Fascinating feature on BBC News this morning.
They had two WW2 RAF pilots who flew the Catalina over parts of the Atlantic to spot U-Boats. They were taken up in the "Cat" to bring back their memories of the aircraft.
I have the model in 1/48 scale yet to construct. Decided that I will put back building it for a few months to gain some more experience. It is a really strange but beautiful aircraft & as Revell have ceased production at this scale I would regret spoiling it.
I like to gain an insight into the aircraft (& crews) I build & at the moment I am reading a book by Don McVicer called North Atlantic Cat. Really is a great story. Beaverbrook head of aircraft production decided that aircraft sent by sea from America to GB were wasting time. A collection of Pilots, Navigators Radio operators & Engineers were got together to ferry the Cats by air to GB. Some feat as the Catalina could stay remarkably in the air for approx 24 hours. However this was just about the time needed to fly from Canada to Scotland. To achieve that they needed a tail wind of 10mph.
It has things that few aircraft could achieve. Repairs could be undertaken on board as all of the fuselage was accessible. Only two engines yet they could fly this monster on a single engine. Beds as the crew needed in 24 hours to sleep. Food they took sandwiches. Think they may have been an odd bottle of whisky accidently stowed away.
Taking off in six foot waves very hairy. They had to contend with weather & its forecast over the 3000 miles of the Atlantic crossing. Could they land in Scotland, would sea conditions allow it. Really good book to read.
Laurie
They had two WW2 RAF pilots who flew the Catalina over parts of the Atlantic to spot U-Boats. They were taken up in the "Cat" to bring back their memories of the aircraft.
I have the model in 1/48 scale yet to construct. Decided that I will put back building it for a few months to gain some more experience. It is a really strange but beautiful aircraft & as Revell have ceased production at this scale I would regret spoiling it.
I like to gain an insight into the aircraft (& crews) I build & at the moment I am reading a book by Don McVicer called North Atlantic Cat. Really is a great story. Beaverbrook head of aircraft production decided that aircraft sent by sea from America to GB were wasting time. A collection of Pilots, Navigators Radio operators & Engineers were got together to ferry the Cats by air to GB. Some feat as the Catalina could stay remarkably in the air for approx 24 hours. However this was just about the time needed to fly from Canada to Scotland. To achieve that they needed a tail wind of 10mph.
It has things that few aircraft could achieve. Repairs could be undertaken on board as all of the fuselage was accessible. Only two engines yet they could fly this monster on a single engine. Beds as the crew needed in 24 hours to sleep. Food they took sandwiches. Think they may have been an odd bottle of whisky accidently stowed away.
Taking off in six foot waves very hairy. They had to contend with weather & its forecast over the 3000 miles of the Atlantic crossing. Could they land in Scotland, would sea conditions allow it. Really good book to read.
Laurie
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