PBY Catalina at KSA
 

In the 80's or could have been early 90's there was a Cat parked on the grass in the GA area. From memory it was used to do geophysical surveys. Can't remember the rego (could have been Canadian?????) and was not in the best of condition. :(

Anybody have a photo or know its story?

Interest in this a/c was sparked after seeing this video.

http://vimeo.com/99919462

IIRC VH-EXG which is now at the RAAF Museum.

Thanks Paul, that's the one.

I remember the red maple leaf on the tail.

Is this the Catalina (VH-EXG) you are thinking about Noel, I shot is down at Essendon in January 1980. At that time it was owned by
H. C. Sleigh, and it was used for mineral exploration from memory. The yellow bomb like device hanging from the rear belly was a
magnetometer, which would be lowered behind the aircraft to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields. They would be
looking for ferrous metals, presumably Iron Ore in WA. I am sure I can remember it being parked in the GA Area (DOM5) back then.

http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/...G 198001 B.jpg

It was parked on the grass right about here - love the security fence. This is opposite the car wash near McDonalds.
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/...7XB 198202.jpg

This is looking across the GA Area to the Qantas Office Tower.
http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/...N 19820910.jpg

What ever happened to the Panther Navajo N7XB? It used to be a semi-regular visitor to YSSY until the mid-2000's if I remember correctly.
Is it still around the country somewhere? Is it still attempting time to climb and speed records?

Thanks Grahame, that sure brings back memories seeing those photographs.

The other interesting a/c parked on the grass during that period was the ex DCA HS-125 VH-CAO, in an all black colour scheme.

Hi Noel,

When I saw your mention of HS-125 VH-CAO a couple of images immediately came to mind. I don't have one in the all black livery, however the first image
is the old DCA colours from memory, even though Arnjul owned it at the time. Qantas also had a HS-125 for training at one stage.

VH-CAO on the GA Apron at Sydney in November 1981 - Owned by Arnjul
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Imag...811100-001.jpg

VH-CAO on the GA Apron at Essendon on 30th December 1985 - owned by Amcor
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Imag...851230-001.jpg

Last time I saw this one it was parked near the northern end of The Oaks airstrip west of Camden. That was quite a few years ago.....

HS-125 VH-CAO is at the Bankstown Aviation Museum.

Also one of QF's HS-125 trainers was stored at the Oaks for some time.

Amazing what you can find, not the best shot but here is VH-CAO in the all black livery.

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Imag...951200-001.jpg