Warbird Information Exchange

Catalina N427CV is in the final phases of flight testing in South Africa before undertaking a flight to California.
Some pics I took on Saturday 8 Dec 2012

Mmmm, nice! Thanks Bruce!

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

How long is the trip supposed to take? What route will they use?

I dont have the full details of the trip but as I understand the intended route is up to central Africa (not sure which country) and then to cut across the Atlantic to South America

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StudeDave

That's terrific! How long will she be there?

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"I knew the jig was up when I saw the P-51D-20-NA Mustang blue-nosed bastards from Bodney, and by the way the blue was more of a royal blue than an indigo and the inner landing gear interiors were NOT green, over Berlin."

Man what a beautiful flying machine . I hope that the new owners keep this scheme for a while.....Awesome

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Its heading for San Diego to join Jim Slattery's collection

Awesome! Maybe I'll get back to the best coast to see it!

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"I knew the jig was up when I saw the P-51D-20-NA Mustang blue-nosed bastards from Bodney, and by the way the blue was more of a royal blue than an indigo and the inner landing gear interiors were NOT green, over Berlin."

Do you know if it is planned to remain a flyer or just static? Beautiful airplane!

It will be a flyer thats for sure ... just consider the distance it has to fly from South Africa to San Diego !!
Its been flying every day here for the last two weeks getting ready and prepared for the long flight home

For those not yet familiar with the name Jim Slattery, you can go to the FAA Registry and search under the name "Pissed Away" (the amusing name for which his collection is registered to ), to see the range of vintage aircraft and warbirds within his collection, including this Catalina, which are either currently flown or are under restoration to fly. He has the SBD and Helldiver that are at Vulture's Row, the Brewster Corsair at Ezell's, the B-23 at Sanders', and the Tigercat at Fighter Rebuilders. His aircraft, including the F3F, TBM Avenger and Skyraider (which both belonged to the late Danny Summers) could be seen flying at the annual Planes of Fame air show at Chino, both of the last two years, and likely others.

Outstanding!

Thanks for the information! I have gone to the Chino show for the last 3 years so I have seen those great warbirds! Hope to get there again in May 2013. Would be great to have the Catalina fly at PoF in May!

Should also mention that this is not some sort of bucket case that is flying back to the US for restoration .. it is already fully restored, and in immaculate condition. There is some minor work to still be done on the interior but this is cosmetic and relates to modifications done to include watertight bulkheads when this Cat was being considered for commercial operations.
I would expect it to become an immediate flyer on the US circuit