Los Angeles industrialist Thomas W Kendall bought 13 Catalinas for conversion into air yachts similar to N69043. In 1960, Kendall set out from London in N5593V with his own family and a photographer on board. After seeing the pyramids, they alighted off the Saudi coast on 22 March to relax on the beach, but the next morning, they were attacked and taken prisoner by a group of armed Bedouins who took them for Israeli commandos. The bullet-riddled remains of the Catalina are still present on the beach - see other photo. Photo by: David Lees / Life

That the concept of touring the world in a flying yacht might not be understood everywhere was highlighted on 23 March 1960 when the American Kendall family came under attack by armed tribesmen on this beach near the Gulf of Aqaba. The wreck can be inspected through Google Street View. Unfortunately the wing pylon has meanwhile collapsed and the tail broken off. This airframe had also starred in a 1959 movie, SOS Pacific. See the other photos. Photo by: Ken Stanford