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Post by harrysone on Jul 13, 2014 17:04:38 GMT 12
Hi all, Here is a release today from The NZ Catalina Preservation Society regarding the status of the aircraft: July 2014 Progress update on the refurbishment and overhaul of New Zealand’s Catalina ZK-PBY.Work on the aircraft in New Plymouth has been progressing at a significant rate with the main sections of the wing superstructure near completion. The main engineering requirement was the replacement of extruded trailing edge attachment angled flanges. Replacements were obtained from original suppliers in California, USA and these have now been attached to the wing superstructure. A replacement strut has been purchased from Australia and a second strut is being sourced. Other spot corrosion on the skins of the wings have been removed and repaired. Meanwhile the floats, float arms and attachments have been overhauled. The work on the wings is near completion with main sections corrosion proofed and ready for painting. Work is now underway on the fuselage and hull which has been soda blasted ready for any remedial repairs and priming. A significant amount of the paint stripping and less technical labour has been undertaken by a dedicated group of volunteers under engineering supervision. This has been a tremendous cost saving exercise and their efforts are highly valued. This has allowed the society to fiscally and diligently manage precious funds for work that required outsourcing. The Catalina Preservation Society has so far raised over $200,000 in donations, grants, merchandising sales and fundraising for the project to return ZK-PBY to airworthiness. However, The Catalina Preservation Society requires another $50,000 to complete the final engineering requirements. The society hopes New Zealand’s aviation minded community and individuals will support our cause by making a donation for the return of ZK-PBY to our skies. The New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society is a registered Charitable entity allowing donations to be tax deductible. Donations can be made on line via our website www.nzcatalina.org.nz/ or by post to PO Box 72-527, Papakura, Auckland 2244.      |
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Post by Richard Wesley on Jul 13, 2014 18:27:50 GMT 12
Wonderful photos and wonderful update, great to see and hear of the progress. Look forward to when she takes to the skies again!
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Post by baz62 on Jul 13, 2014 19:02:12 GMT 12
Thanks for the update, it will be great to see this Catalina return to our skies (and airshows!) Well done!
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Post by harrysone on Jul 13, 2014 19:47:22 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 13, 2014 22:02:11 GMT 12
It's nice to see the update Harry. Regarding donations, has the group made an approach to Owen Glenn? He's a very rich philanthropist who's very Pacific-minded, and the Catalina is one of the great symbols of the developing Pacific islands in my view.
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Post by vs on Jul 13, 2014 22:26:18 GMT 12
Great progress! Is that lighter blue the paint that the airplane came to NZ with? Is the airplane going to be kept under cover from now on?
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Post by harrysone on Jul 14, 2014 8:16:19 GMT 12
yes, its the Peter Stuyvessant Odyssey colours worn by the aircaft in 1993-94, other shots show underlying paint that dates back till at least 1980 (Air Caledonia in BC Canada). Whatever paint scheme she finally winds up in will mean a great big weight saving, she has shed something like 300 kilos! We are definitely aiming to get the aircraft under cover for its long term preservation, I'm aware that discussions are afoot at a couple of airfields (Tauranga/Mercer)at this stage. ...anyone know how to get in touch with Owen Glenn?  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 14, 2014 12:05:53 GMT 12
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Post by typerated on Jul 14, 2014 19:56:34 GMT 12
Any tentative thoughts on when you might be back in the air?
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Post by harrysone on Jul 15, 2014 23:13:38 GMT 12
Tentatively end of 2014 but too early to say...we'd like to make Omaka
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Post by ZacYates on Dec 24, 2014 11:14:59 GMT 12
Harry and co, how was progress over Winter? I'm guessing flight this year isn't likely but that's ok :-)
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Post by ErrolC on Jan 28, 2015 18:26:43 GMT 12
From Warbirds Over Wanaka 23.1.15 www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/latest_news.html Wanaka: New Zealand’s only airworthy Catalina Flying Boat is set to make a triumphant return from major refurbishment work at next year’s Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow. ZK-PBY has been a favourite at Wanaka for a number of years, especially when she lands on the lake, but was missing in 2014 because of extensive work to repair the wings and fuselage of the 70-year-old aircraft. The work has been carried out in Brett Emeny’s hangar in New Plymouth by members of the New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society at a cost of around $250,000. Brett says it’s great to see an end to what has been a major undertaking and the plan is to have the Catalina airborne later in the year. “We’ve done all the structural work on the wings and fuselage and all that remains are some fabric repairs on these two sections. We’re also taking advantage of some fine weather to work on the tail which is poking out the hangar doors.” “Then there’s a fair bit of re-assembling work to do and we’ll need to get it weighed and re-certified before we can take her out for a test flight.” Brett says the plan is to have the Catalina make her first Airshow appearance since the refurbishment began, at Wanaka 2016. It will be the first time the aircraft has displayed at Wanaka since the 2010 event. Warbirds Over Wanaka Event Manager, Mandy Deans says they’re excited about having ZK-PBY display next Easter and being available for the public to book rides. “We get regular calls from people asking if the Catalina is going to be at WOW and it’s great to be able to tell people now that yes, subject to final availability, she will be here,” said Mandy. It’s expected the Catalina will be taking the public on flights during the airshow but also on the Rides Day which will be Monday, March 28th. “Rides Day gives people the opportunity to enjoy the airshow and then stay on for another day to take a flight in the Catalina and other aircraft,” said Mandy. Meanwhile, if you would like to help The New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society they are always very grateful for any donations. The Society is a registered Charitable entity allowing donations to be tax deductible. Donations can be made on their website www.nzcatalina.org.nz or by post to: The New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society, P. O. Box 72-527, Papakura, Auckland 2244. |
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 30, 2015 8:22:50 GMT 12
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Post by flyinkiwi on Jan 30, 2015 9:12:33 GMT 12
I've put off going for a flight in the Catalina for far too long. Time to tick it off the bucket list.
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 30, 2015 11:08:56 GMT 12
I did it at Omaka in 2007 - dressed as Howard Hughes! - and loved every second. I can't recommend it enough.
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Post by raymond on Apr 20, 2015 21:32:35 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Apr 21, 2015 16:07:50 GMT 12
That's the same article Errol shared in January. Warbird History Online seems to be cornering the market where old stories are concerned.
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Post by harrysone on Apr 29, 2015 9:42:39 GMT 12
Latest Catalina News (Webmaster is on Holiday, so I will pre-empt): Work on the aircraft has been progressing at a steady pace. Engineering work on the outer RH wing (the original problem) is complete. As is engineering work on the LH wing, the centre pylon section, fuselage and tail! Corrosion around the strut area caused some initial delay until an engineering peer review and Department inspection cleared the way for an approved repair scheme. This work and the 4 struts are all complete. The struts removal became a “mission” as all were frozen solid after 70 years in situ. The pulling and inspection of all 4 struts was timely as one had a full penetration crack through the connecting clevis tongue. Fortunately we had a new strut end in the Ardmore container. Work on the trailing edge fabric sections of the wing is in progress. Engineers have already patch repaired the LH side aileron assembly, the inner transition section and completely recovered both sides of the major LH trailing edge section. This is the biggest fabric job of all is preparing to tape and rivet (2000!) all of this to the ribs.  The Catalina fuselage, hull and metal wing assemblies are all primer painted, ready for finish painting. Hatches, fairings, cowlings, nose gear doors and wheelwells have all been corrosion treated and crack repaired as required and prepped ready for priming. During and among all of this repair work the crew have also done an extremely thorough “Annual” on the Cat. Control lines, push pull tubes and bearings and all of that stuff that is normally hidden away has come in for attention and repair if required. Reassembly of the LH side wing float assembly and trailing edges will commence shortly. The completion date gets put out further as we work as well as we can within our limited financial resources. We are now targeting Easter 2016 for Wanaka if enough funds have been generated. To date over $250,000 has been raised but we need $50,000 to complete the work. Please help us achieve our goal and return this living historic aircraft to New Zealand skies. Donations greatly appreciated. |
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Post by ZacYates on Apr 29, 2015 12:29:24 GMT 12
Thanks Harry, come payday some more Zac$ will come your way. Thanks for the update, I can't wait to see her fly again.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 13, 2015 14:42:39 GMT 12
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