History of the PBY-5A N287

This PBY was built for the U.S. Navy as  BUNO 48287, Constructor's

NO. 1649 in October 1943. After serving through  WW II it was surplused as N10017.  It later later went to Canada as CF-JMS and flew for many years as a geologic survey aircraft before being converted to a Super Catalina by Timmins Aviation in the early 1960's.  Modified in accordance with CAR 3 and  T.C.758 it now carries a Standard Airworthines Certificate and is eligible for passenger carrying (maximum 22 passengers).

Wright R-2600 engines of 1700 HP each replaced the original P&W R-l 830 engines of 1200 HP, making an impressive increase in performance.  It then flew survey missions for Selco Exploration and went to Australia with them in 1964 as VH-UMS. Later it reurned to Canada as CF-JMS flying for Kentings and Questor Surveys, with whom it went to the United States for awhile registered as N16647.  In 1975 it went back to Canada as C-GGDW... apparently with Austin Airways before being sold to a company called Geoterrex/Terra Surveys.

In 1985 the airplane was sold to Mr. Jack Leavis who moved it to Opalocka Airport in North Miami, Florida where it was stored with periodic engine runups until February, 1990 when is was flown to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for disassembly, inspection, repair and restoration.  While in Ft. Lauderdale, maintenance was finished at Chalk's International Airlines, a long established seaplane operation.  Sheet metal repairs, cleanup of areas of corrosion, recovering control surfaces, engine and propeller overhauls were done. The interior was stripped, cleaned and primed with Glidguard Series 5000 Epoxy Primer. The exterior of the aircraft was totally primed with Glidguard 5000 and finished in Sterling Jet Black Polyurethane Topcoat and Clear. Sixty inch U.S. Navy Stars and Bars insignia in white finish like the "Black Cat" scheme of the Solomon Islands based Catalinas of WWII. All fuel boost pumps, feathering pumps, engine driven fuel pumps, hydraulic pumps, carburetor air door actuators, starters, generators, tachometers generators, as well as numerous other components have been overhauled or repaired and functionally tested.  All fuel, oil and hydraulic lines are new.

Once major work was completed in Ft. Lauderdale, the PBY was flown to Tamiami Airport in South Miami, Florida. The #2 engine was removed and overhauled and reinstalled in July 1999. The aircraft was put on an FAA Approved maintenance program and a letter of authorization to deviate from FAR 125 issued.  As of September 2001 the maintenance inspection is complete.  All phases of the FAA approved maintenance program have been completed.  Some 200 items were listed on discrepancy sheets as of a result of the inspection programs, all of which have been cleared.  All discrepancy sheets are available for inspection and are a part of the overall program to be sold with the aircraft.

This aircraft is one of of a very few PBY's holding the FAA Standard Airworthiness Certificate which allows it to carry passengers.   

The flight engineers seat is still located in the tower, but all controls have been relocated to the cockpit during the STC process in the 1960's. No blisters or nose turrets are installed.  A large cargo and entry door is installed in the left aft fuselage incorporating a three step stairway to the aft fuselage area.  The standard tunnel gun door has been greatly enlarged for the survey work and lends itself favorably for loading long, outsized cargo through the tail.

Interior configurations would vary with the intended use.  Possibilities include........a private "Air Yacht" designed  to the owner's specifications......a utility/cargo type interior to supply projects in remote areas using the large cargo door and tunnel gun door........a long range, long endurance survey or observation "platform".......because of the Standard Airworthiness Certificate, a commercial passenger carrying operation is a possibility  with air tours to remote areas....passenger/cargo operations to islands or remote spots....a flying scuba diving and snorkeling platform to rarely visited dive sites using the space in the airplane for equipment, small boats, etc.....Out-Island resort accommodations for over night and multiple day excursions..... display at air shows and "War bird" gatherings.  It is a very popular airplane at these events because of it's rareness, their historical significance and their imposing presence on a ramp!

This is a very fine example of a PBY in good mechanical shape.  It has not been is salt water in at least 28 years, by our search of the records.  The interior is ready for whatever "Mission" the owner has in mind.  The excellent performance of a Super Catalina and it's unique utility should be serious considerations in your decision to chose this aircraft.