The Catalina flew into Rand airport, Johannesburg RSA, in the year 2000. Since then she has found a resting place next to the popular Rand Bed-and-breakfast hotel and has become popular as a landmark and classic propliner museum display at the airport, adding to the ambience of the classic era at this airport.

The past six years have taken their toll on the old lady, as far as the paintwork and fabric surfaces are concerned, but structually and mechanically she is in very good condition.

Ruud Leeuw researched and wrote a brief and concise history on this aircraft when he visited Rand in 2004. Used with permission, here is the brief history:

This flying-boat Canso-A participated in WW2 with RCAF No.162 (BR) Squadron and wore serial 11089; it continued after the war on Search-and-Rescue missions. In 1996 its usefulness ended and its career continued as an aerial firefighter for the Province of Quebec (1963-1994); it carried '15' and 715' during these duties. Pro Air Aviation International of Bromont, Quebec purchased this aircraft, probably through Canadian Aircraft Sales. C-FPQO was again advertised as for sale, meanwhile its firefighting equipment was removed and its blisters put back in place.

In Sep99 it departed for Rand, South Africa and joined its new owner: Antares Air Services. For a movie the attractive yellow and blue colours were removed and it was replaced by an overall light blue colour scheme. By the end of 1999 the present paint-job was acquired: a lot of white and some blue on the engines and wing leading edges. It is supposed to have been entered in the Kingdom of Swaziland register as 3D-PBY in 2002, but no registration has been applied to the aircraft. PBY Catalina pages published its total airframe flight hours (as of the last flight on 07Sep99): 9479.4

Visit Ruud Leeuw's Aviation history and photography for an incredible journey into the past of classic aircraft.

Very exciting news is that Steve Hamilton and John Seibold from the USA have purchased this plane, and will be returning it to the Western USA. Springbok Flying Safaris has been commissioned to return the plane to air/sea-worthiness and to assist with the delivery to the USA. The restoration is estimated to take nine months.

Some more pictures of the Catalina before restoration:

 

 

We will be keeping track of the restoration progress on this web site, visit us again soon!