And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Qantas ran a non-stop service from Perth to Sri Lanka during WW2 which started with Catalinas. The longest trip buoy to buoy was 32 hours westbound but usually about 26 hours. Passengers were given a "double sunrise" certificate. Astral navigation and dead reckoning with max load 3 passengers plus mail. They connected to BOAC services from London. The Cats were stripped of anything unnecessary for the purpose although take off weights were still 4 tons over normal max weight because of extra fuel. They were very reliable. The amphibious versions were not used as they were too heavy.
PBY Catalina?
ReplyDeletethe one and only
ReplyDeleteLove this aircraft! Stays aloft for days…almost.
ReplyDeleteQantas ran a non-stop service from Perth to Sri Lanka during WW2 which started with Catalinas. The longest trip buoy to buoy was 32 hours westbound but usually about 26 hours. Passengers were given a "double sunrise" certificate. Astral navigation and dead reckoning with max load 3 passengers plus mail. They connected to BOAC services from London. The Cats were stripped of anything unnecessary for the purpose although take off weights were still 4 tons over normal max weight because of extra fuel. They were very reliable. The amphibious versions were not used as they were too heavy.
DeleteAmazing aircraft, they did it right.
DeleteTo quote my Naval aviator Dad, "Because a PBY don't fly that high."
ReplyDelete