World's Largest RC Catalina Flying Boat Built By Stephen Thomas

[@EVISEH]

All those "Armchair Know It Alls" offering their "Expert Advise" here about the camera work and the wisdom of flying in the conditions prevailing on the day, should all bugger off. We should be grateful that Steve choose to film the event in the first place and that he then choose to share that footage on You Tube with the rest of us. Steve, your model is magnificent. You are to be congratulated on what you've achieved!!

[@loddude5706]

I took your advice mate & buggered off . . .

[@74surfboards]

Wow... and I mean WOW! Yes the video quality is not great but who cares... what an achievement!!! 20'8" wingspan RC Consolidated PBY Catalina!!! Good on ya! My father worked for Consolidated Vaultee then Convair then General Dynamics here in San Diego, CA where they designed and built the original PBY's. As a young boy I got to see quite a few remaining PBY's as well as learning the history of this important plane and the role it played particularly in the Pacific Theater of WW II. I've seen the historical film footage of the first PBY flight (from the water in San Diego Harbor)... the ramp where they rolled the sled into the water with the first PBY prototype on it is still there, I drive by it regularly. Seeing this video warms my heart in a special way. Kudos to Steve Thomas and everyone who keeps this important era of aviation history alive with remarkable Warbird RC builds like this one... BRAVO !!! Byron Vista, CA

[@stephenrongo8704]

Forget the quality of the video, this model is a terrific work of mechanics and art. Kudos to all involved.

[@cassis1018]

My dad was a engineer on 1 of those flying around Papua New Guinea. Very nice. I used to giggle away when he spoke the local “Pig English” to me. He flew a Tiger Moth also around there. Under the trees along the rivers. Ahh the good old days. You brought back a lot of good memories of my late dad. Bravo to you. Clue...His nick name was “The Don”. That’s all you get. I still have his pliers that he used all the time. Ahh more great memories.

[@lynbattle2695]

WOW! Having seen photos over the past few years of this model under construction, and hearing of how you used a 'syringe' to squirt dobs of glue - MILLIONS - of them for the 'rivets' - the work and countless hours ( i am sure it ws more than stated!) that went into this project, well done and absolutely delighted to see it fly! I hope you have many, many hours of enjoyment flying this plane.

[@MegaGuitarpicker]

Excellent job on the build and tough flying conditions!

[@hankenissen]

Superb ! This must be THE most spectacular and special model I've found on youtube, to date (and have I seen some...). True high-level piloting skills, and not to forgett guts ! Maidening such a uniqe project, representing such a great amount of work, in winds of 20-25 knots, that's confidence in every aspect ...thanks a lot for sharing, and: Happy landings !

[@tondalayono1]

I thank you Olav for your very kind words. Nice to see responses from those that know what goes into getting models such as the cat off the table and into the air. She really is a joy to fly.

[@FondlesHandles]

Why are there no wing floats?

[@philipbrailey]

Skandranon Banefire Why put me on when there's no water.

[@FondlesHandles]

realism

[@welshpete12]

A remarkable model, beautiful , sounds great in the air too . They just seem to be getting better and better on You Tube !

[@lelandcox4089]

A very unique an multi purpose airplane used in WW2. The history of this plane is fascinating and can be found on KZbin. Great model and looks great flying. One of few planes that did not have flaps. Thanks for sharing!

[@BenoitDusquen]

great plane, great model excellent flying skills specially in these windy conditions. Question : is it fitted with the retractable side hulls for water landing and take off ??

[@dhy5342]

are you going to add operational wingtip floats for water operations?

[@claybryant7684]

Steve, Have a 93 year old PBY pilot in our Legion here in America(York,Nebraska) and need to show him this.Job well done.

[@wntu4]

That's not even my plane but knowing the effort and money that went into it I would absolutely cry if this beauty crashed.

[@georgevantuyl5837]

When I was 10 years old I was playing and swimming in Ft. Gibson Reservoir in Oklahoma. When a Mercury station wagon pulled up to a private boat ramp. A man got out and quickly assembled a very large RC PBY Catalina. Started the engines. Then taxied the plane I to the water. It took off. We were mesmerized by watching it circle above. A small fishing g boat came by trolling. The PBY opened doors underneath it flew over the fishing boat and dripped alkaseltzers on it. We chuckled.

[@WhiteDwarfVR4]

Beautiful aircraft, great work! My only criticism is on the lack of wingtip floats

[@MikeSowsun]

Yes, why were the retractable wingtip floats left off?

[@buddwizr]

Don't know what to add to comments. Great project and superb pilot skills. Beautiful aircraft A really great park flyer. A real big park flyer. Thanks for posting.

[@tomframe2895]

Love this vid. My father was a Radioman First Class on a Cat (Navy) and did rescues in the South Pacific during WWII.🇺🇸

[@blackbirdpie217]

Beginning at 7:40 you can see the very realistic machine cannon recoil. This model must have real guns on board. Excellent!

[@SirRobertofKnoxly]

It has been a long time coming Steve. Congratulations!

[@bernardw4842]

Incredible model, great job! The massive effort really shows, what a result. And as others said, brave to maiden it in those conditions but it's big enough to cope, with a good enough pilot to handle it. Guys, yeah, it was filmed on a cheap camera, yes we know... does it matter? Get over it! I can't believe how much people are bitching about that, when there's a model like that to enjoy watching. To me it's the subject matter that counts, and it looks like it was taken on whatever camera someone had available at the time. So why act like it's a personal offense to you that an interesting video wasn't taken on expensive pro gear by a professional production company? It's a ridiculous criticism. The point of a video like this is for the people who made the model, for their own use, and we're privileged to be able to see it, it's not like they owe us out here a high-grade movie of it. They didn't have to share it at all, I count us all lucky that we even get to see it. A bit of shake and wind noise is no problem, it happens on portable cameras. People take videos of the interesting stuff they do for their own use, and if they're willing to share it online, great, we get to see it. Do you think the videographer doesn't *know* it's only a cheap camera and mic? Hell my own RC video was also done on a

[@bearbon2]

Great day for a maiden flight. That's a huge investment to risk flying in typhoon.

[@adrianlarkins7259]

I would never risk a maiden with that wind. Proportionally to the full size, that's the equivalent to a bloody hurricane. They got away with it but.........?

[@Wildstar40]

Yeah if that was a real PBY and if the weather was to scale of the weather on this video then that landing is what my dad would have called a brown socks & underwear landing. They came so close to losing it but thankfully it did not crash.

[@Wildstar40]

That is a real nice model you made. The PBY is one of my all time favorite aircraft and is my number 1 most favorite flying boat.

[@fairwinds610]

Had to mute the sound; couldn't take all that wind-noise.

[@davidbamford4721]

A breathtaking model of my favourite aeroplane! I was surprised that the pilot didn’t bring it in to landing heading into that strong wind. I would have liked to see it wearing RAAF insignia, as Cats did sterling work with our Air Force.

[@sandybanjo]

Very skillful pilot! Great airplane! Those winds would be a challenge for even the full scale version , especially for the pilots!

[@kutgenoot]

Awesome landing in this windy conditions, beautiful craftsmanship. cheers from Holland!

[@nicholasbell9017]

That is amazing! Can it operate on water too?

[@UKPete]

Fantastic craftmanship on the build, it looks amazing. Well done for flying in that wind also! is there an newer video of this plane flying?

[@jeancarton1611]

bow and hats off for the builder and pilot!! superbly done sir!!

[@skypilot23]

with all that work I hope you flew it many more times- on water yet?

[@mrgarvarno]

Awsome job Steve. After losing your other lovley lady, I think it took real guts to do the test fly in conditions like that. Maybe bring her down to Shepparton Mammoth next year, we would love to see you at the event again.Cheers

[@royalanania3306]

She is a true labor of Love, what a work of art. Majestic true to it's designer and builder. CONGRATULATIONS.!!!!!! Ok

[@ImAdapt73]

Is she Sea worthy? Maybe a smooth pond? I love that plane. Great job!

[@Hootysdad]

Does not look to me like it is meant to go into the water. No wing time floats.

[@cmckenn]

Was there a crosswind across the runway that day requiring a crab maneuver ? Also I notice on the wing tips it looks like provision has been made to add the floats. Have those been added and have you tested it on water ?

[@BobbyTucker]

I'm only into this video 2:48 and I'm impressed with this plane, extremely enjoying the professionalism. The landing gear is so realistic. Please forgive me if I'm sounding like an idiot bit this plane is very nice, now I'll get back to watching the video. lol.

[@StonyRC]

Christ almighty, what was used to film this - a bloody toaster????

[@bigtoe1111]

i doubt it had blood on it.

[@sunsetarts]

This video should come with a warning for those prone to motion sickness.

[@ihaveone6086]

That's why God gave us brains to invent a tripod.... freehand with that amount of zoom just impossible to handle the camera and keep the subject centered....

[@johnathonburrell9265]

sunsetarts I know right 😵😵😵🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@robertthorpe2179]

WW2 gun camera.

[@buck1936]

An incredible achievement you did a magnificent job

[@gregghatfield9946]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻thanks for trying to keep the plane in center of screen ,,,, AGAIN

[@eligebrown8998]

Great looking Catalina. I was nervouse watching you guys fly that,lol. I thought the wind would make it crash.

[@SirRobertofKnoxly]

Thanks for letting me be part of it.

[@chordmerchant7787]

Spectacular! I love PBY's. I got a chance to fly in one of the few remaining Catalinas back in the early 90's while working on a Philips Razor commercial, that was to be aired in Europe. I was right up under the wing in that fold down jump seat! I haven't experienced anything in my life since to top that day. You have built and flown a wonderful scale Cat here, and she looks great on the ground as well as in the air. The only thing I would change is a refit with a couple of 7-9 cylinder radials. Oh man, what a sound! How about another video from the water? Thanks for a wonderful 12:11 of one of my alltime favorite aircraft.

[@georgepowell9886]

very nice build guys!!

[@ryanlemons3255]

so how much was the materials alone cost? i have a cd plans for one lol

[@SenorSpode]

I was thinking your guys' weather there really sucked for late May, but it finally hit: your winter was approaching. Personally, I wouldn't've taken her out on such a gusty day, but you have the flying experience and you pulled it off rather well. I'll just stick to Flight Sim, LOL. Congratulations!

[@MikeSowsun]

Why are there no retractable wingtip floats? Even if you don’t plan to operate on water, the wing doesn’t look right without them?

[@BobbyTucker]

You're a lot braver than me, the winds would have been enough to abort the flight for me. Strong crosswinds. I suppose that's what separates the men from the boys. lol. Very good maiden flight, I've clicked on 'like' and subscribed, I look forward to seeing more video in the future.

[@tomsolleder4015]

$50,ooo toy plane....$5 toy camera.........prettiest plane ever made ,real shame the video doesn't show it....still get a thumbs up...

[@wn6904k]

Any water flights yet ????????

[@robertcornelius3514]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the wing span looks to be 16' and not 20'.

[@DEeMONsworld]

missing retractable tip floats? to be added later? Will it ever be amphibious?

[@PatBALEX]

WoW!!! Great job..Beautiful plane..There must have been a cross-wind, I thought it was going to cart-wheel on landing...But you handled it..Good job...

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

must have a pair of brass kahunas to fly that beauty on a gusty day like that...still, beautiful kraft though...the wingspan shorter to scale on that cat?

[@ur_pilot_4_2day82]

Absolutely fenominal.

[@dustin6146]

3000 hours of work into it! Now that's some dedication!

[@michaelchartres]

Fantastic. Well done and quite brave to take a maiden flight with the wind speed as it was. That's what I think anyway..

[@cbwilson2398]

Judging by wingspan, this model is approximately an impressive 1:5 scale. Wow.

[@jd70HJ19]

Awesome model , it deserved a better audio track than this videographer could manage at such a crucial showing

[@Conn653]

I suggest adding retractable wing-tip floats. Then it is capable of water landings. As it is now, no water - only land runways.

[@pumatraca]

What thrust lines on engines you used?

[@DFX2KX]

That is one VERY big PBY model. very well done. Bet the landing made a few heartbeats skip! I have to admit, the Cat is one of my WWII favs, aircraft wise.

[@s1610110]

Very impressive Steve, Well Done Col

[@sammysouth8372]

Gorgeous aircraft. Well done.

[@JayHawke84]

Wonderful model of the Convair Catalina, a great tribute to those who served RAF costal command and helped win the battle of the Atlantic. Convair Catalinas also help in the sinking of the Bismarck

[@Hootysdad]

I'm sorry.......but the PBY was built by Consolidated not Covair.

[@johnbyrne6413]

awesome guys .brilliant beautiful model

[@gogleplussucks2896]

Fantastic! Thanks for posting. What's next? :) RichE San Diego, CA

[@jimwilliams3517]

I would think the maiden flight of such an impeccable aircraft; that obviously, required fastidious craftsmanship, Job-ish patience, and engineering knowledge; would deserve, if not demand, the use of a superior quality, technically advanced, or at least a modern video camera that is able to focus and record motion with sufficient clarity to present a pleasant experience to the viewer rather than, as so eloquently expressed by StonyRC, a bloody toaster! Wonderful aircraft though, from what I could make out.

[@SupernalOne]

will it take off and land in water?

[@funnyrabbitflyer6855]

Where’s the water landing? You in like Nebraska?

[@R3AP79]

Beautiful build. Truly.

[@rapidrrobert4333]

Who in their correct mind would down vote this? Excellent, thank you.

[@wb6wsn]

RapidRobot: Can you possibly separate the effort of building the model from the recording of its maiden flight? It is incredible that 3000 hours of effort were put into the model, yet the video is shot with poor equipment, an inexperienced photographer, bad camera settings, and massive wind noise. The dislikes are for the video, not the model.

[@rapidrrobert4333]

Ed .... Can you read? Better yet, can you comprehend what your eyes pass over? I have invested many hours building models, and my comment was: "Why would anyone downvote this?" Yet you attack me for what you incorrectly interpreted as an insult to the builder? You need help my friend.

[@wb6wsn]

Roboto: Yes, I can read, and I was explaining to you why anyone would dare to make you sad by downvoting this video. To be blunt, the downvotes are for the VIDEO (its many poor qualities as well as lousy audio) and not for the MODEL (which obviously gets you all wet and squishy). You are not my friend, and it is you who needs whatever help can be poured into your skull. If you are trying to tell anyone that this video is "excellent," be prepared to be laughed at in perpetuity.

[@rapidrrobert4333]

At least you should be happy that they let you use a computer in your ward.

[@wb6wsn]

Robutthead: And now we see what's at the core of your soul. You cannot convince me, you fail at insulting me, so now you try to allude that I am incompetent. This is a fairly common progression for low information content KZbin shitposters, and in a way, I'm sad to see you degenerate so quickly in a flame-out of projection. This has now become boring, so unless you can come up with something new and witty, I'll leave you to mumble to yourself. Hmmm, Butthead, are you trying to hide that YOU were the videographer of this opus?

[@ROCKSTARCRANE]

Incredible piloting!! That crosswind would be like 100 kts in scale!!!

[@geisler007ful]

wow i remember building the landing gear for CJM for this never go to see the plane very cool

[@psblad2667]

Fantastic model!!! Why can´t photogaphers not learn to protect the mic from wind???

[@trinescape]

What a fantastic plane my grandfather was in the Aussie airforce in Darwin in ww2 and worked with the catalina's the only thing that spoiled this post was the shocking camera work ,such a pity but great aircraft well done

[@Islacrusez]

A beautiful aircraft and a beautiful representation of it... However, I am a little puzzled at the engine choice - with this much work gone into the creation, why not give it a Moki 5-cylinder radial (or any other make of the same), and take it to a whole new level with that beautiful sound?

[@sgtgrash]

Absolutely gorgeous model, shame about the soundtrack. What's needed here are a couple of Moki radials to fully complete the picture ;)

[@ralphmichaelsneed6059]

Wow Great Looking Catalina !!

[@frednel4326]

I love the pby catalina and this model has all the qualities of the real thing..nearly copped it in the end wid landing there lol but well done as it was verry windy and the huge wing span grabs a cross wind lift easly 👍

[@abc123546879]

Camera man is a little rocky. Great take off. Great Catalina.

[@propjam2]

ACTION MAN, brings to you the PBY Catalina. save your marooned soldier at sea! Pilots and Rubber dingy pack sold separately

[@h8mail1]

Could that have possibly been filmed on a worse camera? I hope with all the effort put into preparation, someone actually got some decent footage of it.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Got to love you Aussies The authorities are here to watch you - no worries. Bit of a hurricane blowing - no worries. Worst footage since the bigfoot film - no worries. Beautiful build mate, I hope she's still airworthy. From a jealous pom.

[@aussiesam01]

Is that the new tug for the club?

[@randallhuston1466]

A ten thousand dollar plane filmed by a 10 dollar camera.

[@Tuner010]

If I ever get one mine will have an onboard camera and look like it’s ready to take off loaded and built for water.

[@jlsagely6892]

Does it even float?

[@klausalbrecht4732]

such a lovely Catalina filmed very unsharp and unprof. Better capt nxt time!!! good luck!

[@andygreen9175]

Fantastic catalina! my grandfather was crew on them in ww2 based in Darwin Australia ,excellent job building &flying her well done pity about quality of video though

[@qamarmuhammad7064]

Nice PBY, kept hoping for a water landing though.

[@BushPilot444]

Great job all around, except for the video quality. Can't you Aussie's afford an HD camera. You can get a Mobius, if nothing else, for $80.00 US you know.

[@Glasher1]

+BushPilot444 Or for just a few pennies (probably have items already on hand though), taped a piece of foam over the mic.

[@bigbob1699]

What happens to this hobby if all the ground crews unionize ?

[@matthewbrothers2823]

Will it float or no?

[@mikehale4731]

USS Chandeleur (AV-10) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia --- Dad passed a few years ago, during WWII he was stationed aboard this "seaplane tender", he was a flight engineer on a PBY serving in the South Pacific, I have the ships book, sadly he left the ship before the book was compiled. Dad told me many stories and this is where he learned to fly.... Lots of memories..... beautiful plane.....

[@MartyLJ57]

Sounds like the real thing. Awesome

[@russellwilliams1071]

Fantastic SIR....😎😎😍😍😍

[@yourhandlehere1]

Needs to work on water. Very nice work, perfect so far. Just one of my pet peeves. A flying boat should....boat.

[@marcosramos4596]

It's Beautiful but it needs a 🇲🇽 Flag on it! Imagine this off the coast of Cancun!!

[@ETKSauron]

The only thing i wished they had done differently is use the large model radial engines in this bird. Would have sounded more authentic. Still, an epic build

[@710thOfficial]

Awesome!

[@montiraruba2831]

You can take an old sock and put the camera inside with the lens sticking out to cut out on the wind noise. Just an old trick.