| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | VH-SBV |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Consolidated 28 Catalina |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Consolidated PBY Catalina |
| Aircraft Version: | Consolidated OA-10A Catalina |
| C/n (msn): | CV-592 |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Wigram (closed)Map |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: NZWG IATA: - Local: - Other: - |
| Collection: | Air Force Museum of New Zealand |
| Photo Date: | 31 May 2008 |
| Photo by: | Phil Vabre |
| Photo ID: | 174827 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
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. This photo is copyright © Phil Vabre, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 16 October 2019, and has since been viewed 290 times. |