Catalina Restoration
From Classic Flyers NZ
Contents |
[edit] Progress Shots
[edit] March 2009
Report by Glenn Johnston.
"On the first day of August 2007 the hulk of a Catalina PBY rolled through the gates at Classic Flyers, Tauranga Airport to begin a restoration that has progressed to become an elevated showpiece inside the Classic Flyers hanger.
The Catalina hull was originally imported as a source for spares by the Catalina Group of NZ in the year 2000, being stripped of items for possible future use in the Group’s operational Canso Catalina. Following removal of parts the hull became a hulk, resting in the long grass at Ardmore for over six years.
An enthusiastic volunteer team has devoted hundreds of hours to bring the exterior of the aircraft hull to showpiece standard, adopting US Navy WW2 colours that stand out in the museum interior. The tail section, wings and engines will not be recreated, as a complete aircraft of Catalina size would not fit into the museum!
Solid work has also gone into restoring the hull interior; a process that will be completed when an access stairway is installed at the rear of the hull. This will eventually allow public access into what will accurately depict an operational maritime patrol aircraft from the World War 2 Pacific Theatre.
The complete hull was raised onto its stand on Saturday 7 March, a further milestone in the rapid expansion of the Classic Flyers NZ.Com complex at Tauranga Airport, New Zealand."
[edit] March 2008
Report by Bob Torr,and Ann Law.
"As I hope most members have noticed, it is up on it's wheels and fully mobile, thanks to Richard Brown's manufacture of a nose wheel and a complete main wheel ( we had only one original main wheel) so the other has been made out of two truck rims and hub. Not without quite a bit of grief I might add!!
When the hulk arrived the front top section, forward of the cockpit, was completely missing. It now has a complete new front, plus military turret, and really does look the part. Thanks to Ray and his team,Cal,Tom and Jack.
As can be seen many repairs( patches) have been done down both sides of the fuse. The boys are now working on the bubble area and have been for many weeks, as unfortunately that particular area was very badly corroded. That job is basically completed and the boys are on to building the bubble surrounds.
Our next job is to complete the windscreens, and the top screens above the cockpit, and get it waterproof before the winter. As you can appreciate this is a very big job, and the team would love some more assistance. Thanks to those who have assisted with special jobs, Marty, Roger, Trevor, Ryan and others. Anyone who would like to assist us, PLEASE WE NEED YOU.!
This hull, for that is all there is, will make a magnificent Museum Piece. Our plans are to do up the interior as a World War II Military Cat. Furnishing the cockpit with original instruments,the engineer's station up in the pylon the same, navigation table etc. Radio Operators and Bomb Aimers Station and of course Machine Gunners positions both in the bubbles and front turret.
If I have missed any members who have assisted I apologise, so Guys and Girls,this is a very big job and we would appreciate your help."
[edit] January 2008
[edit] October 2007
