Honouring the Catalinas.

Got the service done on the Toyata, and had a quick stop at the hospital to get PJ's leg checked again. Then headed for Bowen to pick up some meat to take to our friend. Whole rumps were $4.99 kg or $6.99 sliced. The butcher also made some awesome sausages of which we picked up a couple of kilos. I wanted to see the re-vamped foreshore at Bowen and I was most impressed.
The foreshore at Bowen has been transformed during the last few years. This was the first time I had seen the Catalina Interpretive Centre. It is alongside the place were the Catalinas were serviced during WWII, before being returned to service. The glass panels have the images of the Catalinas etched into them, and this makes them appear as if they are coming into land in the bay. It was from Bowen that the Catalinas flew from when fighting in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
The Coral Sea Museum is well worth a visit, and tells of Bowen's roll during WWII as a base for the flying boats.
"The Catalina is a long range patrol flying boat, originally designed in 1935. During WWII they were used by almost all Allied forces, including the RAF and RAAF.
Known as the general work horse of the RAAF, the Catalinas were famous for their precision laying of imines in distant water ways and harbours. They were also used on night bombing missions patrols, reconnaissance and rescue missions. Other roles includedtranpsorting Army personnal and their essential supplies to remote loactions behind enemy lines and supply drops to the men known as Coast Watchers who operated in isolated islands providing valuable information on Japaneses ships and aircraft movements"