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It never
fails to amaze me - even after thirteen years of
producing this website - of the flying boat information
and generosity that is so freely given and granted
between fellow enthusiasts and this stunning 185
image gallery is the best case-in-point -ever!
Our latest
correspondent, Ron Rogers of Whidbey Island, USA,
contacted me out-of-the-blue a few weeks ago and told me
of a preserved Catalina PBY-5A and the
PBY Memorial Foundation
he is a volunteer member of
that I didn't even know about!
Ron is a
member of the PBY Memorial Foundation (PBYMF) based at
Whidbey Island, who are the proud owners of Catalina
Bu.No. 33968 (Civil Reg. No. N84857) with the aim of
preserving her for all time within hangared
accommodation thus acting as a memorial to all crews and
airmen involved with the Catalina through the passage of
time. Currently, they have an informative website which
can be found
here.
Wilmont - Wil -
Shellenberger, President and Will Stein, Director of
Operations in the PBY Memorial Foundation welcome any
information concerning this particular Catalina in
service, as well as offers of parts, components and
blueprints that will enable the Foundation to preserve
her to the highest possible standards for future
generations to learn about and enjoy, for a long time to
come.
When I enquired of
Ron if it was possible to obtain some close-up pictures
of 'his' Catalina he stated that he builds 1/48th
scale models and knows the sort of detail that modelers
need; he wasn't kidding!
Here, we are proud to present
his superbly detailed images of the complete exterior and interior of
'Ron's Catalina' in all her current (2013) glory! |
