Skagit, WA PBY Question

[daveymac82c]

Hi everyone,

I was looking to see what was new with the PBY Catalina located at Skagit Airport, Washington.

Their website (http://projectpby.com/about/about-current-status.php)said something very strange:

"Current Status

Although the contract is complete, the aircraft is not in airworthy condition.
The instruments are not hooked up (or, since we weren't supplied with actual PBY instruments, missing.) And one engine needs an overhaul. And, if I recall correctly, we are missing a log book.

The aircraft is still at the Skagit Valley Municipal Airport in Burlington, Washington. Since we are no longer there, the Port has taken possesion of the craft and have it tied down to concrete blocks.

Because of this, we can no longer offer tours or walk-throughs, nor photo-ops of the plane."

To me that seems a little cryptic! Does anyone have a better understanding of the situation with this PBY?

It sounds like something fell through with the project, the restoration remains unfinished and now the City of Burlington owns it? Will it be auctioned? I've been trying to go down and see that plane for a few years now but getting ahold of them is next to impossible.

Please fill me in.

Cheers,

David

[warbirdcrew]

Here is is last May. It hadn't really changed from the last time I saw it and I doubt it has changed since.

[daveymac82c]

Thanks for posting those pictures!

Do you know much about the project?

From their website it sounded like they were intending to get her flying. From the pictures you can see the nose turret and thought that PBY's couldn't have a nose turret if they planned to fly it. That due to potential flooding durind water operations. I guess they might not have been intending to use her on the water.

Anyone have clues or hints?

Cheers,

David McIntosh

[David Legg]

You can certainly fly a PBY with a bow turret - N9521C flies with one out of Virgina Beach. And that one has operated on water with the turret in place although not sure if it has done so in the last few years.

[daveymac82c]

Yeah, I figured it had to be possible to fly a PBY with the bow turret, because they did it during WWII, hence it must have been safe enough. And besides the PBY you mentioned, there is also the PBY at Tillamook that up until recently was flown, and also had the bow turret.

Thanks for clarifying things for me.

Cheers,

David McIntosh

[David Legg]

David - I meant under current regulations!! : -) You are quite right about the Tillamook one too.

[Jack Cook]

Early PBY turrets were open to the weather.
I believe to be legal today it has to be enclosed.

[Myles]

My avatar photo shows me flying N9521C when the late Gus Vincent owned it 1990- 1993. The photo was taken from the nose turret we installed. We would remove the top cover that was secured with over center latches. Who ever was taking the photos, or just wanted the wind in their hair would wear goggles. Quite an experience. We never had any problems with water coming in around the side of the turret during water take offs. The turret was also in a locked position for take off and landing.

Jim "Myles" Long