Seven-year restoration returns the world’s most successful anti-submarine aircraft to authentic World War II configuration ahead of its public debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

One of the most historically significant aircraft of World War II has returned to the sky. The American Heritage Museum’s Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, Bureau Number 2459, successfully completed its first flight following an extensive seven-year restoration on July 6, 2026, at New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

American Heritage Museum President Rob Collings and pilot Joe Scheil conducted the first return-to-service flight, testing the aircraft’s systems and handling characteristics. The Catalina performed exceptionally well, marking a major milestone in an ambitious restoration led by project manager Casey Littrell and the team at American Aero Services.

“We are all very excited that our PBY Catalina is back in the air again,” said Collings, who served as test pilot for the flight. “I was fortunate to be at the helm—she is, after all, a flying boat—last week for her return-to-service flight after a seven-year restoration. It flew great thanks to the hard work of Casey and the team at American Aero!”

Built as the United States entered World War II, BuNo 2459 was among the first five amphibious PBY-5A Catalinas produced and the fourth accepted by the United States Navy. Delivered on December 22, 1941, the aircraft was assigned to Patrol Squadron 73, or VP-73, and sent to Iceland to protect Allied shipping in the North Atlantic.

Flying long and dangerous patrols over some of the world’s most unforgiving waters, BuNo 2459 became the first PBY Catalina credited with sinking a German U-boat. During its remarkable wartime career, the aircraft sank three U-boats and shared credit for the destruction of a fourth—giving it the distinction of being the highest-scoring anti-submarine aircraft in history.

“The crew at American Aero Services has done a remarkable job bringing this historic aircraft back to completely stock condition, just as it flew during World War II,” Collings said. “During its storied career, PBY 2459 sank three U-boats with a shared kill on a fourth.”

The restoration required far more than returning the Catalina to airworthy condition. When the aircraft arrived from Europe, much of its original military equipment was no longer present. The team sourced, restored, recreated, and installed equipment throughout the aircraft using original factory drawings, period photographs, technical documentation, and surviving components.

Its compartments, crew stations, turrets, equipment, markings, and finishes have been restored to represent the aircraft as it appeared during its early wartime service. The result is believed to be the most historically accurate flying restoration of an early-production PBY-5A Catalina completed to date.

Public Debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

Following additional flight testing, BuNo 2459 will begin its journey to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The world’s largest aviation gathering will be the Catalina’s first public event following its restoration.

The aircraft’s scheduled appearances include:

Sunday, July 19: Afternoon arrival in Oshkosh

Monday, July 20–Tuesday, July 21: On display in EAA Warbirds of America’s “Warbird Alley”

Tuesday, July 21 at 1:00 p.m.: Featured in an EAA Warbirds in Review presentation

Wednesday, July 22 at 8:00 p.m.: Opening the night air show in formation with the Red Bull Douglas DC-6 and P-38 Lightning, B-29 Superfortress Doc, and Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

Thursday, July 23–Saturday, July 25: On display at Boeing Square on the main aircraft ramp

“This week, we will be starting our journey to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, and we hope people will come by to see this historic Catalina at its first public event,” Collings said. “We hope to see you there!”

BuNo 2459’s return to flight allows the American Heritage Museum to share its history in a way few traditional museum exhibits can achieve. Through its appearance, sound, movement, and presence in the air, the Catalina serves as a living tribute to the aircrews, maintainers, and support personnel who confronted the German U-boat threat during the Battle of the Atlantic.

The aircraft will eventually become a centerpiece of the American Heritage Museum’s planned Aviation Wing expansion and its Battle of the Atlantic Gallery, where its extraordinary history will help visitors understand the struggle to protect the shipping lanes that sustained the Allied war effort.