A repaint for the Aerosoft PBY-5 Catalina in the colors of NZ4020 XX-W of the RNZAF. Bu08435, it flew with 6 Flying Boat Squadron. Following Japan's entry into the war in December 1941, the RNZAF had to switch from primarily training pilots to Europe into a combat force. No. 6 Squadron RNZAF was formed as an army co-operation unit at Milson in February 1942 flying Vickers Vildebeest and Hawker Hind aircraft. At the same time, No. 5 Squadron RNZAF moved to Fiji with Short Singapores and Vickers Vildebeest and Vincent biplanes. Modern maritime patrol flying boats (and more Hudson light bombers) were requested under Lend Lease and when the first Consolidated Catalinas arrived a detachment of men from No. 5 Squadron was assigned to convert to these types as No. 6 Squadron. Before the squadron was officially formed these men successfully completed their first air-sea rescue of a downed US aircrew. From May 1943 No. 6 squadron undertook action against the Japanese. The Squadron also conducted search and rescue missions for allied aircrew and seamen, and undertook many open sea rescues. XX-W arrived in Fiji on 21 October 1943. On February 18, 1944 it took off on a dumbo rescue mission to north Buka Island and landed to rescue two crew members and pick up a dead body from the crash of B-25, and successfully returned them to Halavo. On 26 May 1945, it stalled on landing at Hobsonville and was towed to its mooring by a crash boat. The induced damage resulted in the aircraft being written off charge on 18 June 1945.
Repaint by Jan Kees Blom, based on the paintkit by Aerosoft.
Repaint by Jan Kees Blom, based on the paintkit by Aerosoft.
