HISTORIC PBY CATALINA AIRLIFTED BY CH-47 CHINOOK FOR MOVE TO MUSEUM

A World War II veteran PBY Catalina flying boat took to the skies over Whidbey Island once more, carried beneath a Washington Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter in a rare and highly symbolic operation. The airlift marked the aircraft’s relocation from downtown Oak Harbor to the new home of the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum, securing a permanent place for one of the Pacific war’s most important patrol aircraft.

WW2’s Best Flying Boat

The aircraft, a PBY-5A Catalina, represents the type that played a critical role in defending the American coastline and tracking enemy submarines during World War II. Whidbey Island became a key base for Catalina operations in 1942, when PBY squadrons were tasked with maritime patrol, search and rescue, and long range reconnaissance across the Pacific Northwest. These aircraft served as the Navy’s forward eyes, hunting submarines, guiding naval forces, and rescuing downed aircrews and sailors.

Combat Veteran

The Catalina moved in this operation has its own wartime history. Built by Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego, it flew patrol missions in Alaska during the war. In November 1943, it was forced to make a water landing off Adak, Alaska after an engine failure, an incident that reflected the harsh and dangerous conditions faced by PBY crews operating in remote northern waters. After overhaul, the aircraft continued flying patrol missions from bases in Washington state, including what is now Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

After the war, the aircraft passed through multiple owners and locations, surviving accidents, storms, and decades of storage. In 2010, it was airlifted to Whidbey Island to become the centerpiece of the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum. For nearly a decade, it stood on display in downtown Oak Harbor, where volunteers restored and preserved the aircraft while sharing its story with the public.

The Final Lift

With the construction of a new museum facility, moving the large flying boat by road posed major risks. The solution was another helicopter lift. After careful preparation and a delayed first attempt, the Chinook successfully carried the Catalina to its new location on January 21.

Now positioned at its permanent home, the aircraft stands as a reminder of the long, quiet war fought over American coastal waters. The Catalina’s new mission is to preserve the history of the WWII patrol crews whose vigilance helped protect the Pacific Northwest and the United States during the war.