Rare aircraft joins museum's collection

PORT CLINTON — A piece of history landed at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport. A vintage PBY-6A Catalina aircraft is the newest addition to the Liberty Aviation Museum's collection. The 77-year-old aircraft flew from Texas on Tuesday, where it was previously owned by the Mid America Flight Museum. PBY Catalinas were primarily used by the Navy during World War II. The aircrafts were used as a long-range bomber, an anti-submarine weapon, convoy escort and for search and rescue missions. "It is a piece of working, living and breathing history that changed the world," said James Priebe, communications and marketing coordinator at the museum. The PBY Catalina could fly non-stop more than 3,000 miles. The aircraft is also amphibious, meaning it can land or take off on water. The specific PBY Catalina at the museum was built in 1945 in New Orleans, Priebe said. Similar aircrafts were built in Canada and Russia. "There are only 72 known PBY craft in existence — 35 are static displays, 20 are undergoing restoration, only 17 are operational worldwide," Priebe said. "This allows us to empower our PBY as a unique ambassador of our museum to regional airshows." After assessing the aircraft, the museum is planning a series of upgrades that will take place during the coming months. The PBY Catalina is now the largest aircraft in the museum's collection. A majority of those aircrafts were built with a wingspan of 104 feet. The second biggest aircraft at the museum is its B25 "Georgie's Gal" that has a 68-foot wingspan. The museum's collection varies week to week because it frequently shares aircraft from other boutique museums. "What makes us unique, and I believe more relevant, is that all our completed artifacts — whether they be airplanes, automobiles, tanks, jeeps or boats — are working craft," Priebe said. "All of them are fully operational. Of course, weaponry does not function." People can see the PBY Catalina by visiting the Liberty Aviation Museum during business hours. Fun facts Year built: 1945 City built: New Orleans, LA Length: 104 feet Previous owner: Mid America Flight Museum in Texas