72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

This is the first post on building a laser cut Plan #105R RC - Consolidated PBY-5A (Catalina) - 72" Wingspan by Fred Novack. This kit was cut for me by Greg Carter at www.charlotteaircraftmodeling.com or [email protected]. Greg has a laser cut short kit for this plane. Contact him for more details. Thanks. Mike

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Some pictures.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

more pictures. You can tell from these pictures the quality of the laser cutting by Greg.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Don''t want to offend, but may I ask what ballpark this kit set you back? There are not many options out there on the market for Seaplanes, especially a good multi-engine, so the kit-cutting service piques my interest.
Regards,
Curtis

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

You don''t offend me. The best thing to do is to contact Greg directly on the price. A short kit like this is very reasonable, but he and I did some trading, so talking to him directly is the best way. Cut was fantastic and accurate. Fit of parts is excellent. Wood is nice and flat and straight. I''ll have some more pictures soon. As you can tell if you''ve ever looked closely at the PBY there isn''t a straight and flat surface any where except the bottom of the wings. Compound curves everywhere. Thanks. Mike

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Here is the start of the wing. Wing is built topside down. Wing tapers up with the topside being flat. Note the laser-engraved part numbers on each piece.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Here are more of the laser cut parts for the fuse/wing.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Nice work, P38nut

Just logging on here so I can follow the progress.

What engines do the plans call for?

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Engines are 2-.30 to .35 or 2-.30 wankels. Engines are setup for engine mounts on to 1/4" ply.
Thanks. Mike

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Got some work done this weekend beside my wife being here to help me move apartments. I'm a Project Manager on a $11Million project. Don't get to be home much, so I build planes! I got to assemble the center section of the wing, pylon, fuse. The laser cutting was so good that no glue is used at this point. I will post pictures this evening.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Additional photos.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Couple more.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Mike,

Thanks for doing this build on RCUniverse for our associates to see. I have started work on the 108" PBY-5A for someone in the UK and hope to have it ready as well soon. My website is being updated, so if anyone else would like these kits let me know because they will be offered.

Thanks,

Greg

CAM-Flyer

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

New pictures of the center section all glued up. No problems getting everything to line up. Doing other wing next and the center fuse sections.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

2 more pictures

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

p38nut,

Whew! Awesome looking kit! Please keep the build and pictures coming!

I contacted Greg (Charlotte cutters) and I too am thinking of building this kit.

Freddy

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Heres some photos of the stab. Nice laser cutting of all parts and great fit. Mike

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Picture of the wing at the tip float end. Mike

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Phots of the formers. Grain runs in opposite directions to prevent splitting. Titebond was used for added strength.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Photos of starting the 3/16" sq balsa keels. 2 are needed for sides to form a box onto which the formers slide.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

One more of keel.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Photos of keel with formers added. Really starting to look like a seaplane NOW!!!

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Additional photos of keel/pylon ets.

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

I really like the way this one is going together. Are the wing panels removable for transport?

Freddy: did you get a quote on the kit?

RE: 72" Consolidated PBY Catalina build
 

Great work, I love the catalina . . . I will second that ' do the wing panels come off foor transport? ' i think if I was going to build another I would build the 'Ivan Pettigrew' one, I have the plans and I have just ordered the Solent 480 plans as well . . .

[link=http://www.geocities.com/ivansplans/]Ivans Plans[/link] Check out the Mini cat and the links to the videos . . magic!