Albatross at Biscarrosse-Parentis

[DavidLegg]

A few weeks ago, we took Catalina G-PBYA down to Biscarrosse south of Bordeaux for some concentrated water training on the lake there. The actual training was packed into three days during which we accomplished 61 water landings. Normally when we are down there we park the Catalina overnight on the hardstanding of the old trans-Atlantic flying boat base at Hourtiquets but this year the appropriate official of the military base it now forms part of was not around to give the necessary permissions. Instead, we parked overnight at the nearby Biscarrosse-Parentis airfield. Whilst nosing around we discovered the former Italian Air Force HU-16A MM.50-180/15-6 dismantled behind a hangar. It is in store for the Biscarrosse Musee de l'Hydraviation.

[MrWidgeon]

Nice find David, glad to see they'll have one on display eventually.

Bill

[DavidLegg]

During another Biscarrosse trip in Catalina G-PBYA this September we found that the Albatross has now been moved under cover at Biscarrosse-Parentis airfield and is now being worked on by a team of apprentices as some sort of training scheme. Eventually it will go to the excellent seaplane museum in Biscarrosse.

[MrWidgeon]

Excellent news David, Thanks for the update.

Bill