A big cat... 1/32 Catalina

[tomprobert]

Howdy guys and gals!

 

Here's the next big one... the ID Models (now Tigger) 1/32 scale PBY Catalina. I did pledge to take a break from big vacs once I'd completed my Stirling, but they're like a drug and I am an addict so here we go again 

 

As per usual with kits like this, you get the basic shell and the rest is up to the builder. The outline shapes look good, and it's certainly a decent starting point to recreate one of Consolidated's finest. Let's have a look what you get in the box...

 

Fuselage:

 

 

The upper wing, as well as detail parts such as the stabilisers and out-rigger floats:

 

 

Outer lower wing sections and engine nacelles plus transparencies:

 

 

Multiple copies of clear parts in case of the inevitable muck ups:

 

 

There is a replacement fin and rudder to make the tall-tailed versions if one so wishes:

 

 

And that's about it!

 

I haven't decided on a variant yet or whether to go for beaching gear or the amphibious version - either way I've got quite a task (and probably a couple of year's worth of modelling) ahead of me, but that's all part of the fun!

 

 

The first plastic was cut today, so I'll keep you updated as and when I have something decent to show.

 

More when there's more!

Tom

Edited November 16, 2025 by tomprobert

[alain11]

you are a brave man !why do you want to hurt you ? ....i am joking , I admire your ... pugnacity 

[nmayhew]

Tom you are a machine!!

 

💪😎

[Kenneth Joy]

WOW!

[Out2gtcha]

Another tremendous journey started!

[mozart]

I just know this is going to be fab-u-lous! Well done Tom! 

[scvrobeson]

Another amazing journey to follow along. You certainly are a glutton for a challenge with these big vacs. 

 

 

 

Matt 

[Anthony in NZ]

Oh my word...I cant wait!

[LSP_Kevin]

No rest for the wicked, eh Tom?

 

Kev

[Shoggz]

So looking forward to following this. 

[geedubelyer]

1 hour ago, Shoggz said:

So looking forward to following this. 

 

Move over on the comfy seats... 

[jcweston351]

Will be watching this one with interest...  Will be great to see how you work with this one.  I like the Catalina, has a strong affiliation to Australian aviation history.

[tomprobert]

17 hours ago, alain11 said:

you are a brave man !why do you want to hurt you ? ....i am joking , I admire your ... pugnacity 

 

15 hours ago, scvrobeson said:

Another amazing journey to follow along. You certainly are a glutton for a challenge with these big vacs. 

 

 

 

Matt 

Ha ha, thanks chaps! I just couldn't stay away for the lure of the vacformed plastic - resistance was futile 

 

13 hours ago, LSP_Kevin said:

No rest for the wicked, eh Tom?

 

Kev

Something like that, Kev! Still, at least this will keep me off the streets for a while...

 

2 hours ago, jcweston351 said:

Will be watching this one with interest...  Will be great to see how you work with this one.  I like the Catalina, has a strong affiliation to Australian aviation history.

Thank you - and hopefully it won't disappoint. I'm mulling over schemes at the moment - I have found some lovely Aussie birds but I am leaning more to a RCAF machine in the temperate sea colours, or perhaps a 1941 US Navy version with the two tone blue/grey camo and neutrality stripes on the rudder. I like the PBY-5A version so this will narrow things down somewhat, but I don't have to make a definitive decision for a while yet. 

 

Work so far has been focusing on the wing - here's the upper section on an A3 cutting mat:

 

 

It's big old brute!

 

I've been working out the position of the panel detail and have begun the long task of scribing on all the detail:

 

 

It'll certainly keep me busy for a while...

 

More when there's more!

Tom

[Phartycr0c]

Great chatting to you about Catalina Stuff at Telford Tom, as you know, Im bottling out and building a cat via the easier route of the HPH offering which will hopefully make an appearance at some point. 

 

Having seen your Stirling in the flesh I know this will be an absolute gem when built an I am looking forward to progress as it happens. Can you DM me your number so I can send you some phots of the HPH build as it progresses fr the interior detail and suchlike. 

[Rainer Hoffmann]

I'm not much of a prop guy, but there are exeptions. And the Catalina certainly is one! I'll be following for sure!

 

Cheers

Rainer