Detailed Description
Goodspeed Flying Service is proud to offer this exceptional, World War II-veteran flying boat project to motivated buyers. The Catalina is a legendary warbird, and this one, a prime candidate for restoration, could become a flying tribute to U.S. Navy aviation, a personal airborne yacht, or whatever your flying-boat dreams desire!
BuNo. 48423 left Consolidated Vultee's San Diego factory in 1943 and served with the U.S. Navy, VPB-73, out of Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, NY during 1944 and 1945 on patrol duties, before performing air-sea rescue duties, commonly known as "Dumbo" missions, out of San Juan, PR until 1946. BuNo. 48423 then passed through a variety of Canadian survey companies and U.S.-based private hands until about 1997, when she was purchased by a group linked to Greenpeace, for whom the Catalina patrolled the Mediterranean, policing over-fishing, and last flew in the UK in 2009. In 2015, restoration efforts were relocated to New Smyrna Beach, FL, then to Poughkeepsie, NY in 2023.
This project comprises a fuselage and wings that are strong candidates for restoration to airworthiness, a substantially restored or rebuilt center section, and a PBY parts stock that is considered among the world's largest. The rebuilt center section, 60%+ complete, was accomplished by Charlie Hainline's workshop in Pearland, TX, and represents an investment of more than $200,000.
A complete inventory of the spares is available on request, as well as additional photos. Goodspeed Flying Service can assist in shipping worldwide, as well as sourcing appropriate restoration work.
Aircraft Insurance
