The epic journey to return the oldest and most historically significant Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in flying condition to the United States has begun. PBY-5A Bu. No. 2459 departed Lelystad Airport (EHLE) in the Netherlands on May 29th, 2019 for Wick, Scotland (EGPC) to prepare the PBY for the transoceanic crossing of the North Atlantic. The crew will depart for Reykjavík, Iceland on May 30th, where it will be on display at the Reykjavik Airshow on June 1st. On Sunday, June 2nd, it will make the crossing to Narsarsuaq, Greenland, then to Goose Bay, Labrador and then make entry into the United States via Bangor, Maine after June 3rd depending on weather conditions.

The route of PBY-5A Bu. No. 2459 from the Netherlands to the United States – May 29 through June 3/4

The route for the journey traces the very routes of convoys this PBY protected during the Battle for the Atlantic early in World War II. It will fly over the barren stretches of open ocean that were the hunting grounds for the German “Wolfpacks” of U-Boats that were tasked with sinking the merchant ships enroute to England carrying critical supplies for the Allied war effort.

Gallery of Images from the Crossing Flight (Will be updated as images are taken)

DAY ONE – LELYSTAD TO WICK, SCOTLAND
The crew was escorted by some “little friends” for their departure from Lelystad and across the North Sea to Wick, Scotland for an overnight to prepare for the transatlantic crossing. The crew received their survival supplies, immersion suits, and full fuel before heading to Iceland.

DAY TWO – WICK, SCOTLAND TO REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
The crew began the long trek across the North Atlantic for their first stop in Reykjavik, Iceland. When we say “long”, we mean it… the PBY only flies at about 110 knots, equivalent to a Cessna 150 single engine aircraft. The PBY and crew will remain overnight in Iceland and the PBY will be on display for the Reykjavik Airshow on Saturday before heading to Narsarsuaq, Greenland.

The World War II History of PBY-5A Catalina Bu. No. 2459

Capable of excellent endurance over the hostile North Atlantic, PBY Catalina aircraft began to protect convoys before aircraft carriers and the evolution of surface ship technology was able to assist them. The PBY type aircraft accounted for 20 German U-Boats destroyed during the war. PBY Bu. No. 2459 uniquely accounted for three destroyed U-Boats and one damaged that never sailed again — it is the only USN multiple U-Boat killer aircraft known. It is also the oldest surviving PBY Catalina and has survived as a flying aircraft since the end of the war.

Catalina Bu. No. 2459 was one of the first five PBY-5A amphibians constructed, and the group was sent to VP-73 as soon as they rolled off the line due to the “extremely hazardous” sea conditions off Iceland. Accepted by the Navy on December 22, 1941, Bu. No. 2459 was the fourth amphibious PBY built for the United States Navy, and was immediately pressed into action upon arrival. Assigned to VP-73 as aircraft number 9, it was the first PBY to sink a U-Boat, when Lt. RB Hopgood’s crew discovered and sunk U-464 on August 20, 1942. The ASW detachment in Iceland had been attempting to sink a U-Boat for some time, and the commander of the base, believing that too many late nights at the “O Club” were responsible for the lack of success, had closed the club. Lt. Hopgood after seeing the crew rescued by a fishing boat, as well the oil slick from the sunken sub sent an “in the clear” radio message that would become iconic in the USN’s patrol community, “Sunk sub, open club!”

That history alone makes Bu. 2459, the “one to have”. However on October 5, 1942 flying with a crew headed by Chief Aviation Pilot M. Luke and flying the last VP-73 convoy protection mission of the deployment, Bu 2459 protecting convoy HX-209 caught U-582 on the surface and sunk it as it was organizing a wolfpack attack. The U-Boat, one of 16 deployed against the convoy was sunk with all hands. This attack brought VP-73’s score to two sunk, both by Bu. 2459. Returning to the USA, about half of VP-73’s allocated PBY aircraft survived the first deployment.

Rebuilt at a depot for continued service it reentered the fleet assigned to VP-84, again in Reykjavik, coded as 84-P-7. Flown by Lt. Joseph Beach on June 24, 1943, it proved it still had the heart of a hunter, and spotted U-194 on the surface south of Iceland. Depth charging the sub on the surface and exchanging gunfire, the two combatants fought to a standstill. After a long surface battle the Captain of U-194, after realizing the PBY would be persistent, dove and attempted to disengage from the Catalina.

What was unknown to the crew at the time was that the PBY carried a new and secret weapon, a “FIDO” acoustic homing torpedo. Though the sub was initially reported as a damaged by the crew not seeing it sink visually, postwar research confirmed that U-194 was destroyed that day in the North Atlantic. Incidentally PBY Bu. 2459 was the second aircraft to sink a submarine using the homing torpedo, a revolutionary development in aircraft based ASW warfare.

The Role of the PBY-5A in the Collings Foundation

The new acquisition of PBY-5A Bu. No. 2459 by the Collings Foundation allows us to place this aircraft in a new role to help tell the important story of U.S. Naval Aviation in the Battle of the Atlantic in the early days of World War II.

Once back in the United States, the aircraft will be sent to restoration for transformation back into the original configuration it flew with in 1942. This means that the modern “clipper bow” will be removed and replaced by an accurate bow turret and the current interior will be transformed into accurate wartime configuration. The aircraft will be repainted as aircraft #9 with VP-73.

The massive mission of relocating the aircraft through the North Atlantic and then restoring the aircraft to wartime configuration requires a considerable sum. Throughout the history of the Collings Foundation, individual donors have stepped up and helped get the job done and once again we are currently asking for donations to help us fulfill the mission and return the most historic, flyable U.S. Navy aircraft from World War II to the United States.

Please consider donating what you can… from $20 to a full plane sponsorship of $7000 to help the cause. If you wish, please use the donation form at the link below or donate by mail to the address below.

Donate online:
Online donation form for the PBY-5A Catalina Fund

Donate by mail:
Mail checks to:

Collings Foundation
Attn: PBY-5A Fund
568 Main Street
Hudson, MA 01749
Phone: 978-562-9182

The Collings Foundation has started the restoration of Fairchild PT-19A serial number 43-31512, one of the last known primary trainer aircraft that served to train the Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African-American military aviators and servicemen that fought in World War II. This historic aircraft will join our Boeing PT-17 Kaydet “Stearman” s/n 41-25454 that also served with the Tuskegee Airmen and will eventually be on display and offering flight training at the Collings Foundation headquarters in Stow, MA. The restoration is expected to take up to two years and has a budget of $150,000 to accomplish – and we need your help to bring this important aircraft back to the skies!

The Tuskegee Airmen were America’s first group of African-American military airmen, serving in the 332nd Fighter Group and 447th Bomber Group of the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII. These young men included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air. They were named after the location where they trained, Tuskegee Airfield near Tuskegee, Alabama.

The Tuskegee Airmen were subjected to racial discrimination, both within and outside the Army. They were denied military leadership roles and skilled training because many believed they lacked qualifications for combat duty. Before 1940, African-Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Civil rights organizations and the press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of the all African-American pursuit squadron. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice and became one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II.

The Collings Foundation acquired the last known remaining Fairchild PT-19A used to train Tuskegee pilots (Serial number 9504AE, 43-31512) and it is currently under restoration to flying condition. It appears, from the records, that this aircraft was manufactured by Aeronca, Middletown OH and delivered to the USAAF on February 6th, 1944. It was assigned to the Primary Pilot Training School, Tuskegee AAF in Alabama on February 12th, 1944.

The restoration project is a 100-point, full restoration that will bring this historic aircraft back to factory-fresh condition. The restoration is being completed by Century Aviation of Wenatchee, WA who also completed our 1909 Curtiss Pusher and is also currently restoring our 1914 Curtiss Model F Flying Boat.

Restoring such an important aircraft is a time-consuming and expensive process. We can only accomplish this through your support and donations – so please help us get the PT-19A flying and “Keep ‘em Flying” for the education of our future generations by generously giving to our Tuskegee Airmen PT-19A Restoration Project Fund.

Current Restoration Photos:

Donate to the Tuskegee Airmen PT-19A Restoration Project Fund

You can help support the restoration project through a tax-deductible donation to our project fund. Our goal for the project is $150,000  – so please give generously!

The Collings Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation (Federal EIN: 04-2658294) and 100% of your donation goes to the restoration project fund. Donations of appreciated stock may also be made – please contact us by phone (below) for more details on doing that.

Donate over $1000 and FLY the PT-19!

Donations over $1000 will include the benefit of getting one of the first flight training positions on the PT-19 when it arrives in Stow, MA with Collings Foundation Executive Director and Flight Instructor Rob Collings. 

Donate Online:

Safe and Secure Online Donations by Credit Card can be made at the form located at this link (processing provided by Blackbaud)

Donate By Mail:

Send checks or money orders along with your contact information to:

Collings Foundation
Attn: PT-19 Restoration Fund
PO Box 248
Stow, MA 01775

Please make checks to “The Collings Foundation” and include “PT-19 Restoration Fund” in the memo.

Donate By Phone:

Call 978-562-9182 and speak to Ryan Keough, Director of Development (rkeough@collingsfoundation.org) to make a donation by credit card or appreciated stock.

The American Heritage Museum at the Collings Foundation is finally taking shape on the Stow / Hudson, MA line after many years of planning and development – as we move forward with a projected late 2018 opening. The ground work for the new access road from 568 Main Street in Hudson, MA is entering the final stages and the groundwork and foundation for the new museum building is quickly coming together for the external structure to be in place before Winter snows arrive.

The American Heritage Museum was made possible through the donation of the extensive Jacques M. Littlefield Collection of military vehicles in 2013. When complete, the world-class museum will feature over 85 unique and rare tanks, vehicles, and artillery from all eras and nations in a one-of-a kind immersive and engaging experience, never before seen in a museum of this type.

Through the Winter and Spring of 2018, the Collings Foundation and Boston Productions, Inc. will install the extensive display environment within the museum, complete with realistic full-size dioramas, stories of personal courage and sacrifice, and rare artifacts telling the story of how the defense of freedom has been shaped by an evolving global consciousness, technological, social, economic and political changes over time, particularly over the last one hundred years.

More updates will come as progress continues! See some of the most updated photos from late September 2017 by clicking on the images below…

A view to the South toward Main Street in Hudson.

Overhead facing Northeast.

Facing Northwest toward the current hangar

The new access road facing toward Main Street in Hudson – this will be complete soon.

Rendering of the main gallery for the American Heritage Museum from the mezzanine South.

Rendering of the main gallery for the American Heritage Museum from the mezzanine center.

Rendering of the main gallery for the American Heritage Museum from the mezzanine at the stairway to the main level.