Former Greenpeace Catalina for sale (once again)

On 13 June 2023 Scramble optimistically reported on a ‘New future for Catalina N423RS’ which it was supposed to get in Poughkeepsie (NY), USA. The local Tunison Foundation had acquired said Consolidated PBY-5A (once BuNo 48423, c/n 1785) with the intention of a restoration to airworthy condition. To most people N423RS will known as ‘the Greenpeace Cat’.

Since the plane’s arrival in Poughkeepsie it was disassembled into a number of larger sections. But it seems the Tunison Foundation has lost its faith in the ‘New future’ of the Cat and has recently decided to sell it.

 It is offered for sale through Trade-A-Plane for USD 250,000. It is advertised as a project that comprises a fuselage and wings that are strong candidates for restoration to airworthiness, a substantially restored or rebuilt center section, and a PBY parts stock that is considered among the world's largest. The rebuilt center section, 60%+ complete, was accomplished by Charlie Hainline's workshop in Pearland (TX), and represents an investment of more than USD 200,000.

Hopefully the sale of N423RS will eventually lead to restoration and not to the alternative, the feared axe man!

The Catalina’s history can be found in the Scramble article of 13 June 2023.

Photo: Trade-A-Plane