Can't Wait for this PBY to Join the Local Airshow Circuit

daveymac82c · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2011 7:45 pm

Here's a youtube video of a recent engine run of PBY-5A Canso C-FUAW (former RCAF 11024, and Buffalo Airways tanker 708).

I really can't wait to see this beautiful machine in the air and joining in the local airshow circuit around Vancouver/Victoria and perhaps Seattle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzE4PU2o-i0

Besides this video I haven't heard much recently about this 'ol girl. If anyone is in the know, please share

Peace,

David M

WallyB · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:26 am

The engines are currently off and in the shop (VAM).

David Legg · **Joined:** Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:07 pm **Posts:** 338

WallyB wrote:

The engines are currently off and in the shop (VAM).

I understood that the engines had been taken off so they could be taken to Nanaimo and installed in C-FNJB (now N249SB) in order that the latter can be ferried to its eventual new home with the Evergreen Collection in Oregon. C-FUAW was de-registered on November 18th last year. Looks like you may have to be patient daveymac!

daveymac82c · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:17 pm

Thanks for the info Wally and David,

Even if it takes a while it's nice to know that work is being done to return a great airplane to the skies over a place where they were so heavily used during WWII.

That's interesting about the engines. In a way, it's nice to see different groups working together and helping eachother to reach their goals. Does this mean that the engines on RCAF 9815 were that entirely shot?

And then I wonder what the plans are for FUAW's engine situation.

I'm going to do a little research and see what more I can find out about FUAW and I'll report back with what I find out.

Peace,

David M

WallyB · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 2:54 pm

David Legg wrote:

WallyB wrote:

The engines are currently off and in the shop (VAM).

I understood that the engines had been taken off so they could be taken to Nanaimo and installed in C-FNJB (now N249SB) in order that the latter can be ferried to its eventual new home with the Evergreen Collection in Oregon.

I hadn't heard that but I'm surprised, albeit pleasantly, that 'NJB is going to be made airworthy again ! I just assumed it was going South in pieces - it's been 10(?) years just sitting outside so I expect there's a lot to be done besides new motors.

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:24 pm

how many pby's are flying on the airshow tour right now? Not counting this one

David Legg · **Joined:** Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:07 pm **Posts:** 338

whistlingdeathcorsairs wrote:

how many pby's are flying on the airshow tour right now? Not counting this one

Right now or very recently...

G-PBYA in Europe (the most active)
ZK-PBY in New Zealand
VH-PBZ in Australia
C-FPQL in Canada

plus N85U in Washington State flew a couple of shows a year or so ago but these were probably isolated displays and it is not a regular

N9767 in France is the 'next most likely to'

David Legg · **Joined:** Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:07 pm **Posts:** 338

I forgot N9521C at Virginia Beach's Fighter Factory.

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3333

Connie Edwards' is still active, it was at Oshkosh last year.

At one time the Palm Springs one was supposed to be kept airworthy, I wonder what became of that plan?

David Legg · **Joined:** Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:07 pm **Posts:** 338

Mike wrote:

Connie Edwards' is still active, it was at Oshkosh last year.

At one time the Palm Springs one was supposed to be kept airworthy, I wonder what became of that plan?

Good call. Connie's doesn't really fly shows tho' - it visits but is not a display aircraft. My list is of 'display' aircraft ie: ones that regularly perform demonstration flights on the circuit It does however lead me to ask if his PBY-6A N4NC is still active as in recent years he has been using his ex-RCAF Canso A N222FT.

The Palm Springs one is grounded I believe - I gather it needs work to get it airworthy bagain but perhaps someone here can be more specific?

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3333

Thanks David. What's the current situation with the Dutch example? One of the pilots for the French example was out here in CA last month, and mentioned to me that they were hoping to operate it this year.

David Legg · **Joined:** Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:07 pm **Posts:** 338

Mike wrote:

Thanks David. What's the current situation with the Dutch example? One of the pilots for the French example was out here in CA last month, and mentioned to me that they were hoping to operate it this year.

I do not have detailed information but the last I heard from an unofficial source was that it was quite possible they would not fly this year, at least not in the first half - I think there are administrative rather than technical issues here but that is not an insider view. The operators website carries a full programme of flights for later this summer but also has the following 'caveat' (in Dutch but with an English translation facility...

"The route to the IVW, in order to achieve recognition for the maintenance Catalina, requires more time than we originally indicated. We can only wait until this approval is issued and then the annual maintenance of the Catalina to be and can perform. After this, a new Certificate of Airworthiness be requested, then the Catalina again operational.
At present, it is impossible to say how much time all these procedures still needed."

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Wed Jun 29, 2011 10:44 am

Actually Connie has two which he flies on a semi-regular basis although mostly for transportation not as displays. He will have his Albatross at Oshkosh this year.

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Wed Jun 29, 2011 10:45 am

And lets not forget this one thats out on the market for a cool 300k. http://courtesyaircraft.com/Current%20Inventory/N287%20PBY-5A%20Super%20Catalina.htm

David Legg · **Joined:** Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:07 pm **Posts:** 338

The original question was about Catalinas flying on the display circuit but what I believe to be a full list of Survivors, both airworthy and non-airworthy, may be found at http://www.catalina.org.uk/survivors-list

The version on that link is about to be updated - a small number of aircraft have been removed from that list as they have been 'parted out' and arguably no longer qualify as survivors (including N2886D and N68756). C-FNJB is now on the US register although still at Nanaimo, BC. I'll post the link again when I know the latest list is on the site.

If anyone has any updates/comments I would be very pleased to hear from them.

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Can't Wait for this PBY to Join the Local Airshow Circuit

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