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.

Im lucky that quite a few USAF Phantom drivers, wizzos and migkillers have signed many of my books. I have had it seems the right connections and right times to get such rare signatures from some very famous people.

I have had Bill Pascoe, Charles DeBellevue, Steve Ritchie and others sign my books….

I also have 3 mates who flew F-4s in their lifetime.
Im at moment in the process of doing a few F-4 Phantom stories to display.

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.

Hello Mark P

Obviously instead of harassing me with your petty comment, maybe you should do some research before putting fingers to keys?

Such as talk to AWAL next time. I “manage” the AWAL facebook page to help AWAL members and interested enthusiasts get news out and keep in touch with warbird events that might interest people.

I also promote membership news so people can join AWAL to support Australian warbird operations.

Why does AWAL have Facebook page?, because it reaches out to people in the 21st Century format….thats why and its a easy format.

As i understand it according to the agreement i entered with AWAL, as i am willing to put time into their page and know how facebook pages work, the AWAL board is happy for me to “run” it for them.

Mark .. you calling it “my” page is a disservice to AWAL and shows your really out of touch. It is the “AWAL page” .

You obviously dont have any idea about me or how i help AWAL.

AWAL has already sent out news via emails, webpage and facebook is it 3rd medium to use.

Phil Buckley

Randal the owner of the warbird A-26 Invader in question, is a long time contact of mine, so any bit of help to sell his warbird is better than none as i see it.

I think he did well to bring it all the way from USA to Australia a few years back but sadly now has to let her go.

It would be nice to see it kept local and become a restored “USAF” warbird on the show circut…. considering the other A-26 Invader in Sydney seems ground based and wont be flying anytime soon. Heres a hopin.

http://www.qam.com.au/aircraft/spitfire-v/LZ844.htm Here is the EXACT details Bruce, so why is this a strange thread when the museum has used words sawn off in their own report?

The warbird should of remained in Australia but circumstance dictated otherwise sadly.

And you forget some others things…. about me past and present

Director/owner of a heritage aviation business
Writer/Photographer to 2 magazines in Australia
Advisor to a movie company planned war movie project
Heritage advisor to a few projects
Volunteer on a few projects

And more.

Ive done in last few years of my life around 12 radio interviews, 6 newspaper interviews and 1 TV interview.