Today i spent 4hrs interviewing some of the volunteers behind the other main Catalina project in Australia, the Catalina Flying Memorial.This project’s PBY Catalina project has been based at the Bankstown airport undergoing repairs for 5years nearly and is requiring a fair bit of sponsorship, support and volunteers by the end of the year to reach a looming and very important long term goal.
On November 3 2012 the CFM is hoping to hold its regular Catalina Festival at the former RAAF Rathmines bases north of Sydney (1hr driving). At this 6th event, they are wanting to try and fly into the lake, their Catalina in for the first time since 2008.
The resources needed for this end of year project goal, is requiring tho to get to this back to flying stage, significant funds – $100,000 – $150,000 is needing to be raised or found from donations and sponsors.
Work on hydraulics, aircraft systems and airframe parts also need to be approved before she can refly.
It can all be done. Some of the planned work is needing some of the money to be raised, so they can bring in specialists to fix some of the items needing overhaul etc.
The volunteers are also seeking to further raise the project profile, aims, goals, create ongoing interest and importantly attract more donations from people wgo are interested in warbirds and especially Catalinas.
Some people maybe not be aware but the Catalina in WW2 was to Australia, what the Spitfire was to England… a frontline and important aircraft.
RAAF Catalinas operated as far around Korea and Japan during WW2 i have been told…showing the reach the RAAF took them too in attacking the Japanese military.
As part of this record and preserving history, there are current 7 Catalina in Australia – 1 flying, 1 been restored back to flight status (CFM)along with another 1 maybe pending a decision in Qld. There are 4 others at various museums on display covering from Sydney, country NSW, Melbourne and Perth.
At the former base, RAAF Rathmines, the other half of the project alongside the Catalina is to create a new museum and build a new hangar to house the Catalina at the former seaplane base in the future. There is much local support for having a Catalina based on the Central Coast of NSW.
An interesting fact that some may not know, is the flight engineer was located in the middle of the Catalina on a seat hanging from the upper fuselage at the wing level, so he could control the engines. He had 2 small windows looking outwards as a viewing indicator.
I will be putting together a story for the Australian Pilot magazine to raise the project profile further and hopefully be in print before September. The story will also go on my various webpages.
If anyone is interested in become a member or donate or help anyway visit the CFM webpage for further information – http://catalinaflying.org.au. They can also be followed at facebook link – https://www.facebook.com/groups/38244348751/
By: Daniel - 14th July 2013 at 13:10
Just advising I have today stepped down from my volunteer role in sharing any more news on this project and will let others do this if they want to share news.
By: Daniel - 14th July 2013 at 03:01
Latest working bee photos are now online – https://www.facebook.com/groups/38244348751/
By: Daniel - 3rd July 2013 at 11:01
Latest news is for a donation of $25 or more you will be eligible to receive an E-Book copy of either “Cats At War” by Coral Gaunt & Robert Cleworth or “The Fabulous Catalina” by Robert Cleworth. Please email [email]philip@dulhunty.com[/email] to nominate and request your copy.[ATTACH=CONFIG]218354[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]218355[/ATTACH]
By: Daniel - 17th June 2013 at 13:14
Ray has kindly updated us on what the volunteers have done to the Catalina lately –
* Skin repair completed wheel lower corner port side of fuselage.
* Skin repair starboard side of fuselage started.
* New section of skin fabricated for above repair. Work in progress.
* 100 hourly inspection completed both engines.
* Cowl repairs both engines completed.
* Pre- oiling pump installation completed for both engines.
* Fuel selectors installed in pylon.
* Fuel strainers installed in pylon.
* Propeller removed awaiting inspection,(Delay due to work load,Eric will
advise when he able to carry out work.)
* Installation of engine hoses close to completion,some fuel lines still to
be installed.
By: Daniel - 26th May 2013 at 14:10
We have more news on progress on VH-CAt to share with you .
Craig Hickey has joined Ray Moloneaux and already his efforts are showing value.
Details of some of the more recent progress:
Removed lower cowl flap Port Engine. To gain access to feathering hose for removal.
Also removed fire hose from Starboard engine.
Manifold pressure and priming hoses.
Removed corroded skin on lower rear section of Port wheel well.
Removed corrosion & remake and repair skins as above.
Removed spark plugs from Port engine-continued 100 hourly service.
Fabricated and repaired skin panels and primed.
Finished cleaning spark plugs.
Cleaned damaged area of fuselage.
Rain hampered external work.
By: Daniel - 23rd May 2013 at 11:08
Latest update courtesy of John –
Ray Molyneux observed last week “two or three lines in the Maintenance Manual” -can translate into hours if not sometimes days of work!
He is finding the work he is involved in with the many pipes and lines to be extremely time demanding. Often time consuming modifications have to be made to get them to fit.
However: Elevators-fabric repair has been done.
Fuel lines: Port and Starboard sides done.
Oil lines: similar also work in progress.
Engine lines: Removing and replacing
Lifting Jacks: redesign and reengineering, necessary to ensure they fit exactly into position and are also strong enough-Terry Woolard is handling.
Donations and sponsors are still welcomed to the project if anyone wishes to help get VH-CAT back flying as a memorial to the WW2 RAAF Catalina operations.
By: Daniel - 14th May 2013 at 10:43
We have new photos to share from May 11 20213 working bee on the Catalina at Bankstown Airport where various work was done, volunteers were active and parts were donated to the project as well – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151474401493752&type=1
By: Daniel - 11th May 2013 at 08:33
We have more news from John on VH-CAT progress – items worked on in last 2 weeks include –
*Finished fabrication of parts for drain cowl. Primed cowl & parts ready to rivet together
* Continuing to remove hoses port engine
*Refurbished fuel drain hoses refitted in pylon
*New adaptor for feather pump made
* Installed fire sleeved hoses on port engine
* Port propeller removed –ready for testing when that workshop can accept the job
Photos here
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=586471781371009&set=o.38244348751&type=1&relevant_count=2&ref=nf
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=586471584704362&set=o.38244348751&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf
*Fuel filters replaced on bulkhead
*Two fuel filters removed for refurbishment, now installed
* More hoses taken out of starboard engine. (Note. More hoses yet to be removed for refurbishment) they will be done as one “job lot” for efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Many other jobs are in course of completion.
If interested to become members and support VH-CAT to fly again maybe help by donating or consider becoming a member of the project or helping out anyway you can offer – visit the webpage at http://catalinaflying.org.au/ for more information or download a membership form from http://catalinaflying.org.au/Volunteer%20Form%20Jan%202012.pdf.
By: Daniel - 8th April 2013 at 12:31
Today after the Easter break volunteer work has continued on CAT and John fills us in with tasks such as –
*Unloader valve reinstalled and pumped to 300 PSI, no leakage yet evident.
*Walkways measured for relining with marine ply.
*Oil priming system being readied for installation.
*We have found that as we need to attend to the Feather Pump, we will have to drain the engines oil. Maybe see how it is and filter it , if OK. Alternatively replace with new oil.
* Landing lights , being tested and Perspex covers cleaned.
*Electricals have been worked on during the week.
Anyone interested to donate, help or assist in anyway should get in touch with CFML,so the big Cat can return to the air sooner.
By: Daniel - 27th March 2013 at 10:43
Latest news now available online – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151403334113752&type=1
By: Daniel - 10th March 2013 at 04:29
Latest news and photos is available at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151372639188752&type=1
By: Daniel - 2nd March 2013 at 06:51
Hot of the press from working on the Catalina today .. latest update is now available.
A very wet and windy conditions today which hindered working. John describes the following advances to CAT –
* Air Ag have completed the “bomb doors” closure and they are sealed and a “CAR 35” Certificate has been issued.
* Lifting jacks have been prepared for a welder to attach an additional plate under the metal hooks, providing the greater height, to ensure safety.
* Engine tank inspection plate for Port Fuel tank removed. This has revealed some corrosion to some struts inside. However due to a large panel on top of the wing providing good access, Dave Sieber says that the problem is not a major one.
*Dave continued preparing a new patch for the Starboard side, where corrosion meant a box like section had to be removed.
If anyone is interested in supporting the restoration of VH-CAT Catalina flying boat for the Catalina Flying Memorial Limited dont forget the webpage at http://catalinaflying.org.au and facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/38244348751 . Volunteers to assist the project are welcomed.
Any donations and interested membership also will help get this Catalina flying sooner than later… so it too can become another reminder of the legacy of the RAAF WW2 Catalina operations.
By: Daniel - 24th February 2013 at 05:03
Courtesy of John from CFML, we have some more details on what has been done to CAT since last update –
* Last week all the cowlings were prepared after refixing the rubber seal and punching holes to receive locking devices.
* More work in removing some hydraulic/fuel hoses.
* Examine pumps under co pilots seat for any leakage of hydraulic oil.
* One “bomb”door has been secured by Air Ag, must get second signed off by a CAR 43 person.
* Hydraulic tanks topped up.
Due to heavy rains work has not been happening on some weekends.
By: ErrolC - 12th February 2013 at 17:50
That would be a week after Temora then. Hmm I was thinking of spending the week before Temora doing aviation stuff in NSW, and flying back to NZ on the 3rd. Hmm.
By: Daniel - 12th February 2013 at 11:02
Latest news is the next Catalina Festival at former RAAF base Rathmines, Lake Macquarie has been scheduled for Nov 9 2013.
Going on the massive success and interest in the 2012 event hopefully maybe we might see 2 Catalinas fly in to this event.. time will tell what is going to happen.
More details will be released as they are finalised in 2013…
By: Daniel - 7th February 2013 at 09:16
Latest news on Catalina is now available thanks to VH-CAT member John Goldsbrough … Not a lot has been done due to the wet weather early and then the wind at Bankstown airport. Volunteer Terry Woolard did some work in the turret with the “plumbing’. Volunteer Tony Pitt’s mob are manufacturing the securing lock devices for the water doors. The window in pylon has been reinstalled. More repairs have been done to the hydraulics with a new flexible line to be installed by Tony Pitt.
By: Daniel - 21st January 2013 at 09:38
Some photos from this past weekends work and some of the volunteers who are keeping the massive project moving.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151264352813752&type=1
By: Daniel - 16th December 2012 at 00:54
A video of the HARS Cat landing Rathmines at the festival. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FuyiGQKw_8 Will be nice to see CFML Catalina VH-CAT do this again…at some point.
By: Daniel - 6th December 2012 at 11:35
Some more photos of the Aussie Catalina VH – CAT under restoration in Sydney to fly – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151194885073752&type=1
By: Daniel - 2nd December 2012 at 01:38
Some more photos from last weekends working bee – showing tail work, internal water door area work and a washing/clean of the fuselage – https://www.facebook.com/groups/38244348751/
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June 5, 2012 at 5:35 pm