The thunderous roar of an F-35A Joint Strike Fighter flying over Civic Park during recent Remembrance Day ceremonies provided a stark contrast to the aircraft that once dominated Australian skies during World War II. While modern fighter jets represent cutting-edge technology, it was the humble Catalina flying boat that played a crucial role in protecting Australia during its darkest hours.
The Unsung Heroes of WWII
Catalina flying boats, often referred to as 'Black Cats' during their night operations, were among Australia's most versatile military aircraft during World War II. These twin-engine workhorses featured an impressive 104-foot wingspan and operated at relatively slow speeds compared to today's aircraft, yet they proved invaluable in multiple roles across the Asia-Pacific theatre.
The Catalinas performed coastal reconnaissance missions, hunted enemy submarines across vast ocean territories, served as convoy escorts, and conducted daring rescue operations. As Japanese forces retreated, Australian Catalina crews even undertook secret mine-laying missions as far away as Hong Kong and the Chinese coastline.
One of their most significant operations occurred in December 1943, when approximately 23 Catalina aircraft participated in a long-range secret mission to mine Manila Harbour in the Philippines. This represented the largest single operation conducted by Australian-based Catalina squadrons, many of which operated from the Rathmines base on Lake Macquarie.
Preserving a Fading Legacy
The Rathmines flying boat base, now a quiet Lake Macquarie suburb, was once the largest facility of its kind in Australia. At its peak between 1944 and 1945, nearly 3,000 military personnel were stationed there. Yet by 1952, just seven years after the war ended, approximately 30 Catalina aircraft sat abandoned and decaying at the base.
Today, finding surviving examples of these amphibious warbirds has become increasingly difficult. Most were cut up for scrap metal following the war, though two remarkable exceptions saw former Catalinas converted into houseboats in Victoria, albeit without their wings. Similarly, some Dornier flying boats met the same unconventional fate.
The last time a Catalina visited Rathmines occurred in 2012, when the restored Sydney 'Black Cat' named 'Felix' made an appearance. This aircraft is believed to be the only airworthy Catalina remaining in Australia today.
The Restoration Effort Continues
Thanks to the dedication of volunteers from the Rathmines Catalina Association, another Catalina is undergoing careful restoration. The group rescued a 1943-built American Navy Catalina that was corroding in Puerto Rico's tropical climate, purchasing it for $US20,000 through eBay.
The aircraft was dismantled and spent about a year in transit before arriving at Kilaben Bay for restoration work. Currently located at Beresfield, the full restoration of this historic aircraft may require another three years of work. Once completed, the Catalina is expected to find a permanent home at Williamtown RAAF Base's Fighter World museum, rather than the originally planned hangar at Rathmines that would have honoured the 332 airmen who lost their lives during WWII.
The effort to preserve classic aircraft in the Hunter Valley often begins with individual enthusiasts who inspire others to join their cause. The late Bill Hitchcock, a Hunter aviation historian from Dudley, exemplified this spirit decades ago when he dreamed of preserving historic aircraft and unusual aviation relics locally.
Hitchcock's fascination began during his time as a young air training corps cadet when he became captivated by the wartime Rathmines RAAF base. His preservation efforts included tendering for an obsolete Catalina from a fire dump in Port Moresby, though he ultimately allowed the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum to acquire the aircraft when he learned of their interest.
During his involvement with the Royal Newcastle Aero Club, Hitchcock and fellow members established a small museum despite limited funding. Their first acquisition came from Newcastle Tech College, which donated a cut-away Rolls-Royce Merlin engine from an ex-Spitfire aircraft.
The group subsequently recovered numerous significant aviation artifacts, including a Sikorsky Kingfisher propeller and a cylinder from a Pegasus engine that had powered Walrus flying boats, both originating from the Rathmines base.
Other notable finds included an intact canopy from a Sabre jet discovered at a Comsteel factory scrap-metal dump, a Cheeta engine located on a north coast farm, and Mosquito aircraft wreckage recovered from a crash site on the Barrington plateau.
Perhaps the most significant missed opportunity occurred when the group located a rare Super Marine Sea Otter from the RAN fleet air arm. Unfortunately, when they returned to retrieve the aircraft from a Ryhope farm where it had been stored since 1957, they discovered it had been sold for scrap. Only the bow section of this double-decker aircraft oddity survived.
Later research revealed this biplane was the only known example of its type in Australia. The Royal Navy Museum at Nowra had expressed willingness to exchange a Spitfire for the intact aircraft. The Royal Newcastle Aero Club group eventually disbanded in the 1990s, with many of their rescued artifacts finding new homes at institutions like Fighter World.
As Bill Hitchcock proudly noted in his later years, 'All of our bits and pieces ended up in good homes,' ensuring that Australia's aviation heritage would continue to be preserved for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
