Shot on SEIA airfield that is used as base for some firefighter aircraft along with 2 sisterships (CC-CNP / CC-CCS). All leased from Aspar Chile & operated in their colours with Aerocondor titles & tail logo. Photographer: Fernando Mesquita Original Kodachrome K25 Diapositve.

Representing Chilean Air Force 405 "Manu-Tara" (ex 44-33868), famous for completing the first flight to Easter Island in 1951 and on display at the National Aviation and Space Museum, this is actually 44-34009, ex US Navy 67973.

Originally built in Canada for the USN as PBV-1A Bu68045, then transferred to the USAAF as OA-10A 44-34081. According to the museum there is no intention to fully restore the aircraft, but visitors can still view the conserved aircraft in the conservation workshops.

Widely quoted, also officially, as c/n CV-332, but this is not correct. It is in fact a composite aircraft constructed in 1950 by Aero Corp. (Atlanta, GA), using the fuselage of OA-10A 44-34085 c/n CV-596. Photo by Captain Claude Marcoux.

The graceful Catalina T-115 makes a water scoop from Lake Hemet

Catalina water bomber departing Hemet-Ryan on a fire dispatch. Sadly, the following August the aircraft was destroyed at San Vicente Reservoir while on another water scoop.

Air Rescue Service Catalina from Hamilton Field flying over Marin County, north of San Francisco. Photographed from an Air Force Reserve AT-6C.

Being prepared for its export to USA as N483CV

This aircraft is widely quoted, also officially, as CV-332, but this is not correct. It is in fact a composite aircraft constructed in 1950 by Aero Corp. (Atlanta, GA), using the fuselage of OA-10A 44-34085 c/n CV-596 (which is this aircraft's correct identity). But when in Sep 1950 it was officially registered as N1933M, it was given the fictitious c/n 332 (later changed to CV-332). Since then this error was copied for all its subsequent identities: TF-RVR, CF-FKV, F-WMKS, French Navy 32 and CC-CDT. C/n 332 was RAAF Catalina A24-16 (w/o 10 Apr 1943) and c/n CV-332 was USAAF OA-10A Catalina 44-33880 (w/o 18 May 1945). It seems very unlikely that any part of either aircraft was used in the construction of this Catalina.

Built in Canada for the USAAF as 44-34081. Civilianised for Macao Air Transport as VR-HDH. TAA purchased it in 1962 for its New Guinea 'Sunbird' operation, re-registerred with undercarriage removed as VH-SBV. The aircraft flew services around the New Guinea coast until 1966 when competition from land-based aircraft made the flying boat operation uneconomic. Originally intended for a New Guinea museum, it was left to decay. The remains were purchased in 1979 for MOTAT but the aircraft is presently at the RNZAF Museum, Wigram where it is under long-term rebuild to represent an RNZAF machine.

Built in Canada for the USAAF as 44-34081. Civilianised for Macao Air Transport as VR-HDH. Purchased by TAA in 1962 for its New Guinea 'Sunbird' operation, re-registered with undercarriage removed as VH-SBV. Aircraft flew services around New Guinea coast until 1966 when competition from land-based aircraft made the flying boat operation uneconomic. Originally intended for a New Guinea museum but the remains were purchased in 1979 for MOTAT. The aircraft is presently at the RNZAF Museum, Wigram where it is under long-term rebuild to represent an RNZAF machine. (Jim Eames photo)

The "Queen of Dago Lake" continues to go downhill, and her parked attitude emphasizes it. Too bad.

Recovered from the bottom of a lake on which it was abandoned after an emergency landing.

Moved to the RNZAF Museum at Wigram to be restored in RNZAF markings

Sold in the US as N483CV in 2007

Built for the USN as a PBV-1A and transferred to the USAAF as an OA-10A. After World War II sold to Cathay Pacific as VR-HDH. Transferred to subsidiary Macau Air Transport. TAA bought it as a replacement for VH-WWC which had sunk. Undercarriage removed to increase payload. Withdrawn from use in January 1966. Patair bought -SBV for its engines. Plans to preserve the airframe in Papua New Guinea did not eventuate and it was shipped to the Museum of Transport & Technology in New Zealand. TAA photo.