The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.
B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 2 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 3 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 4 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
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    Image 5 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 6 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 7 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 8 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 9 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 10 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 11 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 12 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 13 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 14 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 15 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 16 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 17 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 18 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 19 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 20 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 21 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 22 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 23 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 24 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 25 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 26 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 27 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 28 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 29 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 30 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 31 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 32 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 33 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 34 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 35 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 36 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 37 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 38 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 39 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 40 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 41 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 42 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 43 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 44 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 45 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 46 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 47 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 48 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 49 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 50 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 51 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 52 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 53 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 54 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 55 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 56 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 57 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 58 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 59 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 60 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 61 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 62 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 63 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 64 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 65 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 66 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 67 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 68 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 69 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 70 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 71 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge
  • Image 72 of 72, B1495 Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951. Click to enlarge

Catalina flying boat 'Frigate Bird II'

By 1951 the final ocean to be traversed for air travel was the South Pacific between Australia and South America. In this aircraft, famous Australian pilot P.G. Taylor pioneered an air route by island hopping across the Pacific from Sydney to Valparaiso. The Catalina flying boat, with its ability to land and take off in calm water, and its great endurance over long distances, was the ideal aircraft to accomplish the final aviation link around the world.

The PBY Catalina was the most …

Parts of this object

B1495-2 Radio receiver, Catalina flying boat, 'Frigate Bird II', metal / Bakelite, made by Western Electric, New York, New York, United States of America, 1940-1951, used on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951
Radio receiver from Frigate Bird II
1940-1951
B1495-3 Radio receiver, Catalina flying boat, 'Frigate Bird II', metal / canvas / glass, made by General Electric, Schenectady, New York, United States of America, 1940, used on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951
Radio receiver from Frigate Bird II
1940
Image unavailable
Breaching gear for the Catalina "Frigate Bird II"
1944

Summary

Object No.

B1495

Object Statement

Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951

Physical Description

Aircraft, flying boat, Catalina, PB2B-2, 'Frigate Bird II', VH-ASA, metal / fabric / glass / bakelite, made by Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, 1944, flown on pioneering flight Australia-Chile, by P G Taylor, 1951

The Catalina is a twin-engined high-winged monoplane flying boat with retractable wing tip floats. It features an almost cantilevered wing mounted above a shallow but broad hull on a central pylon housing the flight engineer. The wing has a rectangular centre section and tapered outer panels, all of stressed-skin all-metal construction, though the ailerons and trailing edges are fabric-skinned. A unique feature is the wing-tip floats, which are mounted on pivoted frames that can be retracted electrically so that in flight the floats form the wingtips. The hull is also all-metal, with a broad semicircular upper surface.

The bow has a mooring compartment and transparent sighting window, with a roller blind giving seawater protection. A turret all-round window is fitted in the upper bow. The two pilots sit side-by-side in a wide cockpit with large windows all round. Left and right gunner stations have blister windows on the waist of the hull behind the wing. The tail is of a tall design, with the horizontal tail mounted well up the single fin. The power plant comprises a pair of two-row Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engines neatly cowled on the centre section with cooling gills. The engines drive Hamilton variable-pitch propellers.

The interior of the aircraft, including cockpit instruments, is incomplete, having been stripped from the aircraft years before it was given to the Museum. Remaining items were removed and stored to allow for restoration and exhibition.

Specifications

Maker: Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited, Vancouver, Canada, under licence from Consolidated Aircraft (later Convair) of San Diego, California, USA.
Date of manufacture: 1944
Type: PB2B-2
Airframe identification No.: A21-61
Contract No.: A(S) 782
Drawing No.: 28B6000-4
Manufacturer's serial No.: A21-61
Constructor's number: 61154
US Navy Serial No.: 44248
British Serial No.: JX 630
RAAF Serial No.: A24-385
Civil Registration: VH-ASA
Wingspan: 31.7 m (104 feet)
Length: 19.5 m (64 feet)
Height: 5.5 m (18 feet)
Weight: 8.52 tonnes (8.39 tons) empty
Engines: Two Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp Type R1830-92 radial air-cooled
Cylinders: 14 radial, twin row
Power: 895 kW (1200 horsepower)
Maximum speed: 314 km/h (170 knots)
Range: 23 hours (32 with auxiliary tanks)

Marks

National flags of Chile and Australia on either side of the bow. Registration letters 'VH-ASA' on either side of the vertical stabiliser below the horizontal stabiliser. National flag of Australia on either side of the vertical stabiliser above horizontal stabiliser. Registration letters 'VH-ASA' on starboard and port outer wing panels. Dzus fastener alignment marks.

Short URL

https://ma.as/207900

Dimensions

Height

6400 mm

Width

31700 mm

Weight

6300 kg

Source

Credit Line

Gift of Sir Patrick Gordon Taylor GC MC, 1962

Acquisition Date

20 June 1962

Cite this Object

Harvard

Catalina flying boat 'Frigate Bird II' 2023, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 29 March 2023, <https://ma.as/207900>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/207900 |title=Catalina flying boat 'Frigate Bird II' |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=29 March 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

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