Frigate Bird II

[nuuumannn]

Suspended from the ceiling of the excellent Powerhouse Museum in Sydney is PB2B Catalina VH-ASA, named Frigate Bird II.











The aircraft's story and a walkaround: warbirdswalkaround.wixsite.com/warbirds/single-post/2016/11/27/Frigate-Bird-II-A-Wandering-Cat

[johnnyfalcon]

Wow! That is a really impressive exhibit!

[Ian Warren]

We have a member at NZFF who really has followed the history of Captain P.G.Taylor and this aircraft, I do have a few good articles I could add as well, Brilliant Posting

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Earlier this year, I managed to acquire a copy of P.G. Taylor's book Frigate Bird from a book dealer in England.

For a book published (and printed) in 1953, it was in surprisingly good condition and even came with a relatively undamaged dust jacket, with just a little bit of roughness around the bottom edge. I've since put a single-fold clear cover over the dust jacket to protect it.

I'm not going to say what I paid for the book though, 'cause some of you would think I'm a wee bit mad.

I haven't got around to reading it yet, but I will eventually....it's in the queue of “to read” books.

[nuuumannn]

I'm not going to say what I paid for the book though, 'cause some of you would think I'm a wee bit mad.

Sounds to me like you have the same affliction as me, KTJ; I do appreciate the joy of acquiring and reading books. I take books to read during my breaks at work and one of the guys suggested I get a kindle (Makes raspberry sounds with mouth).

Thanks Ian; I've not read PG Taylor's book, but it's a fascinating story. I remember visiting the Powerhouse Museum not long after it first opened - it's a really interesting place and I remember thinking how spectacular the Catalina looked.

[Peter Lewis]

Australian P G (Bill) Taylor served in the RFC during WW1, and was then active in Australian aviation circles until his death in 1966.

He was a highly experienced floatplane and flying boat pilot, having operated a DH Moth seaplane from 1928. After various early airline and trans-oceanic pioneering flights during the 1930s he crewed in the first flight across the Indian Ocean from Port Hedland, Western Australia, to Mombasa, Kenya, in the Catalina Guba II on 4-21 June 1939.

While involved in the trans-Atlantic ferry during the early stages of WW2 he planned a new air route across the South Pacific, from South America to Australia. Given the endurance of the aircraft then available, this involved refuelling at several isolated islands that lay across this route.

Crucial to this route was Clipperton Island, a isolated pimple of coral some 1000km off the South American coast. Taylor's first task was to reconnoiter this island, alighting there in a Catalina he flew from Mexico. By setting up a fuel dump on this island he could then eventually depart from there for Bora Bora, in French Polynesia and so eventually reach Australia.

The book Forgotten Island, which Taylor wrote in 1948, describes the political, technical and practical challenges he faced in carrying out this flight during the second half of 1944 in an RAF Catalina named Frigate Bird - VH-ASA is named Frigate Bird II after this original aircraft.

As the Pacific Ocean had been declared an American sphere of operations and Taylor was effictivly a civilian operating an RAF lend-lease Catalina, he ran into all sorts of political challenges. Clipperton itself, uninhabited since 1917, had mixed ownership, with sovereignty claimed at various times by France, Mexico and the USA.

The book itself is well written and makes absorbing reading. The amazing skills required to operate a flying boat in such an isolated area and the courage in deliberately setting out on a three thousand mile flight from Clipperton to Bora Bora with fuel for 25 hours across an almost uncharted ocean while knowing the flight would take more than 27 hours and trusting in his own life and that of his crew on his uncanny ability to find favourable winds with which to extend the range is almost beyond belief.

I bought this book second-hand, and after reading it I turned straight back to the beginning to read it a second time. It may be hard to find a copy in your local library or a second-hand book store. Try and find it, you will not regret the effort. It truly is that good.

"I felt the air control come through the ailerons, and as she picked up speed I eased gently into the turn, taking the weight on the aileron to hold the wingtip just clear of the water.

She was going all right. I knew it then, by the clean run of the water and the tightness of the aeroplane. As I straightened her up for the run down the western reefs, I saw Birk's hand go forward with the throttles, giving her everything, now that she could use it.

She blew the water under the hull, riding clean, but not yet flying. I could see the stain of shallow water on the Grand reef coming closer, rushing in towards her now; but she had to go. She was confident, singing with a million voices in high-pitched harmony to take her away over the reef. I reached up and gave her a touch of tail trim, feeling the fine balance of approaching flight. The wing had her now, knowing it could take her from the water.

I made no effort to lift her, but rode with her, letting her know I was there and ready to help her break away when she was ready. As the shallows of the reef swept in below, she had the water beaten. It was time to go. I took a light tension on the control column and lifted her away.

Brushing the last of the water from her hull, the air took her with a smooth release to the sudden freedom from the sea. I felt the current of freedom flow in from all infinity to centre on the aircraft and, with some intense high frequency, charge me through the touch of my hands on the control wheel. "

Forgotten Island by P G Taylor, published by The Shakespeare Head, 1948

[errolmartyn]

A baker's dozen of pre-loved copies of the book 'Forgotten Island' that Peter mentions can be found for sale on bookfinder.com

A real steal at prices ranging from a mere NZ$320 to $1370!

Errol

[planecrazy]

Great pictures a a famous Catalina.

PG Taylor or Bill as he was known to the islanders flew converted RAAF Sunderlands with
Trans Oceanic Airways to and from Lord Howe island for around six years. Below a piece
he wrote about a take off perhaps from Lord Howe Island's lagoon or perhaps from one
of the many islands her flew to in the south pacific. A loverly piece which I think captures
the take off of a big boat from a reef enclosed lagoon.

Bird of the island’s
She passed the entrance islands and opened out into the great lagoon
the wind was steady from the east offering herself for the take off.
The moon was drawing the ocean to the time of high water and the
swell was coming in over the reef.

I sat and watched the swell as we ran through the pre-flight checks
then I let her come round and up into the wind she faced the lagoon
for a moment of contemplation then I gave her full power.

The swell was there but harmless she protested a little bit but that was
only to let her know her mood slight backward pressure on the control
column restored her equilibrium and suggested a way of escape to the
air. She responded with confidence and was soon running light and true
upon the surface. A touch of tail trim and I broke her away when she
was ready.

PG Taylor also did this.........
Gordon Taylor (aviator)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

During the 1935 Australia-New Zealand airmail flight with Charles Kingsford Smith,
the starboard engine failed and the crew decided to return to Sydney, where the
aircraft was buffeted by strong winds. It was decided that fuel and cargo must be
jettisoned. During these conditions, Taylor made six journeys outside the cabin of
the Southern Cross, climbing along the under-wing strut to drain the oil from the
useless motor and transfer this to the overheating port motor. Taylor's actions, with
the addition of Smith's flying skills, resulted in the plane making its way back to land
safely. Taylor was later awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal for his actions, which was
later exchanged for the George Cross. During the Second World War Captain Taylor
served as a ferry pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). Taylor was knighted in 1954.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

That book Forgotten Island by P G Taylor has been on my list of “desired” books for quite some time, and copies do come up for sale occasionally (I keep an eye out using Biblio.com and AbeBooks.com), but good-condition copies tend to be horrendously expensive. However, if I ever spy a copy of the book that is in reasonable condition and not totally over-the-top in price, I'll swoop. It's just a matter of playing the waiting & watching game....all good things eventually come to those with plenty of patience.

[errolmartyn]

Nov 29, 2016 18:53:20 GMT 12 kiwithrottlejockey said:

That book Forgotten Island (I keep an eye out using Biblio.com and AbeBooks.com)

bookfinder.com brings up Biblio.com and AbeBooks.com holdings as well as those of zillions of other bookdealers worldwide. One click does it all, really.

Errol

[harrysone]

There is a current biography of PG Taylor on the shelves (at least in Australia) it's 'The Man Who Saved Smithy' a very good read by Rick Searle. it summarises the life of PG Taylor and all of his achievements

One of PG Taylor's daughters (the youngest from his second marriage) once flew with us on the Catalina in Wanaka, I think it was in 2002, I recall she really enjoyed the experience and saw it as a chance to get closer to her father.

[Mustang51]

I have had the privilege of actually assembling and working on Frigate Bird when she was displayed at the Camden Museum of Aviation. And the walls could speak. Just marvelous to sit inside her by oneself and just think. PG's daughter Gai is also a good friend and she runs the annual Evans Head "Great eastern Fly In" in January. Wonderful lady, full of beans and keen as mustard on aviation and all things flying!

[Dave Homewood]

When James Kightly and I visited the Powerhouse Museum last year it was nice to see this aircraft, but I was overwhelmingly struck by the unusual way that they display their aeroplanes, hanging several stories above ground level. For some reason I felt really, really uncomfortable about it. One reasonable shake and the Catalina would fall several stories to its death. I'd much prefer seeing something like that at ground level where you can walk around it without suffering vertigo on balconies.

[planecrazy]

Yeah I have thought the same Dave, I heard a while ago they where thinking of closing
the Powerhouse Museum down, haven't heard anything since, just hear-say I guess?!

Just found this article so looks like the old Frigate Bird will be moving.
www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-11/plans-for-powerhouse-museum's-parramatta-move-to-be-unveiled/7315054