Catalina PBY Flying boat-Flying this beauty on a Spring evening

[wonwinglo]

For sheer flying enjoyment you cannot beat a Catalina PBY,you do not need water either to fly from because they will take off and land from grass easily as that fuselage shape slides through the grass,with a wet grass its even easier,my Catalina is now over five years old and has made over 600 flights even flying from snow which is such good fun,being close set the motors do not have any asymetric problems it flies like on rails as can be seen from these pictures,touch and goes look spectacular plus low fly bys,just keep the speed up to prevent a tip stall and stay within those flying parameters and you will be fine.



The Catalina airborne after a few feet run in a gentle breeze.



Hold on the bank as she climbs out again.



What a shape in the sky !



In for another pass.



The sun goes down but the Catalina keeps flying.



Climbing for height for some gentle stall tests.





And the end of a perfect evenings flying with the classic Catalina as she comes into land.

[Guest]

Yes they are lovely looking aircraft Barry & have quite a history.

One of I think 8 found the Japanese invasion fleet at Midway which allowed
the USA aircraft carrier aircraft to get at it.

Also a Cat which found the position of the Bismark resulting in her sinking.

In Jersey here we have a Battle of Britain day in September. Fo a number of
years a Catalina came over. It took passengers for a run a around the island.

Dopey dick here did not take up the offer.

Laurie

[wonwinglo]

Yes they are lovely looking aircraft Barry & have quite a history.

One of I think 8 found the Japanese invasion fleet at Midway which allowed
the USA aircraft carrier aircraft to get at it.

Also a Cat which found the position of the Bismark resulting in her sinking.

In Jersey here we have a Battle of Britain day in September. Fo a number of
years a Catalina came over. It took passengers for a run a around the island.

Dopey dick here did not take up the offer.

Laurie

Laurie I was in Jersey that year for Battle of Britain day and remember the Catalina well,you brought back such happy memories for me especially as my wife was alive then and we had a great time on the island,thank you.

[Guest]

Laurie I was in Jersey that year for Battle of Britain day and remember the Catalina well,you brought back such happy memories for me especially as my wife was alive then and we had a great time on the island,thank you.

First time I had taken much notice of the Catalina. Went out bought one & built it.
Great kit & great lines on the aircraft.

The Jersey show as you know is 2.5 hours long. We live on the waterfront. Darn it the arrows
fly directly on top of our flat cannot see a thing.

But I can certainly hear them. God what a din.

All the aircraft are herded into a corner of the airport & you can visit & walk around them.

The Red Arrow pilots were there. I expected them all to be young fresh faced slim. But surprised
they look liked middle aged guys many bald (not their fault) & not thin. But very lively guys.

Laurie

[minitnkr]

Great pics. Thanks for sharing. PaulE

[Mini Me]

Barry, Nice photos. My now deceased friend Harold Hanson, piloted these ships during WW2 and had plenty to say about their flight characteristics. Particularly when taking off in "choppy water". He said it was all he and the co-pilot could do to keep the control column from beating them to death before they broke surface and were able to get airborne. It took real men to fly these birds successfully without the aid of computer enhanced flight controls. Thanks again for the nice photos and bringing back memories of an old and dear friend. Cheers, Rick H.

[Fernando N]

Very nice flying one Barry.:thumb2:
Always great to see the Cat's profile lumbering trough the sky.
Last Sunday our local Catalina made her last flyby's for Liberationday.:sad:
Following engine troubles and lack of funds she was sold of to her new state side owner.
Passed out on the oppertunity too to catch a ride, but maybe sometime in the future...