In 1913 the Daily Mail sponsored the Circuit of Britain race. Today, Catalina pilot and organiser of Project Hawker 2013, Jeff Boyling, spoke with Charles Garside, Managing Director of the Daily Mail, who promised support for the 2013 aerial adventure. Best news all week!
Cromarty Firth Port Authority join the growing list of sponsors
The Cromarty Firth Port Authority (CFPA) have joined the list of sponsors supporting the IWM Duxford based Catalina as it flies a Circuit of Britain to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the attempt by Harry Hawker and Harry Kauper in a Sopwith Waterplane. The CFPA is celebrating its own 40th anniversary with various events. Of course the Cromarty Firth was a busy base during WW2 but it has been many years since a Catalina last flew over the waters of the Firth let alone put on an air display.
14 days to go!
Another day of progress. Telephone call with with IAA has resolved a number of issues in the Dublin CTR. The IWM is now listed for charity donations. Press releases being prepared. Fuel plans being finalised. More individual sponsorship has been forthcoming. Lots of emails and phone calls dealt with. A photo shoot for the Catalina is next on the list of jobs to do.
Website updated
The Webmaster was hard at work over the weekend creating a new look. Hopefully, readers / followers will find it easier to view and navigate.
More news from Great Yarmouth
Local reporter, Lauren Rogers, has published some more news about the IWM Duxford based Catalina G-PBYA coming to visit the area on the afternoon of Wednesday 21st. Read all about it on the EDP24 or the Great Yarmouth Mercury24. Great photos of the Sopwith Waterplane on the beach with interested onlookers all around.
21 days to go!
What a day! The decals from the RAFBF arrived by courier today and will be affixed to the aircraft prior to the flight. Other decals are expected. Another council has come on board with sponsorship for the local Control Point display and flight costs. Watch out for a formal announcement. Lots of calls from other parties involved namely CAA, the Garda in Ireland, regional press and Shell all gearing up for this 100th Anniversary of a historic flight. Also found some rare footage of Hawker and seaplane on Southampton Water.
FlyPast Exclusive
The September issue of FlyPast has broken the news with “Catalina to mark Hawker centenary”. Page 7 provides the details plus a great air to air shot of Plane Sailing’s Catalina G-PBYA “Miss Pick Up”.
Route dates and timings
Last week, the route with timings went in to the CAA for flight co-ordination purposes. However, it is time for everyone to start getting ready and planning where best to see the IWM Duxford based Catalina G-PBYA go past. Naturally all is weather dependent and subject to air traffic control (ATC) but the support from National Air Traffic Services (NATS) and local ATC units has been superb given the historic nature of what is planned. To find out more go to the Route page.
Fundraising for charities
The page for charities is now live with the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) listed and one more charity to follow. Any money donated via this page goes to the charity and it is totally separate to any sponsorship to support the Catalina’s flight around the UK.
30 days to go and counting down now!
A day of progress with the air display applications sent off to the CAA and an excellent meeting with Fiona and Laura, Public Relations and Fundraising Managers respectively, at the RAFBF. I had my first lesson on Twitter which challenged the grey cells but never to old to try something so expect some tweets in the coming days. Only diversion was a trip to the Mall Galleries to see the Guild of Aviation Artists, 2013 Aviation Paintings of the Year Exhibition. Great to see the names Sopwith, Hawker and Catalina among the exhibits.
Project Hawker 2013 