Another Catalina flying boat is coming to Australia – for Rathmines Museum

Agreed TonyT.. and sincere thanks to Daniel, for his many posts here on this “Open” forum.. your enthusiasm, and tenacity, are very much appreciated… cheers mate !

The Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Trust or RCMPT wishes to let us all know the following news about their Catalina WW2 era flying boat project which is slowly coming over from South America via USA to Rathmines, NSW as a static exhibit for a future museum. The RCMPT spokesman John Richard has provided us this update to latest progress.

“A brief email to share the good news: a) The wing – tips are on their way b) The fuselage was loaded into the barge that will take it to Jacksonville, FL, USA – then the fuselage will be shipped via road to Savannah, GA to take a vessel to Australia.

These pics are the loading for shipment to Jacksonville, FL. USA.

The RCMPT wishes to have noticed the tireless work of Enrique Alvarez, from Vector Global Logistics in Atlanta Georgia, USA who has put in huge hours to assist the project here in Australia by doing everything and more to help with the transport of the aircraft.”

Photos online here https://www.facebook.com/phil.buckley/posts/10201289583941251

Update from Rathmines – “Thank you for all the likes & comments & the great interest in this project. The Trust is very appreciative of all your comments etc.. If any of you would like to assist us with a donation towards the shipping of ‘Our Girl’, it would be greatly appreciated to help us offset the cost which was a bit above our first guesstamit Banking details are: account # 282206073 BSB # 012842 A/C name: The Rathmines Memorial Park Trust Gift Fund.
Again, our deep appreciation for all your support in this historic project.”

Daniel, thanks for the updates, you do not seem to get many responses, but they are appreciated.

Agreed TonyT …”Daniel” can be a polarizing personality but he certainly posts some interesting stuff…thanks from me too mate.

Daniel, thanks for the updates, you do not seem to get many responses, but they are appreciated.

Latest news is the Catalina is basically nearly all ready to leave for Australia and will be shipped over and then the hard part begins with a suitable cover and a rebuild…

We have a update on http://philbuckleytravels.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/new-catalina-flying-boat-for-australia-rathmines-catalina-memorial-acquires-a-catalina-2/ – see the July 1 2013 PDF file link.

A brief press release was published in the Australian Pilot / AOPA magazine warbird section, out on sale this week, updating people to this new project.

We have an update for you to share – http://philbuckleytravels.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/new-catalina-flying-boat-for-australia-rathmines-catalina-memorial-acquires-a-catalina-2/

More news to share – the commencement of work to strip out interior, (first of 12 sequences), has been authorised. The dismantling of various sections in preparation for shipment will follow.
The team expect to return to San Juan in 3-4 weeks to over see final preparations in readiness for shipment.

Another update on the progress http://www.lakesmail.com.au/story/1470003/catalina-bought-for-rathmines-musuem/?cs=750

Also if you wish to help donate you can send money to their bank account if interested

Full name of organisation is – RATHMINES CATALINA MEMORIAL PARK TRUST,
ABN 23 400 220 598 .
We are a registered charity and donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Bank details for direct deposits at any ANZ Bank or online –
a/c name – RATHMINES CATALINA FUND
a/c # – 267010435
BSB – 012 842

Keep your receipt details for tax purposes.

Seems the press release has had a good result as the Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Trust has received much interest in last 24hrs coming from US, UK and Australia and media it seems…..

That’s a good result ! Pitty we didn’t have a similar ending to the Weston Catalina!

PBY-5A N7238Z

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Consolidated-PBY-5A-Catalina/1650334/L/&sid=da178f06a693af1f507c9c8af00a2669