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Bringing back the FlyingVeterans
Rare Catalina now
a Kiwi treasure
It was called ‘The Last African Flying Boat’, but this rare aircraft
began its eventful life in service for the Royal Canadian
Airforce in March 1944, flying for No 5 Squadron from bases in
Newfoundland, Quebec and Novia Scotia. The flying boat known
as PBY5-A (Amphibian) was declared surplus in 1947 and sold
off, disappearing for eight years before turning up in Costa Rica
where it was converted to a civilian aircraft. The controls and
gauges from the flight engineer’s pylon position were removed
and relocated in the cockpit. The front gun turret was removed
and a semi-clipper bow added, with other modifications made
for safety. The Catalina returned home to Canada where it
flew for several operators, including Austin Airways, Canada’s
oldest airline. By the late 80s, the aircraft was in storage at Reno,
Nevada before beginning a new life flying tourists down the Nile
River. Registered as Z-CAT, its nickname ever since, the Catalina
was the star of a BBC TV documentary entitled ‘The Last African
Flying Boat.’ Its African adventures came to an end in 1994 when
political instability in several African countries restricted civil aircraft
operations. An epic journey followed through nine countries,
covering almost 10,000nm in 90 hours over 13 days to its new
home – New Zealand and The Catalina Club. Each year Z-CAT
leaves its base at Ardmore and with an international and local
crew, makes its stately way to take part in warbird airshows.
Fred and Eileen Bain of Pukekohe love vintage aircraft and they love
to fly – so their choice of aircraft is clear. It has to be Z-CAT. Each
Easter, they join the crew of the Catalina and head for an airshow.
Last year it was Wings over Wanaka, featuring WWII and later
warbirds, with a few vintage WWI. This Easter, WWI planes get to
take star billing at the Omaka Classic Fighters Airshow in Blenheim.
“There is the most amazing display at the heritage centre at Omaka,
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Eileen and Fred Bain
Fokker Triplane, representing the Red Baron’s
plane at Omaka