Consolidated PBY Catalina

Super Catalina N31235 has arrived in Palm Springs. She is ex USN 48426 that served in the Aleutians 1944-45. The 1788th PBY built rolled off the San Diego production line on January 6, 1944. During 1944-45, she flew patrols 350-400 miles off Attu.

When war wound down, 48426 bounced around a number of naval stations until on April 1, 1951 she is issued a civilian registration, N31235 and then “Stricken” by O&R Seattle October 4, 1951 with total hours flown as 1855! The Transocean Air Lines leased the planes from 1951 to 1958.

Our PBY-5a however was in storage for a time before being sold from one company to another until she was purchased by Alaska Coastal Airlines December 26, 1961. By 1971 old 48426 was now out of the airline business for good and was 26 years old--looking for work. She found more work at Moses Lake, Washington taking on the dangerous work of aerial firefighting. She was retired in the early 90's and rested quietly until the summer of 2007 when she came out of retirement. Her permanent home is now the Palm Springs Air Museum. It is the museum's intent to restore her to those days when she valiantly defended our Alaskan Coastline so many years ago and to share her with our visitors. She will make a fine addition to our list of flying World War II aircraft.

Air Force T-33 - F80 Shooting Star

US Navy/Marine H-34 SeaHorse Helicopter ready for our restoration crew.

US Navy F4 Phantom is in the process of being prepared for display.

The F18 Hornet becomes the latest display plane in front of the museum.

The museum has obtained a flying C-47 to add to its collection of WWII aircraft. This plane, built in 1945, first served in the RAF then served for the countries of Belgium, France and finally Israel.