1941 Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina: A Historic WWII Aircraft Clinches AirVenture Grand Champion Post 7-Year Restoration
In a remarkable tale of warbird restoration, the painstakingly restored 1941 Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina from the American Heritage Museum has won the prestigious Grand Champion World War II Award at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026. This triumphant win comes just weeks after its maiden flight post a rigorous seven-year restoration.
The aircraft, bearing the Bureau Number 2459 (N459CF), is far from an ordinary warbird. It is among the first five PBY-5A amphibians ever built, accepted by the U.S. Navy on December 22, 1941 — the very day Pearl Harbor was under attack. During WWII, BuNo 2459 achieved the remarkable feat of sinking three German U-boats, sharing credit for a fourth. This feat marked it as the highest-scoring anti-submarine aircraft in history and the first PBY to sink a German U-boat.
The meticulous restoration was undertaken over a span of seven years by American Aero Services of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, under the expert supervision of Casey Littrell. The team was also honored with the coveted Snap-on Golden Wrench Award for their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to historical accuracy. The restoration process necessitated the recreation of original interior fittings using factory drawings, period photographs, and historical documentation, culminating in what experts hail as the most historically authentic Catalina restoration ever accomplished.
The Catalina embarked on its first post-restoration flight on July 6, 2026, and the Grand Champion award was conferred on July 25 during the 73rd edition of EAA AirVenture. The aircraft will continue to be showcased at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh through AirVenture 2027.
Source: Vintage Aviation News – PBY-5A Catalina Named WWII Grand Champion at AirVenture 2026