Anyone else like Birds AND planes? (2 Viewers)

[Farnboro John]

Should have got on to this sooner as I heard the engine overhead but, was distracted by a migrant Whinchat.
Looks like a smaller flying boat .......without floats.😮😮😮

Consolidated Catalina, it is a flying boat as it has a hull, waterborne aircraft with separate floats are seaplanes.

John

 

[MJB]

Consolidated Catalina, it is a flying boat as it has a hull, waterborne aircraft with separate floats are seaplanes.

John

But it does have floats that in flight form the wingtips, but are lowered for water landings. Technically, the Catalina is an amphibian, although some, I understand can land only on water, the undercarriage either being removed or made inoperative...

 

[KenM]

But it does have floats that in flight form the wingtips, but are lowered for water landings. Technically, the Catalina is an amphibian, although some, I understand can land only on water, the undercarriage either being removed or made inoperative...

This constitutes (I believe) the first Catalina that I’ve seen, would I be right in assuming that they’re “thin in the air” or should I get out more often.....😄

 

[Farnboro John]

But it does have floats that in flight form the wingtips, but are lowered for water landings. Technically, the Catalina is an amphibian, although some, I understand can land only on water, the undercarriage either being removed or made inoperative...

Some were built as pure flying boats, though those were the first ones retired from US service post-WWII. The one in the photo is also, technically, a Canadian built Canso rather than a Catalina per se, but that is quibbling that 80 years after the fact doesn't really matter.

Most flying boats have underwing floats for stability though few are as neat as the Catalina's, more usually being fixed underwing strut-mounted, wire braced affairs.

John

 

[KenM]

Some were built as pure flying boats, though those were the first ones retired from US service post-WWII. The one in the photo is also, technically, a Canadian built Canso rather than a Catalina per se, but that is quibbling that 80 years after the fact doesn't really matter.

Most flying boats have underwing floats for stability though few are as neat as the Catalina's, more usually being fixed underwing strut-mounted, wire braced affairs.

John

Yes thanks John....but can I tick it as a rare?👍

 

[PYRTLE]

The only one I know of is at RAF Duxford, sometimes viewable from the road.....nicknamed " Miss Pick Up".

 

[Hauksen]

Should have got on to this sooner as I heard the engine overhead but, was distracted by a migrant Whinchat.
Looks like a smaller flying boat .......without floats.😮😮😮

Hi Ken,

Consolidated PBY Catalina. The support floats are retracted into the wing tips - if you know what to look for, you can see that in the photograph.

It's actually an amphibian, you can also see the large wheels retracted into the fuselage sides.

Regards,

Henning

 

[Farnboro John]

Yes thanks John....but can I tick it as a rare?👍

I'd say so - only one flying in Britain I think, so perhaps the equivalent of Black-browed Albatross!

John

 

[KenM]

I'd say so - only one flying in Britain I think, so perhaps the equivalent of Black-browed Albatross!

John

We’re often reminded of the role that the Spitfire and Hurricane played in the “Battle of Britain” and that they were pivotal to our victory.
If memory serves, wasn’t it the Catalina that “found” the advancing Japanese carrier group steaming towards Midway and managed to relay it’s co-ordinates back to HQ before being shot down, that’s what I call pivotal...and one “Helluva tick”.👍

Cheers

 

[Farnboro John]

We’re often reminded of the role that the Spitfire and Hurricane played in the “Battle of Britain” and that they were pivotal to our victory.
If memory serves, wasn’t it the Catalina that “found” the advancing Japanese carrier group steaming towards Midway and managed to relay it’s co-ordinates back to HQ before being shot down, that’s what I call pivotal...and one “Helluva tick”.👍

Cheers

I seem to recall one relocated the Bismarck when she had been lost by the surface hunting groups as well.

John

 

[KenM]

I seem to recall one relocated the Bismarck when she had been lost by the surface hunting groups as well.

John

That seems to ring a bell with me too!

Cheers

 

[PYRTLE]

If memory serves, wasn’t it the Catalina that “found” the advancing Japanese carrier group steaming towards Midway and managed to relay it’s co-ordinates back to HQ before being shot down, that’s what I call pivotal...and one “Helluva tick”.👍

One of my favourite films, " Battle of Midway" but if my memory isn't frazzled, I remember a black and white film about a Catalina squadron out in the Far East after WW II., perhaps starring the great Burt Lancaster? I saved up all my thrupeeny bits and sixpences to buy a model from a Slough Market specialist toy shop. That one and a Short Sunderland amongst dozens, but the Cat' was much sleeker whereas the British Sunderland reminded me of the coach build prams that we sought as kids to make a go cart. Happy innocent days

 

[Mike Crawley]

Took this at Duxford a couple of years ago - one of my favourites

This shows the wing floats and wheels

 

[PYRTLE]

I think it was that strange alien eye bubble observer canopy either side that first caught my eye as a youngster. Firstly it was Airfix, then something different with Revell - couldn't afford the then rare to find Tamija kits - then the pubescent hormones kicked in - county football and cricket, girls, cider. Age, libido and bladder messed those three up now so back to planes! Can we class UAVs in this category - no!

 

[KenM]

One of my favourite films, " Battle of Midway" but if my memory isn't frazzled, I remember a black and white film about a Catalina squadron out in the Far East after WW II., perhaps starring the great Burt Lancaster? I saved up all my thrupeeny bits and sixpences to buy a model from a Slough Market specialist toy shop. That one and a Short Sunderland amongst dozens, but the Cat' was much sleeker whereas the British Sunderland reminded me of the coach build prams that we sought as kids to make a go cart. Happy innocent days

I can recall purchasing the “Battle of Midway”(think it was a second hand paperback?)
Giving the account of the lead up to and with the strategies employed by both battle groups. Found it absolutely riveting...I couldn’t put it down!, albeit acknowledging the terrible loss of life on both sides.
Amen

 

[birdboybowley]

A first for me over the garden this morning.....impressive, never thought I'd see a flying Beluga 😄
😄😄

 

[West End Birder]

I'd say so - only one flying in Britain I think, so perhaps the equivalent of Black-browed Albatross!

I am appalled, everyone knows that the Albatross was made by Grumman (HU16) not Consolidated

 

[West End Birder]

Hampshire has had some megas recently - Polish AF C295, B727 G-OSRB dealing with an oil spill, Oman AF C130 over the top and an amazing number of bizjets into Southampton for the Boat Show. And not a hint of suppression

 

[PYRTLE]

C295 a military plane spotters mega?

 

[West End Birder]

Indeed, I am not sure I have ever seen one and sadly I didn't see that either. We had a US Army UC12 (Beech King Air) in Southampton yesterday, another rarity.

Interestingly Spitfires are like Little Egrets, when I go to Pennington / Keyhaven I would be more surprised not to see one!