PBY6A CATALINA RESTORATION
FERRY FLIGHT PREPARATION
Our PBY-6A was in the final stages of preparation for its Ferry Flight. Test flights were successful and the Catalina was ready to depart on Nov 18th 2007.
The day before our ferry crew were to depart Seia, the RH engine started gushing lots of blue smoke. The take-off was aborted and the aircraft taxied back to assess the damage. What we know now is a con-rod broke and the engine sustained internal damage as a consequence .
It is disappointing and a major set-back as the engine will have to be overhauled, and this means a lot of work and delay, not to mention additional costs. See photos below>>
Since the winter weather in Europe is not conducive to doing the work or to flying, our ferry crew will return to Australia. We are now looking at next year before the repairs can be completed and a ferry flight contemplated.
INITIAL RESTORATION CREW
- Geoff Hazelton
- Ray Molyneaux
- Hal Griffiths
- Julian Dinsdale
- Mick O'Grady
FURTHER RESTORATION
When our cat arrives in Australia it will progressively be restored to original condition.
CATALINA PBY6A VH-CAT
THE SEARCH
Phil Dulhunty searched for a suitable Catalina. It was in the town of Seia in Portugal that he found what he was looking for.
Current Situation
As you all may know the purchase of PBY6A Catalina No. 46665 was all finalised and settled in Portugal last October. The aircraft was transferred to the Australian Register as VH-CAT and issued with a ferry permit by CASA. Our engineers, Geoff Hazelton, Mick O’Grady, Ray Molyneux and Julian Dinsdale spent many days in Seia inspecting and preparing the aircraft for its ferry flight to Australia. The ferry crew, assisted by experts, Edwards Bros of UK and Roger Leeflang of Holland (where they operate their own Cats) conducted a number of local test flights in preparation for the trip to Australia. Unfortunately, or fortunately as some have said, VH-CAT suffered an engine failure at Seia on the last test circuit before departure.
As Seia is at the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, winter snows have come and it has been difficult if not impossible to work on the aircraft. There is no hangar and work in the open in this climate is a problem until about mid March 2008. In the meantime, we are trying to purchase a replacement engine - possibly two, as it is just as likely the other engine may suffer the same fate. Both engines have considerable times to run but have been left, unrun and unloved in the open for over six years. The P&W 1830-92 engines and propellers are identical to those used on the DC3 and they are available in various conditions in many countries around the world.
Following the exploration of a number of options for the purchase of new engines for VH-CAT, it was finally decided to go for completely overhauled ones from Texas @US5 2,000 each. However, we’re not out of the woods by any means.
We now have to organise removal and stripping of the old engines and installation of the new ones. How and where we can do this is under consideration depending on CASA requirements and availability of engineers and facilities.
To get this project out of its holding pattern, we need money badly! In fact, we need all the help we can get. A corporate sponsor would be a huge help. If you can't help directly with the provision of money, then perhaps you could offer suggestions for or, perhaps even an introduction to a corporate sponsor.
If you think you may be able to support this project - Have a look at our How to Help Page
VH-CAT PHOTOS - Seia Portugal, Nov 17th 2007
^ Photos courtesy of Orlando Tato