Photos from the 70th Anniversary Catalina Memorial and Fly-in at Bowen Airport and Bowen Front Beach Saturday

Spectacular weather greeted participants at the 70th Anniversary Catalina Memorial and Fly-in at Bowen Airport on Saturday 17 August.

The vast majority of aircraft touched down at Bowen Airport during the morning, with participants then travelling to the Catalina Memorial on Santa Barbara Parade on the beautiful Bowen waterfront to observe the commemoration ceremony for the lives lost in the 1943 crash of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Catalina A24-24 off the coast of Bowen.

The crash site, approximately 9nm north of Bowen, was not located at the time hence those lost were never found. During World War II Bowen was the site of a Catalina base; the Catalina A24-24 is of special historic significance to Bowen in that it was the first Catalina to arrive in Bowen and is the last remaining, albeit some 40m underwater.

Shane Porteous, best known for playing original character Dr Terence Elliott in the television drama series “A Country Practice”, graciously assisted as event ambassador for the Memorial. Shane Porteous’ father, the late Pilot Officer Stanley John Porteous was one of the 14 men that died in the 1943 Catalina crash. Shane was in attendance at the memorial to honour his father.

Meanwhile, back at Bowen Airport, the Coral Sea Memorial dioramas - proudly displayed by the Bowen Lions Club - were a popular attraction.  The dioramas depict the scene on the Bowen waterfront during the battle in the Coral Sea when the Bowen waterfront was home to a RAAF Catalina Base.  The Memorial can be found in the Bowen Airport terminal building located next to the Aero Club.

Of the aircraft noted arriving at Bowen Airport for the fly-in, there was a good representation from the local Whitsunday Aero Club - including locally-based Cessna 152 VH-VWE.  

The Whitsunday Aero Club was formed in 2011 as a result of the merger between the Airlie Beach Aero Club and the existing Whitsunday Aero Club.  The combined club was relaunched as the Whitsunday Aero Club to bring together the members of both clubs and their enthusiasm to promote, enjoy and share the flying activities’ in the beautiful Whitsundays, Gulf country and the gateway to the outback.  Members are located throughout the region including Bowen, Collinsville, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and Proserpine.

One club aircraft - ICP Savannah VG XL 19-7817 "Cab Sav" - is a regular sight around Central Queensland.

Sleek looking Titan Tornado II 19-1948 was also noted to be part of the Club aircraft.

Other Recreation Aircraft Australia (RA-Aus) aircraft to arrive Bowen were mostly Jabiru type ultralights including Jabiru J170-D 24-7935 and Jabiru J230-D 24-5504.

Some larger aircraft were also present at the Fly-in including a trio of arrivals from the Rockhampton region.  Immaculately presented Cessna A185F VH-PSS from 'The Old Station' farm arrived in company with fellow Raglan-based Cessna 182D VH-RDQ.

Trevor Mills flew his smart little Van's RV-8 VH-YGY to Bowen from Brisbane via Rockhampton.

Gold Coast-based Cirrus SR-20 VH-BZW was in attendance, and was even seen to be taking interested people up for an airborne look over Bowen.

  

Finally, Emerald-based Cessna 172R VH-BVY arrived in the early afternoon from Emerald via Shute Harbour.

In all, a pretty good turn out to what is Bowen Airport's first ever fly-in.  Local enthusiasts are hoping that a Bowen Airport fly-in can become an annual event - so watch this space!

Such a great day in the beautiful mango capital of Queensland - in the top of the spectacular Whitsundays!

My thanks to the Whitsunday Regional Council for their assistance with the Bowen Airport fly-in.