Catalina Air Display over the Cromarty Firth
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Circuit of Britain Race for Seaplanes, a Catalina G-PBYA from the Imperial War Museum in Duxford will be performing an air display over the Cromarty Firth on Thursday (22 August) afternoon.
The seaplane, operated by Plane Sailing Air Displays Ltd, is visiting the Highlands following the flight path of Australian aviation pioneers Harry Hawker and Harry Kauper who took off from Southampton in August 1913 flying a Sopwith Waterplane.
The 70 year old Catalina has a WW2 service record and pilot Jeff Boyling will be at the controls as it takes to the skies of the Cromarty Firth. He said: “Project Hawker 2013 is all about commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the attempt by the great Australian pilot Harry Hawker accompanied by his mechanic Harry Kauper, to fly a Circuit of Britain.
“When they visited in 1913 there were tents on the southern shore at Cromarty for the Naval Air Station and this is where Harry Hawker brought the Sopwith Waterplane ashore. I’ve actually seen old film footage of him arriving so I am really looking forward to marking the 100th anniversary with a visit to the Cromarty Firth.”
At around 2.45pm the distinctive plane will fly into the Cromarty Firth and orbit Invergordon before performing a display between Nigg Ferry and the Sutors. At 3pm it will return to fly over Invergordon and Evanton before over flying Dingwall and then the village of Dores as it makes its way down the Great Glen to Fort William where it is expected at approximately 3.35pm. After leaving the Highlands it will overfly the Highland Games which will be taking place in Oban before continuing on its journey around the rest of the country.
The visit is being supported by The Highland Council. Black Isle Councillor and local Historian, David Alston is delighted the Catalina will be performing the air display over the backdrop of Cromarty and the Sutors.
He said: “Many people may not realise that Cromarty, and the Cromarty Firth, played an important role in aviation history. It is very appropriate, that 100 years after Harry Hawker flew his Sopwith into the firth, we will have this chance to see the flight repeated by an historical aircraft, which is the oldest airworthy seaplane in the UK. I hope as many people as possible take this unique opportunity to come and see the air display. There are lots of good vantage points both on the Black Isle and in Easter Ross and the stunning scenery will make the display even more poignant and memorable."