Catalina Engine Problem
Discussion
GliderRider said:
Eric Mc said:
Sorry to see that one of the blisters got damaged, although I've always though that they should replace those tinted one piece, non-opening blisters with the more authentic two piece, sliding, framed blisters.
Perhaps those frames are corrosion magnets? Maybe the cost of getting a one piece blister made is not wildly different to getting the individual transparencies made and fitted for the multi-piece original?One-piece blisters are not particularly modern.
Catalinas were real workhorses and they were adapted for many different roles after they were retired from military services. Those used for leisure purposes would have received all sorts of "upgrades".
The one that is flying in the UK today mainly does so in order to retell the story of the World War 2 service and carries World Car 2 colours. For that reason, I always thought the tinted blisters looked a bit wrong on this particular machine.
The one that is flying in the UK today mainly does so in order to retell the story of the World War 2 service and carries World Car 2 colours. For that reason, I always thought the tinted blisters looked a bit wrong on this particular machine.
This is a good read: http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tab...
Ayahuasca said:
The opening blisters were to allow guns to be fitted, or rescued people to be pulled into. Not much call for that these days.
One-piece blisters are not particularly modern.
Is that the aircraft that ended up stranded on a beach in KSA?One-piece blisters are not particularly modern.
TBH I'm not that bothered about tinted blisters, it's nice to see a Catalina at all.
Eric Mc said:
Catalinas were real workhorses and they were adapted for many different roles after they were retired from military services. Those used for leisure purposes would have received all sorts of "upgrades".
The one that is flying in the UK today mainly does so in order to retell the story of the World War 2 service and carries World Car 2 colours. For that reason, I always thought the tinted blisters looked a bit wrong on this particular machine.
Fair enough if it is trying to represent a WWII military aircraft. Is this the one that was converted to firefighting? Maybe that is when the tinted blisters went in. The one that is flying in the UK today mainly does so in order to retell the story of the World War 2 service and carries World Car 2 colours. For that reason, I always thought the tinted blisters looked a bit wrong on this particular machine.
Yertis said:
Ayahuasca said:
The opening blisters were to allow guns to be fitted, or rescued people to be pulled into. Not much call for that these days.
One-piece blisters are not particularly modern.
Is that the aircraft that ended up stranded on a beach in KSA?One-piece blisters are not particularly modern.
TBH I'm not that bothered about tinted blisters, it's nice to see a Catalina at all.
https://www.messynessychic.com/2014/04/24/all-aboa...
These surviving Catalinas have been through so many operators since the end of the war that virtually none of them remained in their original military spec.
As well as firefighting and leisure use, a number were also used for geological surveying. I remember two of them being based at Dublin in 1973, 74 and again in 1977 carrying out survey work for the Irish government.
Some day, I want to build a model of one of these highly modified PBYs as they were quite different to the originals. In fact, the Catalina used in 1977 (CF-MIR) was really a Canadian built CANSO. Notice how the tailfin differs from a standard PBY/Catalina.
As well as firefighting and leisure use, a number were also used for geological surveying. I remember two of them being based at Dublin in 1973, 74 and again in 1977 carrying out survey work for the Irish government.
Some day, I want to build a model of one of these highly modified PBYs as they were quite different to the originals. In fact, the Catalina used in 1977 (CF-MIR) was really a Canadian built CANSO. Notice how the tailfin differs from a standard PBY/Catalina.
Eric Mc said:
Is there a slipway up there where they can get it out of the water? At least the Catalina has a retractable gear so they can just drive it out of the water if necessary.
Yeah, they built one for Nessie since she's getting quite old now and has trouble coming out of the water.At Dores - https://www.trailerhelling.com/en/?id=5264
Eric Mc said:
Is there a slipway up there where they can get it out of the water? At least the Catalina has a retractable gear so they can just drive it out of the water if necessary.
Nope.That's the problem they have, and why they probably tried to attempt the single engine take-off given they had a 20 mile long runway to give it a go, and only about 5 miles of valley floor from the north end until reaching the Moray Firth, and being able to then be over water, to skirt around Inverness and make Inverness airport on the edge of the Moray Firth.
A recent tweet from them shows the issue was more than a starter problem and they are now going to have to perform an engine change on the water, which is no easy task, especially with the weather up there now, and everything else.
I bet the last time an on-water engine change on a Cat was done in the UK was probably during WW2...!!
When I was at Duxford two weekends ago for their Access Day, during the Catalina's display they mentioned that it was going to be off doing water borne flights. Immediately I though "Oh, oh".
I'd recently seen Kermit Weeks' video on You Tube where he talks about the concerns and worries you have when you leave a flying boat sitting on the water.
He actually said something along the lines of "It's like leaving a child outside in a pushchair knowing that there are wolves roaming about".
Even though flying boats are designed for off-water operations, they are highly vulnerable to damage when they are left out on the water for any length of time.
I'd recently seen Kermit Weeks' video on You Tube where he talks about the concerns and worries you have when you leave a flying boat sitting on the water.
He actually said something along the lines of "It's like leaving a child outside in a pushchair knowing that there are wolves roaming about".
Even though flying boats are designed for off-water operations, they are highly vulnerable to damage when they are left out on the water for any length of time.
aeropilot said:
Nope.... and they are now going to have to perform an engine change on the water, which is no easy task, especially with the weather up there now, and everything else.
I bet the last time an on-water engine change on a Cat was done in the UK was probably during WW2...!!
How about this nice beach? I bet the last time an on-water engine change on a Cat was done in the UK was probably during WW2...!!
Crowdfunder now running to fund repairs
https://www.gofundme.com/f/misspickup
Looks like they need to get it out the Loch, swap the engine, then return it back to the water in time to get it out before proper winter hits..
Up to £6k so far which is good.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/misspickup
Looks like they need to get it out the Loch, swap the engine, then return it back to the water in time to get it out before proper winter hits..
Up to £6k so far which is good.
FourWheelDrift said:
Taylor James said:
Such beautiful planes. One of my favourites. Any good Short Sunderland pics? Any survivors?
Short Sunderland tourPart 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th1JI90vQtg
Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XIVnG8k8Q8
ecsrobin said:
Update from chief pilot https://youtu.be/LVVMekVihNI
Interesting.Do forgive me. How much does all this cost?
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