Public bids farewell to PBY Catalina at noon

The legendary PBY Catalina will make its departure from the Seaplane Base at noon today, Sept. 25 and head south. The plane landed in Crescent Harbor last Friday, and is one of only 21 remaining airworthy PBY Catalinas.

September 25, 2009 12:38 pm
The PBY Catalina will depart at about noon today after it's week-long stay at the Seaplane Base in Oak Harbor.
The PBY Catalina will depart at about noon today after it's week-long stay at the Seaplane Base in Oak Harbor.

The legendary PBY Catalina will make its departure from the Seaplane Base at noon today, Sept. 25 and head south.

The plane landed in Crescent Harbor last Friday, and is one of only 21 remaining airworthy PBY Catalinas.

Hundreds stood by for the fly-in ceremony last week to renew their acquaintance with the seaplane after its six-decade absence.

During World War II there were 16 squadrons in Oak Harbor.

Thousands more visited the Seaplane Base for a closer inspection this week.

Win Stites, president of the PBY Memorial Foundation said the public can come watch the Catalina take off from the ramp behind the Navy Exchange.

“They’ll raise the wheels and take off for Everett,” Stites said.

Pilots Fred Owen and Craig Haws and owner Bud Rude of Spanaway will fly the plane to Paine Field in Everett for a Vintage Aircraft weekend.