Catalinas in the Waikato?

[Dave Homewood]

I found an article in an old Waikato Times dated 6th of April 1988 which is a plea from RNZAF Warrant Officer "Smokey" Dawson who was then in charge of the team that were restoring the RNZAF Musuem's Catalina at Whenuapai.

He said that most of the RNZAF's Catalinas were transpoted by train to the Waikato before they were scrapped.

He reckoned that they were dispersed all over the countryside around the Waikato and he was hoping parts might come forward for the restoration after this plea. His theory was that Catalina parts were probably "holding up kiwifruit vines near Pirongia."

My questions here are who scrapped them? Most of the Catalinas, according to adf.serials.com/nz.serials, were broken up at Hobsonville. So I guess they were cut up and then transported south. But to where? Rukuhia's smelter? Or elsewhere?

Also, is anyone aware whether 'Smokey' Dawson's plea brought in much in the way of Catalina relics? I found out not too long ago there was a Catalina float in a drain on my uncle's farm at te Rore, near pirongia. It's probably still there but that piece of land they sold off so it may not be.

[Dave Homewood]

My question is answered. John Scullin just sent me the folowing info:

"I think I did read on your " thread " someone wishing to know where were the Catalinas scrapped. Jim Larsen tendered for those and they were cut up and railed down to Rukuhia, and suffered the same fate as all the other aircraft - I went up with him and grabbed a few bits and pieces at the same time. There were some Sunderlands there as well but they were not in the deal. He also tendered for some Catalina parts - bulkhead doors - the gun blisters etc they were sold to a few folk around the Waikato - as a matter of fact there must be a ton of "stuff " as I mentioned before sitting around the area from the Stores Board sales - and Valentines Shop in Hamilton. The foreman at Rukuhia was Jack Kaye and he used to work for an engineering firm in Cambridge owned by a Mr Von Hartich ( Spelling ? ) The firm developed a loading system for Super and the Aerial top dressing industry Jack Kaye was very clever with adapting the aircraft parts for commercial use. Just a bit of Trivia Dave - John."

Thanks John!

[30sqnatc]

Off the original topic but in the vein of reusing aircraft parts - how about this rail wagon transporter


Built in Dannevirke in late 1950's using eight Mosquito wheels. In the aritcle I have written in 1991 it was still in existance stored on a local farm.

I have the remains of a 1:32 Mosquito kitset on the junk box in the garage. Never know one day I might make 8 copies of the wheels .....