Very interesting Brian – thanks for posting.

A couple of observations – the correct Nomad designation is PBN-1, not ‘PBY-N1’ (maybe a typo?). I have the number of Nomads committed to the USSR as 138 but one crashed pre-delivery making 137 delivered. Regarding the ‘fudge’ around the number of Nomads built, the BuNos allotted (02791 to 02946) makes 156 but the contract was for 155. One hull was destroyed by fire on the production line and was rebuilt using the previously stricken BuNo 02802 and given the 156th BuNo 02946.

My understanding is that 10 Sqn, RNZAF later became 1(B)OTU but retained the ZX squadron code. The Venturas (as in the original photo) came along after the unit became 1(B)OTU

In Henri Mignet and his Flying Fleas by Ken Ellis and Geoff Jones, page 76 states that “…it was eventually flown by Claude Ashcroft and received its Authorisation on 16May36. Flushed with the success of possessing this piece of paper,, the following day, the little Flea set off on a cross-Channel attempt. This was to end somewhat prematurely in a forced-landing near Lympne in Kent. It is thought that the damage incurred put the aircraft into store. It was certainly to be found gathering dust at Canute Air Park during 1939.”

Still listed as being in the Ashford area in the latest edition of Wrecks & Relics but no ownership details.

Regarding the Miles-branded rudder pedals on the Gemini, when I was a lad making a total nuisance of myself at Miles Aviation & Transport (R&D) Ltd’s base at Ford in Sussex in the late-60s, there was a wooden mock-up of the forward fuselage of the proposed Miles Century executive jet in the back of the hangar. I remember it being painted in the same blue and white ‘house’ colours as the M.100 Student but what really struck me apart from the stick-on photographs of cockpit instruments was the set of rudder pedals just like those seen in ‘KKH’s cockpit in David’s lovely photo. They looked very incongruous!

John – in your Catalina list above (and allowing for a degree if subjectivity as to what is airworthy and what is not), I would ….

– delete CC-CDT as this has not flown for a very long time (but is potentially airworthy)
– add C-FPQM which has flown in the last 2/3 months
– add N206M which has flown fairly recently
– possibly add N96UC although a recent picture suggests it has been neglected somewhat – confirmation of status welcomed

“For me it will be Sally B Supporters Club next year. http://www.sallyb.org.uk/join-us.htm It still brings the entrance concession and ALL the money goes to something I can appreciate regularly, rather than occasionally. Moggy.

Members of The Catalina Society receive the same benefit currently too and the subs go towards keeping G-PBYA flying – see https://www.catalina.org.uk/the-catalina-society-membership/