G’day All,
I was able to visit the Lake Boga Catalina Memorial at Lake Boga today. I was up that way for work and on the way home thought I’d have a quick look in.
I was able to talk to one of the volunteers there who showed me around, Thanks Graham too, he showed me some of the items they recovered from the lake recently which is now bone dry due to the terrible drought we continue to endure here in Australia. 5 under carriage assemblies for an amphibian Cat and various other trinkets were quite interesting to look at and they have since restored one full set to bloody fantastic condition! Anyways Graham showed me the new plans for the Memorial which include a new hanger which is due to start any tick of the clock, and the restoration of their composite Catalina A24-30 which is due to begin as soon as the Hanger is finished which should be in December according to Graham. He and I had a great chat and after talking to him he told me of the Memorials desire to get 2 1830 Engine which equipped the Cat. They have a preference to Unserviceable ones but which are complete. They would love them to be donated, however the Memorial does have a small budget to help in acquiring them. Is anyone able to help this worthy cause? If they are please contact the memorial on the following:
Contact Details
Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum
Catalina Park, Lake Boga VIC 3584
Phone: (03) 5037 2850
Fax: (03) 5037 2860
Another interesting bit of information which graham told me was that there is a near complete Martin Mariner Fuselage some where near Lake Boga however they memorial isnt able to locate it at present, a number of visitors have told them of its existence as a shed! Does anyone know any more?
I dont have any pics from my visit but you can see more here:
http://www.murrayriver.com.au/lake-boga-flying-boat-museum-980/
Cheers All
Hope someone can help.
Dave
By: mark_pilkington - 18th May 2009 at 13:49
Another interesting bit of information which graham told me was that there is a near complete Martin Mariner Fuselage some where near Lake Boga however they memorial isnt able to locate it at present, a number of visitors have told them of its existence as a shed! Does anyone know any more?
I have seperately heard of this item existing in Victoria, while pursuing leads on PBY parts, but it was’nt supposedly nearby to Lake Boga.
Interestingly the source of my information apparantly knew where it was, and was concerned? that the Lake Boga Museum was pursuing it, so there seems to be some correlation in the stories?
Given his concerns over the Lake Boga interest in “his” Mariner, I didn’t bother showing any interest myself given his apparant possessive attitude?, however I don’t believe he held any “ownership” other than it was in his locality, and didn’t want it recovered and removed elsewhere.
There is a lot of Mariner remains still surviving in Australia, two cockpit sections as caravans, a large section of rear fuselage in SA, the wing outer panels and fin at Moorabbin, a rudder at Ballarat? museum?, and this apparant large surviving fuselage section.
It would be nice if Lake Boga could bring them all together and create a composite outcome similar to their Catalina effort.
Regards
Mark Pilkington
Sign In
May 18, 2009 at 12:24 pm