In Australia, the Catalina is best known for its service during WWII as “Black Cats” and for flying the Qantas “Double Sunrise” service. In the role of the Black Cat, the Catalina operated from Australia into South-East Asia at low level at night, mining harbours and supporting “Z-Force”, the precursor to the SAS.
The HARS Catalina has been restored to conform as closely as possible to the configuration of the famous RAAF ‘Black Cats’ of WWII. The RAAF ‘Black Cats’ were pure flying boats, enabling long range and maximum possible loads with extended water take offs. The HARS PBY-6A is an amphibian (with retractable wheels), but once in flight with wheels retracted, it resembles the original ‘Black Cats’ very closely. The aircraft markings selected are those of A24-362 which served with 43 Squadron RAAF as OX-V.
Felix was an Australian cartoon of a smart arse black cat popular in the 1930s
Civilian Registration: VH-PBZ
RAAF Serial: A24-362

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