HARS Catalina Flight Home 9-21 September 2003

The HARS team led by Captain Bruce Simpson (co-pilots Donna Porter, Gordon Glynn and flight engineer John Skidmore) is currently flying the Catalina from Arcachon, France to Australia. The aircraft took off at 5pm Australian time on Tuesday 9 September for the long flight home. It landed in Rome at 11pm our time for a fuel stop and took to the air again at midnight. The Cat landed safely at Corfu at 4am 10/9 our time for the crew's first night's rest.

Day 2 and the team left Corfu enroute to Larnaca, Cyprus. I can let you know from Gary Squires of HARS that the team arrived safely on Cyprus and they are resting (11 September 9am).

Day 3 leave Cyprus for Bahrain in the Middle East; day 4 Masqat (Muscat), Oman followed by two days rest; day 7 across the Indian Ocean to Mumbai (Bombay), India. The Cat has problems with its radios and navigational equipment and a specialist has been sent from Australia to repair them as the local technicians don't have the required skills. Once repairs are completed the planned steps to complete the delivery flight include stops at Calcutta; Bangkok; Singapore; two days rest; Bali; Dilli; and finally - Darwin.

(A team of HARS volunteers will meet the aircraft in Darwin so it can quickly be painted dull black overall. This is the colour of the legendary RAAF Catalinas (Black Cats) which operated from Australia during World War II. Once the paint work is completed the aircraft will commence its flight across northern Australia to Cairns. From there the aircraft will fly down the east coast of the country for as many people as possible to see her and remember all those who flew and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. True recognition for the crews who undertook the covert night missions to Australia's north during WWII is long overdue.)

Plans changed - the Catalina will be flown to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales to take part in the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Coffs Harbour Aero Club. The crew will then fly it directly to HARS home base at Albion Park.

The destination for the Catalina is HARS home base at the Illawarra Regional Airport, Albion Park near Wollongong in New South Wales. The Cat has a current flying 'life' of 300 hours less the hours taken by the lengthy flight from France to Albion Park, Australia. The major overhaul at the end of this flying life will be done under the guidance of HARS chief engineer John Skidmore to bring the aircraft back to fully restored condition. This work will ensure the aircraft may be enjoyed by as a flying memorial for many years into the future.

HARS has chosen the particular Catalina which will be represented - RAAF A24-362 of 43 Squadron (Code OXV). This aircraft was a 'high tail' Cat and was flown by HARS member Reece Hughes. If time allows these markings will be on the aircraft before she leaves Darwin. Maps of flights Please allow for slow download if you have dail-up connection because the files are fairly large.