and detailed aircraft records, visit the Catalina Society at www.catalina.org.uk.
