EUROPE'S NEWEST CAT

Air Classics, Nov 2004 by O'Leary, Michael

Huge effort brings a great result

This year, the European airshow scene has once again been graced with an airworthy Catalina, reports David Legg. After an absence of several years, following an accident to its original Catalina, Plane Sailing Air Displays Ltd. is operating a former Royal Canadian Canso A amphibian from its base at the Imperial War Museum airfield at Duxford in Cambridgeshire.

The search for a replacement aircraft had been a long one, not because there is a shortage of available Catalinas - there are always a few for sale at any one time for the right price - but because the owners wanted to acquire one that was right for them. This meant an aircraft that had a sound airframe, preferably with the rear hull blisters, an air stair at the rear, and scope for a passenger interior.

After a number of aircraft were rejected, the choice fell on C-FNJF, a former Province of Saskatchewan waler bomber, one of a pair that had been retired and ferried to Nanaimo on British Columbia's beautiful Vancouver Island. Some work had alreody been carried oui including the removal of the water bombing equipment and installation of one-piece tinted blisters and an air stair. Jhis was in preparation for passenger charter operations in Zimbabawe by a Malaysianbacked group - a project that did not proceed - hence the unexpected availability of C-FNJF a couple of years ago.

With the decision to acquire C-FNJF made, there followed a long period of work on the aircraft to make it ready not only for the long ferry flight to the UK, but also for ongoing operations. Jhis process became somewhat protracted as various modifications made to the airframe required clearance by Transport Canada.

Eventually, however, all was ready and, following a period of test and familiarization flights, C-FNJF left Nanaimo on 1 March. Over the following month, the delivery route took in a number of States before entering Canada again and then crossing the Atlantic.

The exact route, planned to avoid high ground and adverse weather, took in Port Angeles, Washington; Santa Rosa, California; Castle AFB, California; Mesa, Arizona; Midland, Texas; Mineral Wells, Texas; Montgomery, Alabama; Greensboro, North Carolina; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Bangor, Maine, and St. John's, Newfoundland.

A first attempt to fly from St. John's to Santa Maria in the Azores had to be abandoned after several hours flying because of a strong, un-forecast headwind. A week later, a second attempt was made - this time successfully - the destination being Shannon in southern Ireland, reached after nearly 13 hours of flying in freezing temperatures.

C-FNJF had reached Shannon in the early hours of 30 March and, after a few hours rest, the crew of Paul Warren Wilson, Rod Brooking and Carry Short flew on to home ot Duxford where they were met by a small band of dedicated crew and supporters, almost outnumbered by representatives from the aviation press, radio, and IV.

Since that triumphant arrival, C-FNJF has flown at a good number of airshows - its first being a long flight down to Biscorosse in southwest trance where it not only performed impeccably in the air but also made several flights from the water, its first for many a year. At the end of the 2004 airshow season, C-FNJF will enter a period of overhaul and preparation for the British registry as G-PBYA. The plane will also be repainted in a military color scheme, the exact details of which have yet to be decided. Jhe Catalina is operated by Plane Sailing on behalf of Catalina Aircraft Ltd. which is made up of a number of shareholders. Jhe enterprise is supported by its own fan club - Jhe Catalina Society.

C-FUJF was originally built by Canadian Vickers at Cartierville, Quebec, for the Royal Canadian Air Force and flew as U 005 both during and after World War Jwo, finally being retired from military service in May 1961.It subsequently saw many years use as a water bomber, fighting fires in Canada and France with various operators including Kentings, Norcanair, and the Province of Saskatchewan in Canada and Protection Civile in France. It is now set for many more years flying as an airshow attraction and on charters and film work.

There are still a small number of shares available in this wonderful aircraft. Interested parties should view the website at www.catalinabookings.org. Links are also there for information on Jhe Catalina Society and its journal, The Catalina News.