By Mike Pinder
Published: 30 January, 2012 PrintEmail
A Catalina flying boat that had been stranded in Fermanagh for the last two months has finally taken off.
The Second World War aircraft had been damaged in an accident at the Fermanagh Seaplane Festival in September.
Delays had kept the aircraft on the ground at the former RAF airbase at Killadeas.
The 70-year-old aircraft took off from Lough Erne and has now flown back to its home in Paris.
No-one was hurt in the accident which happened when the plane drifted onto a moored yacht after the pilot had cut the engines close to shore.
The Catalina was one of two attending the festival - the other one was able to return home safely afterwards.
Catalinas at the former RAF airbase played a crucial role protecting Allied convoys during World War II.
A secret deal with the Irish Republic allowed the planes to fly through Irish airspace.
They flew along a route that became known as the Donegal corridor - a short-cut which linked Lough Erne with the Atlantic Ocean and extended the range of the aircraft.
By Mike Pinder
Published: 5 September, 2011 PrintEmail
We've just added a new photo gallery section taken from our Catalina Bookings site to show you some great images of our Catalina G-PBYA (both interior and exterior shots).
"Help us create an original a cappella musical, inspired by true stories from our family history, to perform at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in August, 2011. Tight vocal harmonies fill this timeless story about four brothers trying to prove themselves in World War II. Set entirely within the space of a WWII Patrol Bomber, HERO is filled with daring adventure, senseless loss, unbelievable luck, and a spirit of family and camaraderie.
With an original script by playwright/director Tyler Olsen and a brand new score by award-winning composer Nicholas Jacobson Larson, and featuring a cast of four real-life brothers, HERO is guaranteed to be a theatrical event unlike any you've ever seen. Part comedy, part tragedy, all adventure, HERO promises to be an awesome experience for young and old alike."
By Mike Pinder
Published: 10 February, 2011 PrintEmail
Plane Sailing's Catalina PBY-5A, based at Duxford in the United Kingdom, is among the most impressive World War II aircraft still flying in Europe today.
Thanks to its size, it has a presence which few planes can match, and combines this with an impressive and surprisingly tight routine. its amphibious nature allows it to be presented in different configurations, which is another rare feature which airshow audiences always appreciate.
The aircraft is also an interesting static exhibit, which the public can also admire from the inside.
More information about the aircraft and airshow bookings are available at www.catalinabookings.org.
David Horobin - 22 December, 2011 Why o Why do you have music playing with these great aircraft shots, surely
half the joy is to hear the individual engines
Bob Francis - 3 January, 2012 There is no music in this clip!
The June 2008 edition of FlyPast is a Catalina special and features five articles devoted to the type including two by our Catalina News Editor David Legg, one on our Duxford-based White Cat and the other on Catalina survivors worldwide.
By Mike Pinder
Published: 16 April, 2008 PrintEmail
Aeroplane Magazine - January 2008
The January 2008 edition of Aeroplane magazine featured the Catalina in its regular Database feature. Twenty pages are devoted to the Cat', all written by our Catalina News Editor David Legg.
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