"Return of the Catalina'' film to have southern premiere in Wanaka
Warbirds Over Wanaka is hosting the South Island premiere of the film Return of the Catalina, which tells the story of top secret long-distance flights to England after the fall of Singapore in World War II.
Warbirds Over Wanaka general manager Ed Taylor says the November 4 screening at Cinema Paradiso brings attention to the unsung war heroes who reconnected Australia and New Zealand to their northern allies.
The screening is a fundraiser for the NZ Catalina Preservation Society, which looks after New Zealabnd's only airworthy flying boat. It has been a crowd favourite at Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshows.
"The Catalina is returning to the airshow in 2016 after a major refurbishment so will be a special sight, especially seeing it landing on the lake," Taylor said.
The Catalina crews provided a vital lifeline for the allied war effort, carrying secret cargo and VIPS across enemy territory in unarmed flying boats for up to 32 hours.
They were in the air for so long they were named Double Sunrise Flights.
Daniel Bunker's feature length documentary follows a band of aviators as they restore and fly a 70-year-old Catalina flying boat from Spain to Australia in order to recognise the unacknowledged war heroes.
First appeared on Stuff.co.nz
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