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Post by ZacYates on Jul 8, 2022 11:56:27 GMT 12
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Post by campbellbox on Jul 9, 2022 10:10:01 GMT 12
Definite feeling of a changing of the Warbird ownership guard happening at the moment. The Catalina has been such a great, reliable fixture of the airshow scene. Always a delightful sight and sound. I trust Chris Snelson has incorporated some of these shots into the sales brochure. historydaily.org/flying-yachts-of-the-1950s |
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Post by Damon on Jul 10, 2022 11:52:46 GMT 12
NZ Catalina News Update July 2022
The New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society Incorporated has operated the PBY-5A Catalina ZKPBY for over a quarter of a century, more than a third of the aircraft’s existence. As custodians of New
Zealand’s iconic WWII flying boat, the group have supported community events across the country,
educating the public in the role the aircraft and crew played whilst also allowing people to experience
the spectacle of New Zealand’s largest flying Warbird. The society have also raised funds and
awareness of the charity it supports The Child Cancer Foundation and in doing so have enabled families
with children, undergoing cancer treatment, to experience the pleasure of a flight in the Catalina and
bring joy to them during tough times. The sponsored Cancer kids flights have been a highlight for both
the society and families coming to enjoy a once in a lifetime exciting adventure.
Recent world events have challenged the ability to generate funds supporting the objectives of the
society with the cancellation of several significant community events over the last 28 months. The
society, a non profit organisation run by volunteers, recognises the increased challenges community
event organisers face to sponsor the aircraft to attend regional events
Meanwhile the aircraft has been maintained in an airworthy condition and has been regularly serviced
with continued volunteer and financial support from the membership. The aircraft has been subject to
continued engineering improvements during the inactive period.
It is envisaged the Catalina is able to fly for many more years to come.
The society has the long term welfare of the aircraft as its prime objective and has elected to sell the
aircraft whilst remaining in good airworthy condition, being one of only a handful of active PBY-5A
Catalinas in the world. It is unique amongst the active Catalinas, having a full passenger configured
interior which is a significant feature.
The aircraft will shortly be advertised for sale on the international market.
It is hoped the aircraft can be retained in New Zealand and continue to remain active. To that end there
has been an initiative to form a syndicate to purchase the aircraft and potentially house it in the Waikato.
The Catalina Group is no longer scheduling any further activities for the aircraft.
The New Zealand Catalina built by Canadian Vickers in Cartierville near Montreal, Canada for the
Royal Canadian Airforce as a Canso A. It came on strength with the RCAF in March 1944 and served
until 1947. It was converted to a civilian Catalina in the mid 1950’s and flew with several Canadian
operators serving remote communities as a passenger, freighter and supply aircraft.
It became famous as the “Last African Flying Boat” in the feature BBC documentary capturing the
antics and challenges of operating a vintage aircraft during route proving flights before starting tourist
safaris on expeditions along the River Nile. It was purchased by the New Zealand Catalina Group in
1994 and in October of that year travelled its last epic journey flying from Zimbabwe to New Zealand in
14 days. Despite only being registered in three countries this Catalina has travelled to 40 countries in
most continents and is possibly the world’s most famous travelled Catalina.
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 10, 2022 18:42:51 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 11, 2022 9:12:59 GMT 12
Should I have started this thread in the Preservation subforum? Anyway: Audio link here |
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Post by harrysone on Jul 11, 2022 15:02:50 GMT 12
Definite feeling of a changing of the Warbird ownership guard happening at the moment. The Catalina has been such a great, reliable fixture of the airshow scene. Always a delightful sight and sound. I trust Chris Snelson has incorporated some of these shots into the sales brochure. historydaily.org/flying-yachts-of-the-1950sThis is what happens when you have a government that effectively closed the country down (and for a period of time misplaced the key!). large heritage aircraft (especially) like the Catalina do not run on just love unfortunately. They consume a lot of resources! With Avgas even now costing $3.80/L and spiraling inflation/labour costs and no real prospect of any revenue earning flights it has become time (unfortunately) for the NZCPS to call it a day. 'PBY certainly isn't the first warbird to go on the market and likely won't be the last It has been a pleasure and a privilege to crew and be on the operating committee of this wonderful flying boat for the past 22 years. I wish Neil Young the very best to set up a new Catalina Syndicate and will help support them any way that I can |
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 14, 2022 17:29:07 GMT 12
I hope you can be involved with the new venture Harry!
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via Kitty Hawke on Facebook 05/07/2022 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
