When reading about the Saro Fryars works at Beaumaris I came across this passage.
“The Menai Straits provided excellent water for flying boat operations.
For three years there were flying boats stretching from the Gazelle down to Fryars Bay.”
http://www.anglesey-today.com/fryars-beaumaris-during-world-war-two.html
I understand that during the war Catalinas were brought here from the States and modified for RAF use.
This must have been some sight but I have been unable to find any pictures. Does anybody have any pictures or more information please?
By: longshot - 23rd February 2013 at 00:23
Here’s a Coronado supposedly on the water at Beaumaris and the one called Beaumaris in Bermuda straightened out (it was distorted by an ‘architectural’ movement photo and scanned squashed by the IWM I think)
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th February 2013 at 20:43
On a smaller scale ….
Just for interest the well known Falkland Islands Auster 5 VP-FAC was tested as a floatplane at Beaumaris by Auster Aircraft test pilot Les Leetham between 6-14 September 1949.
By: David Legg - 17th February 2013 at 19:45
I recommend the book Wings Across the Border by Derrick Pratt & Mike Grant (Bridge Books ISBN 1-84494-010-1) within which is a section on Beaumaris and the modification of Lend-Lease flying boats for RAF service. There are several photos showing flying boats (mainly Catalinas) at moorings and also a useful map of the entire area showing the location of the various rows of moorings, known as ‘trots’.
By: paul1867 - 17th February 2013 at 18:37
Longshot Thank you for your interest. It was the picture of the Mariner at Fryars in the local rag that first sparked my interest in this. I have found some interesting pictures and descriptions of Fryars but mainly about boat building. It was the minds eye image of flying boats lined up in the Strait that I wanted to see. I have tried Flight Archive, IWM and the pictures on the Flyingboat site, but as you suggest maybe I should ask the question on their forum.
Thanks again Paul
By: longshot - 17th February 2013 at 00:30
Here’s some starters…Google Image ‘Coronado Beaumaris’ gives a colour shot….maybe try ‘Seawings’ site, too?
AMERICAN AIRCRAFT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SERVICE 1939-1945: MARTIN MARINER.. © IWM (ATP 12363F)IWM Non Commercial Licence
AMERICAN AIRCRAFT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SERVICE 1939-1945: CONSOLIDATED MODEL 28 CATALINA.. © IWM (ATP 12693E)IWM Non Commercial Licence
AMERICAN AIRCRAFT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SERVICE 1939-1945: CONSOLIDATED CORONADO. © IWM (ATP 12692B)IWM Non Commercial Licence
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February 16, 2013 at 11:06 pm