68" PBY "Catalina" Profile Model kit

This 68" PBY Catalina is the largest-wingspan kit that we offer, and it is a wonderfully easy flyer. It flies like a glider and is capable of finding thermals! The wing is one piece and can be removed. An optional float kit is available for water operation (See details below).

This model is fairly large and is somewhat more complicated to build compared to most of our other models.  Its not hard, but we recommend some modeling experience (perhaps this shouldn't be your first kit). The kit includes all the foam parts needed to build this model, along with a fully detailed construction manual and several parts and accessories such as carbon fiber and parts for the pull-pull control system. The model is not assembled or painted, so the customer needs to supply glue, paint, and other hobby tools, servos, motors, and electronics in order to put it together. This was designed for two geared brushed motors or two 1-oz "blue wonder" brushless motors with 3-bladed 9x7 propellers (motors and props are not included with this kit, but available from Rabid Models).

The modeler can make convincing cowls for this model as shown using 8oz "sour cream cups". The 68" wing is designed to be removeable with two main screws (and the 4 struts can be detached as well). The modeler must supply balsa sticks for the struts. This kit requires a working rudder (3 servos instead of 2 like our other kits). Without a working rudder, its difficult to turn the model due to the long wingspan.

The wing is designed to be rigid in the middle, with flexible outer wing panels. When its flying, the outer part of the wing will bend upwards slightly (and they will droop slightly when its not flying.) 

This model can be converted for water operation with the addition of a "float kit" (available separately) which includes a formed PVC hull, formers, and wingtip floats that can be added to the model during construction, or afterwards. The blue prototype (pictured) was modified to include retractable wingtip floats and a scratch-built "observer's bubble" which are not included with the kit. The PVC foam is meant to be painted on the inside (that way the paint will never be scratched).

There is a really terrific video showing the red+white "firebomber" version showing off at a large indoor venue, the 2008 KIEF. You can see what an exceptionally smooth and easy- flying model this is.

Here's an older video of the original prototype flying indoors at the JR Indoor Festival in 2006, I managed to land it on a small pond.

The PBY model kit is also available in a smaller 38" version, but this one does not have a float kit available.