VH-EXG. Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina. c/n CV-369.

Was also registered as: N609FF.

 

This aircraft was built by Consolidated as PBV-1A Canso

Delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force as '11060' - April 05, 1944

It was deemed to be surplus to requirements and was struck-off-charge - May 25, 1961

Sold to Firefly Inc, Portland, OR - 1966

The aircraft was civilianised and converted to Super Catalina in a tanker configuration

The Super Catalina conversion involved fitting Wright RF-2600 Cyclone engines of 1,700 h.p. and a modified tail

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N609FF - 1966

Flown as Tanker 'E40'

Sold to Terra Survey Ltd, Ottawa, Canada

It was operated in different locations around the world as a survey aircraft

It arrived at Melbourne (Essendon) on delivery to Executive Air Services, Essendon - June 1972

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EXG - August 30, 1972

Registered to H. C. Sleigh Aviation - November 07, 1979

Registered to Western Commander - May 10, 1984

FIt flew mineral survey flights around Australia

Operated its final service - December 10, 1987

It was retired and placed in open storage at Melbourne (Essendon)

Donated / acquired by the Royal Australian Air Force Museum, Point Cook - 1989

Moved Melbourne (Essendon) - Melbourne (Point Cook) to the RAAF Museum Point Cook for storage

The hull was transported to Brisbane (RAAF Amberley) for restoration - 1997

It underwent restoration and modification to return it to WWII configuration as a PBY-5A

Placed on display at RAAF Museum Point Cook in dismantled state - November 2001

Depicted as RAAF Catalina 'A24-104' of No 113 Air Sea Rescue Flight

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - June 19, 2002

Current

 

 

VH-EXG. Geoterrex - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 16, 1979.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1040-198.)

VH-EXG. Geoterrex - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 11, 1980.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1040-184.)