Catalina Flying Boat set to WOW onlookers with a spectacular
Touch and Go on Lake Illawarra

On Tuesday 23rd April, the Catalina Flying Boat will dazzle spectators of all ages with a series of dramatic touch and go exercises on Lake Illawarra.

As a special lead up event to Wings over Illawarra 2013, this impressive 20 metre aircraft will entertain the crowds with a series of dramatic exercises that will see the aircrafts belly make contact with the water, skimming dramatically across the surface for about 500m and the gracefully rising up into the sky.

The 20 metre Catalina Flying Boat was built in 1945 and served as a US Navy aircraft and was commonly known by the RAAF as 'Black Cats', operating during World War 2. The spectacular touch and go will be a hail back to the past when this plane would sustain long range water take offs with maximum load. 

At 12noon on Tuesday 23rd April the Catalina will approach the water for this spectacular display from either the north-eastern corner conducting two touch and go manoeuvres  towards the south-western corner or vice versa - depending upon the wind.  This event is truly a rare sight and one not to be missed. In addition to this special event, local adventure flight specialists', Southern Biplane Adventures will also perform a spectacular aerobatic display over Lake Illawarra giving a sneak peek of the aerobatic air displays spectators can expect to see at Wings over Illawarra on Sunday 5th May.

The best position from the ground will be at Kanahooka Point, at the end of Kanahooka Road, next to Koonawarra Bay Sailing Club. Bring the family and join us for a BBQ presented by the Scouts for a fun family day.

For further media information or access on the day please contact:

Dana Edwards, publicity de

Ph: 4232 1882/0412 413 417 E: dana@publicityde.com.au

FAST FACTS ABOUT: Wings over Illawarra 2013 will be held on Sunday 5th May at Illawarra Regional Airport.

The theme of Wings over Illawarra 2013 is 'Celebrating Naval Aviation' in honour of the centenary anniversary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet into Sydney.

Matt Hall, Australia's premier aviation performer will open and close the show with a spectacular aerobatics display.

Southern Biplane Adventures will be performing in their 1943 Boeing Stearman 'Lilly Warra' RAAF Roulettes and 'fast  et' will take to the skies joined by modern and vintage aircraft.

The Navy will be showcasing some of its finest assets on the day including Multi Role Helicopter (MRH-90), Navy Squirrel helicopters, Fleet Air Arm Museum static displays and the Royal Australian Navy rock band

The event will showcase a major display of historic flying aircraft, headlined by the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) along with defence aircraft, a classic car and bike display  as well as amusement rides for the kids and steam trains at the Illawarra Light Railway Museum.

For further details on Wings over Illawarra 2013 go to www.woi.org.au